Alcohol
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21.....However, according to studies, 80% of High School students have tried alcohol at least once. We all like to kick back, relax, clear our heads, and chill when we can. But do we really need alcohol to help us do those things???
Upon starting to drink, you may feel relaxed, happy, sociable, confident, etc. Those feelings, however, may progress to more negative feelings and behaviors. Alcohol consumption leads to impaired thinking, poor judgement, depression, decreased ability to control motor functions, slowed reflexes, and reduced coordination. Not to mention, drinking too much- whether on a single occasion or over time, can have serious effects on your health.
Alcohol use has been linked to violent behavior, unprotected sex, sexual assault, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, injury, domestic violence, drowning, etc. Is the short amount of time "feeling good" really worth all of those risks? Let's take a moment to learn exactly what alcohol can do to your body & life, other things you can do to relax and have fun that do not involve alcohol, and how to say "no" to alcohol....
Effects Alcohol can have on the body.
Liver- Hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
Brain- Memory loss, sleep problems, impaired thinking, poor judgement, depression, anxiety, lethargy, inability to concentrate, decreased ability to control motor functions, alcohol addiction, and reduced coordination.
Breasts- Breast cancer.
Skin- Warm flushed skin, dehydration, and an increase in the appearance of fine lines.
Stomach- Ulcers, bleeding of the stomach, and anemia.
Reproductive Organs- Lowered testosterone, testicular shrinkage, and impotence in males. Wacked menstrual cycles and infertility in females.
Lungs- A small amount of alcohol speeds up respiration (breathing) rates. Increased alcohol consumption lowers it, possibly to very risky levels.
Pancreas- Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, swollen abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.
Heart- Stroke, hypertension, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol , inflammation of the heart muscle, blood clots, and irregular heartbeat.
Bones- Alcohol consumption flushes calcium from the bones, which can cause bone deterioration, increased fracture risk, and osteoporosis.
Nervous System- Blurred vision, slurred speech, decreased reaction time, impaired memory, weakened muscle. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause a condition known as neuropathy (feelings of numbness, burning, pain, and weakness in the hands and feet.)
Every year in the United states, roughly 5,000 teens die from alcohol related injuries. This includes:
The impression is that drinking is "cool" but in reality, it can make you look really stupid and cause you to do very embarrassing things. Puking everywhere, peeing yourself, stumbling & falling, slurring, etc. Not to mention it increases your risk of unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and sexual abuse. People do things, when under the influence of alcohol, that they would not normally do.
There are tons of other (SAFE) ways to have fun and relax, that do not include alcohol, (tobacco, or drugs) We all find relaxation in different activities, but some of these may include: reading, writing, yoga, going for a walk, cooking, meditation, photography, listening to music, playing a musical instrument, cleaning, swimming, hot shower or bath, napping, singing, massage, volunteering, etc. Some fun activities that you can do with your friends, that do not include alcohol, (tobacco, or drugs) include: sports, music, games, concerts, movies, amusement parks/festivals/fairs, working out, shopping, etc.
How to say "No thanks" to alcohol
Different strategies for turning down alcohol work for different people, do what works for you and what you are comfortable with. No one, and I repeat, NO ONE should force you into drinking alcohol or pressure you to do so. A true friend would never ask you to do something you are not comfortable with. Below are some examples of ways you can refuse alcohol:
"No thanks, I'm driving."
"No thanks, I want to keep a clear head- I have a big test tomorrow."
"No thanks, I think I've had enough tonight."
"No thanks, I don't like hangovers!"
"No thanks, I don't drink."
"No thanks, I want to be ready for my game tomorrow."
"No thanks, my mom/dad/coach/etc would kill me."
"My mom/dad/etc has started smelling my breath & clothes when I come in, I can't."
You can also volunteer to be the designated driver, if you have your drivers license.
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21.....However, according to studies, 80% of High School students have tried alcohol at least once. We all like to kick back, relax, clear our heads, and chill when we can. But do we really need alcohol to help us do those things???
Upon starting to drink, you may feel relaxed, happy, sociable, confident, etc. Those feelings, however, may progress to more negative feelings and behaviors. Alcohol consumption leads to impaired thinking, poor judgement, depression, decreased ability to control motor functions, slowed reflexes, and reduced coordination. Not to mention, drinking too much- whether on a single occasion or over time, can have serious effects on your health.
Alcohol use has been linked to violent behavior, unprotected sex, sexual assault, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, injury, domestic violence, drowning, etc. Is the short amount of time "feeling good" really worth all of those risks? Let's take a moment to learn exactly what alcohol can do to your body & life, other things you can do to relax and have fun that do not involve alcohol, and how to say "no" to alcohol....
Effects Alcohol can have on the body.
Liver- Hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
Brain- Memory loss, sleep problems, impaired thinking, poor judgement, depression, anxiety, lethargy, inability to concentrate, decreased ability to control motor functions, alcohol addiction, and reduced coordination.
Breasts- Breast cancer.
Skin- Warm flushed skin, dehydration, and an increase in the appearance of fine lines.
Stomach- Ulcers, bleeding of the stomach, and anemia.
Reproductive Organs- Lowered testosterone, testicular shrinkage, and impotence in males. Wacked menstrual cycles and infertility in females.
Lungs- A small amount of alcohol speeds up respiration (breathing) rates. Increased alcohol consumption lowers it, possibly to very risky levels.
Pancreas- Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, swollen abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.
Heart- Stroke, hypertension, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol , inflammation of the heart muscle, blood clots, and irregular heartbeat.
Bones- Alcohol consumption flushes calcium from the bones, which can cause bone deterioration, increased fracture risk, and osteoporosis.
Nervous System- Blurred vision, slurred speech, decreased reaction time, impaired memory, weakened muscle. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause a condition known as neuropathy (feelings of numbness, burning, pain, and weakness in the hands and feet.)
Every year in the United states, roughly 5,000 teens die from alcohol related injuries. This includes:
- 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes.
- 1,600 deaths from homicides.
- 1,200 deaths from alcohol poisoning, falls, burns, and drowning.
- 300 deaths from suicides.
The impression is that drinking is "cool" but in reality, it can make you look really stupid and cause you to do very embarrassing things. Puking everywhere, peeing yourself, stumbling & falling, slurring, etc. Not to mention it increases your risk of unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and sexual abuse. People do things, when under the influence of alcohol, that they would not normally do.
There are tons of other (SAFE) ways to have fun and relax, that do not include alcohol, (tobacco, or drugs) We all find relaxation in different activities, but some of these may include: reading, writing, yoga, going for a walk, cooking, meditation, photography, listening to music, playing a musical instrument, cleaning, swimming, hot shower or bath, napping, singing, massage, volunteering, etc. Some fun activities that you can do with your friends, that do not include alcohol, (tobacco, or drugs) include: sports, music, games, concerts, movies, amusement parks/festivals/fairs, working out, shopping, etc.
How to say "No thanks" to alcohol
Different strategies for turning down alcohol work for different people, do what works for you and what you are comfortable with. No one, and I repeat, NO ONE should force you into drinking alcohol or pressure you to do so. A true friend would never ask you to do something you are not comfortable with. Below are some examples of ways you can refuse alcohol:
"No thanks, I'm driving."
"No thanks, I want to keep a clear head- I have a big test tomorrow."
"No thanks, I think I've had enough tonight."
"No thanks, I don't like hangovers!"
"No thanks, I don't drink."
"No thanks, I want to be ready for my game tomorrow."
"No thanks, my mom/dad/coach/etc would kill me."
"My mom/dad/etc has started smelling my breath & clothes when I come in, I can't."
You can also volunteer to be the designated driver, if you have your drivers license.