Check out Teenedge's video of an all too common drinking story.
High school is a time of self-exploration. Exploration with relationships, future plans, and yourself. Many students use alcohol to experiment with partying or rebelling. Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal in Tennessee, however we know that underage drinking occurs on a regular basis.
40-50% of traffic fatalities among 15-20 year olds are alcohol related. The total cost attributable to the consequences of underage drinking was almost $62 billion per year in 2001 dollars. (Miller, et al, 2006)
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It affects just about every organ in your body. Alcohol blocks the messages going to your brain and alters your perceptions and emotions, vision, hearing and coordination.
What are the immediate effects of alcohol?
- Intoxication
- Sensory alteration
- May cause violent episodes
- May cause extreme happiness
- Paranoia
- Loss of inhibitions
- Staggering
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Respiratory depression
- Impotence
What are the long-term effects?
- Cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Possible alcohol poisoning
- Stomach ulcers
- Sexual impotence
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Memory loss
For more information on alcohol, its effects, the laws regarding underage drinking, and how to help your friends stay safe, check out the following links:
MADD Online for Minors!
Alcoholics Anonymous for TEENS!
Basic facts about alcohol
TN state laws regarding alcohol
The Bacchus Maneuver - keep your friends safe!