Dangers of Alcohol

ALCOHOL

Ms. StunkardDecember 15, 2006

Street Names•Booze•Hooch•Liquor•Gut rot•Cold one•Swill•Cocktail

Alcohol is a Depressant.

Alcohol is swallowed as a liquid.

People drink alcohol to…

• Feel more relaxed• Look cool• Forget problems• Join the party• Become intoxicated• Have fun during the

holidays• Enjoy sporting events

Alcohol is made from fruits, vegetables and

grains.• Grapes• Apples, pears,

peaches, plums, bananas, pineapple

• Juniper berries• Corn• Molasses or sugar cane• Barley, hops, malt• Rice

Immediate Effects• Blurred vision• Slurred speech• Impairs motor

coordination• Increased heart beat• Lowers body

temperature• Vomiting• Hangover• Alcohol poisoning

(death)

Long Term Effects on the Body

•Brain damage•Heart disease•Stomach ulcers•Liver disease

“cirrhosis”•Osteoporosis•Muscle Weakness•Weight gain

Stages of Cirrhosis

Alcoholism

A physical and mental need for

alcohol that turns into a

progressive and chronic disease.

Car accidents are the major cause of teenage deaths (ages 13-19) in the

U.S.

Four teenagers died in this

alcohol related accident.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A woman who drinks alcohol when she is pregnant may cause permanent damage to her developing baby. Babies born with FAS suffer from a group of birth defects that may include physical and mental problems.

Interesting Fact: Prohibition

From 1920-1933 it was

illegal to make or consume

alcohol in the United States.

Alcohol: A Danger for Teens• Nearly 50% of all teen suicide victims

drank alcohol at the time of their death.• Drinking alcohol is the leading factor in

unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

• About 1/3 of crimes committed by youth are related to alcohol consumption.

• Almost 1/3 of all traffic deaths involving people under 25 are related to alcohol.

Where to Get Help?

• www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

• www.al-anon.alateen.org

• www.bettyfordcenter.org

• Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services

1-800-515-DARS

Bibliography

• Merki, Mary B. Teen Health Course 2. New York, NY: Glencoe, 1996.

• www.dancesafe.org

• www.drugfree.org

• www.co.mohave.az.us

Please never get in a car when you or

someone else has been drinking!

Talk to your parents. In case this happens you know what to do.

Don’t be a statistic.