What is alcohol?       Goto Top

Chemically, it is C2H5OH, or ethyl alcohol. a colorless liquid with a sharp, burning taste. Medically, it is a depressant. a drug that slows the activity of the brain and the spinal cord.

How dangerous is alcohol?       Goto Top

Alcohol is a very dangerous DRUG; the most abused drug in the United States today.

What does alcohol do?       Goto Top

• When a person drinks, alcohol rapidly enters the bloodstream and circulates to all parts of the body within a few minutes. Absorption is slowed by food in the stomach.
• Alcohol reaches the brain and “knocks out” control centers, causing intoxication.
• The body then burns the alcohol; it takes about one hour for the body to burn the alcohol in one average drink.**

**One average drink means: 

• 12 ozs. Of beer (5% alcohol)
• 5 ozs. Of wine (12% alcohol)
• 1 ½ ozs. Of whiskey (80 proof, 40% alcohol)
• They all contain approximately .06 oz. of alcohol.

How long does it take to sober up?       Goto Top

It takes at least one hour for each drink consumed. Such “remedies” as black coffee, cold showers and fresh air have no effect on blood alcohol content. Similarly, drinking quickly or “gulping” drinks results in rapid intoxication.

There are 2 kinds of drinkers: Those who drink responsibly and those who have a problem.

• Responsible drinkers drink along with other activities, such as at celebrations.
• Problem drinkers drink to escape problems or turn off painful feelings of loneliness, insecurity, guilt, etc.
• Responsible drinkers drink only with others.
• Problem drinkers may drink alone, and at regular times of the day, such as in the morning or after dinner.
• Responsible drinkers avoid intoxication by drinking slowly, with food in the stomach and by paying close attention to their reactions.
• Problem drinkers use alcohol as a substitute for close relationships or challenging work, drinking to excess or until they pass out or become sick or both.

What causes alcoholism?       Goto Top

Experts believe that genetic factors make certain people more vulnerable alcoholism.

Environmental, cultural and psychological factors can also contribute to the development of the disease.

Alcoholism is not a sign of weakness. It is a sickness that is hard to control without help

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Can alcoholism be cured?       Goto Top

NO. But people with alcoholism can recover and return to a normal way of life. Recovery depends on total abstinence from alcohol.

Aren’t most people with alcoholism “skid row” types?       Goto Top

No! Most are reasonably well respected members of their communities. They are trying desperately to conceal their illness and keep up a good front. Alcoholism strikes men and women of any background, any race and any age-including teenagers.

What can a person with an alcohol problem do?       Goto Top

Face the truth that alcohol has become a problem and that drinking cannot be controlled.

Want to stop drinking for good. Total abstinence is the surest way; an alcoholic cannot stop after just one drink.

Get help from health-care workers, social workers, AA or alcoholism counselors. They can provide the moral and medical support needed to get well.

How many people are actually alcoholic?       Goto Top

Alcoholism strikes about one in ten drinkers. It is characterized by the uncontrolled use of alcohol.

Can alcohol affect your health?       Goto Top

Yes. Continued heavy drinking over a period of years can result in damage – some of it permanent. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to:

Malnutrition: An average jigger of liquor has 150 calories but no food value, no minerals proteins or vitamins. When alcohol is substituted for food, the body is deprived of essential nutrients. Alcohol can also interfere with digestion.

Brain damage: Resulting in permanent psychosis.

Cancer: of the mouth, esophagus or stomach, due to the irritating effect of alcohol.

Heart Disease: enlarged heart, congestive heart failure.

Liver Disease: cirrhosis or scarring of the liver that is often fatal; alcoholic hepatitis; cancer of the liver.

Ulcers and gastritis: due to irritation of the stomach lining.

Damage to adrenal and pituitary glands: which help supply energy to the body

Birth defects: caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. A pregnant or nursing woman should never use alcohol.

If alcohol is so dangerous, why isn’t it illegal for everyone?       Goto Top

Most adult drinkers are able to use alcohol moderately and safely. So rather than outlaw alcohol, we must find ways to prevent its abuse.

Is alcohol more dangerous for young people?       Goto Top

Yes. Because their behavior is less established, young people are more apt to lose control after drinking, especially concerning driving cars and sexual behavior. “That is why alcohol is illegal for people under age 21.

Is there any interaction between alcohol and other drugs?       Goto Top

Yes. Depressant drugs, such as barbiturates and tranquilizers, and alcohol multiply the effect of each other. Taking depressant drugs when drinking is extremely dangerous, sometimes leading to death.

What is binge drinking?       Goto Top

Binge drinking is drinking to get drunk. It is drinking a lot in a short time – 5 or more drinks in a row. Binge drinking is when a person drinks as much as possible, as fast as possible. People who drink to get drunk may have a serious problem with alcohol.

How can I explain to my teenager that beer is different from soft drinks?       Goto Top

Many kids think beer is no different from soft drinks because beer is sold in the same size cans (12 ounce), packaged the same way (six packs) and often sold in the same places (grocery stores and quick-stop shops) and advertised the same way as soft drinks on television. But beer contains the drug alcohol and soft drinks do not. Beer can change how you think, feel and behave, but a soft drink will not. In addition, over time people who drink enough beer can become addicted to alcohol just as they can if they drink enough wine or liquor.

Isn’t beer less dangerous than liquor?       Goto Top

A lot of people think there is less risk in drinking beer or wine than in drinking liquor. They may have heard that the percentage of alcohol is lower in beer (around 5%) and wine (around 12 %) than in liquor (usually 40 to 50%). But they may not know that beer, wine and liquor are also usually served in different sizes (12 ounces for beer; 5 ounces of wine and 1 ½ ounces if 80 proof liquor). So, it works out that each one has the same amount of alcohol. It’s just more diluted in beer and wine than in liquor. Beer, wine and liquor have the same effect if a person drinks them in a standard size serving and at the same rate.

Does alcohol cause violence?       Goto Top

Alcohol does not cause violence but people who drink are more likely to act out their violent feelings.

• Alcohol lowers inhibitions:

When drinking, some people may forget or ignore, their own common sense and values.

• Alcohol creates certain expectations:

Some people wrongly think that alcohol will make them more powerful or aggressive.

• Impairs Judgment:

Alcohol often causes people to misread emotions in themselves and others. They often have a hard time understanding other people’s behavior.

How quickly does a person become dependant on chemicals?       Goto Top

Chemical dependency usually occurs in stages:

Early Stage – trying alcohol or other drugs occasionally; experimenting.

Middle Stage – getting high or drunk on weekends, after school, etc. You start to experience life problems because of alcohol use.

Late Stage- using alcohol or other drugs becomes the most important thing in life, regardless of consequences.

Do you know fact from fiction?       Goto Top

Fiction: Using alcohol or other drugs once in a while is harmless.
Fact: This may be what you’ve heard, but using alcohol or other drugs just once can result in risky sexual behavior, car crashes and overdose.

Fiction: Teenagers cannot become drug addicts or alcoholics.
Fact: Age makes no difference when it comes to chemical dependence – neither does sex, race nor economic background.

Fiction: Alcohol and other drugs help you deal with life.
Fact: Alcohol and other drugs may seem to offer an escape, but it is only temporary. They end up creating more problems than they solve.

Fiction: Everyone uses alcohol and other drugs now and then.
Fact: Not true! In fact, millions of Americans of all ages have decided not to use alcohol or other drugs at all.

Fiction: I can quit using alcohol and other drugs anytime I want.
Fact: Most alcoholics and addicts say the same thing. Remember, most people are unable to quit for good without help.