Alcohol and Teenagers

What are we going to talk about?

- What Is Alcohol? - How Does It Affect the Body? - Why Do Teens Drink? - Why Shouldn't I Drink? - Where Can I Get Help? - Myths about alcohol

Introduction
The consume of alcohol is seen as an enormous challenge to our society, once that it is a licit psychotropic substance, with a large social acceptance. Decurrently of this facts emerges a question, how to live with this substance in a healthy way, decreasing its use in order to obtain an healthy lifestyle. In the adolescents specific use, being the adolescence a period of achievement for a major autonomy, emerges a whole intrapersonal, interpersonal conflicts, influences, compulsions, pressures to its use, that can lead to an embracement of less healthy behaviours. So in this presentation we will try to describe the problematic relation between alcohol and adolescents, and how that affects their life's and the lifes of others around them.

What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items Alcohol can be used as:

a cleaner
an antiseptic a sedative Moderate use may be beneficial to the heart for some people

So if alcohol is a natural product, why do teens need to be concerned about drinking it?

Bloodstream

Central Nervous System (the brain and spinal cord)

How does it affect the body?

Alcohol, specifically ethanol, is a potent central nervous system depressant It goes directly into the bloodstream It has a biphasic effect on the body: initially it generally produces feelings of relaxation and cheerfulness but further consumption can lead to an alteration of perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing Heavy drinking can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer

Alcohol can give you bad breath, hangovers and lots of calories
Children in families with alcoholic members are at a higher risk for alcoholism Excessive drinking can decrease the amount of testosterone in a man's body and cause impotence

How does it affect the body?

Alcohol abuse can lead to both homicides and suicides

Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment which can lead to risky behaviors, including drunk driving and unprotected sex. Practicing unprotected sex can lead to AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancy
Long-term effects of heavy alcohol use include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies, stomach ailments, sexual impotence, liver damage, heart damage, central nervous system damage and memory loss

Effect by dosage
Different concentrations of alcohol in the human body have different effects on the subjects. The following lists the effects of alcohol on the body, depending on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC):

Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12%)

Lethargy (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25%)

Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30%) Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.40%) Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50%) Death (BAC more than 0.50%)

Particular effects on teeth

Excessive use of alcohol has many harmful effects on health, some of which affect dental treatment. These include: An increased risk of oral cancer

Increased risk of periodontal disease

Dental erosion: Dental erosion is the loss of the enamel, caused by acid attacking the surface of your teeth Dental erosion is irreversible and can result in sensitivity and pain if the dentine becomes exposed This also makes tooth decay more likely

DONT DRINK AND DRIVE

Why Shouldn't We Drink?

Although it's illegal to buy alcohol in Portugal until the age of 16, most teens can get access to it. It's therefore up to you to make a decision about drinking. In addition to the possibility of becoming addicted, there are some downsides to drinking:

The punishment is severe

You can look really stupid

Alcohol puts your health at risk

You can look really stupid

You can look really stupid

You can look really stupid

You can look really stupid

Why do teens drink?

curiosity

to feel good, reduce stress, and relax

to fit in to feel older

From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially having beer or wine with dinner, for example alcohol seems harmless to many teens.

Where Can I Get Help?

If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust. If you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy member, aunt, or uncle. It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer students to a drug and alcohol counselor for evaluation and treatment. After assessing a teen's problem, a counselor may recommend a brief stay in rehab or outpatient treatment. These treatment centers help a person gradually overcome the physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

What If I'm Concerned About Someone Else's Drinking?

Many people live in homes where a parent or other family member drinks too much. This may make you angry, scared, and depressed. Many people can't control their drinking without help. Alcoholism is an illness that needs to be treated just like other illnesses. People with drinking problems can't stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help. This can leave family members and loved ones feeling helpless. The good news is there are many places to turn for help: a supportive adult, such as your guidance counselor, or a relative or older sibling will understand what you're going through. Also, professional organizations can help. If you have a friend whose drinking concerns you, make sure he or she stays safe. Don't let your friend drink and drive, for example. If you can, try to keep friends who have been drinking from doing anything dangerous, such as trying to walk home at night alone or starting a fight. And protect yourself, too. Don't get in a car with someone who's been drinking, even if that person is your ride home. Ask a sober adult to drive you instead or call a cab. Everyone makes decisions about whether to drink and how much even adults. It's possible to enjoy a party or other event just as much, if not more so, when you don't drink. And with your central nervous system working as it's supposed to, you'll remember more about the great time you had!

Myths about alcohol

Alcohol doesn't warms you up Alcohol doesnt make you less thirsty Alcohol doesnt make you stronger Alcohol doesnt improves digestion Alcohol isnt food

Conclusion
Things to remember: 47% of portuguese adolescents consume alcohol. Alcohol is responsible for most drug-related deaths in the teenage population. Parents cant prevent their teenager from experimenting with alcohol, but they can encourage sensible drinking habits.

Barenaked Ladies - Alcohol

Alcohol, my permanent accessory Alcohol, a party-time necessity Alchool, alternative to feeling like yourself O alcohol, I still drink to your health I love you more than I did the week before I discovered alcohol Forget the caffe latte, screw the raspberry iced tea A malibu and coke for you, a g&t for me Alcohol, your songs resolve like My life never will When someone else is picking up the bill I love you more than I did the week before I discovered alcohol O alcohol, would you please forgive me? For while I cannot love myself Ill use something else

I thought that alcohol was just for those with Nothing else to do I thought that drinking just to get drunk Was a waste of precious booze But now I know that theres a time And theres a place where I can choose To walk the fine line between Self-control and self-abuse
I love you more than I did the week before I discovered alcohol Would you please ignore that you Found me on the floor Trying on your camisole? O alcohol, would you please forgive me? For while I cannot love myself Ill use something else.

Would you please forgive me Would you please forgive me