WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT... ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a drug as dangerous as any illegal drug.

What does it do to your body/mind?

Once alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, it's rapidly distributed throughout the body. It acts as a sedative ("downer") and affects almost every level of human functioning.

Alcohol can make you:

• behave irresponsibly because it clouds your judgment
• aggressive (which can lead to fights and rapes)
• throw up
• pass out or have blackouts (not remember what happened while drinking)

Alcohol can also:

• cause impotence and lower testosterone production
• give you cirrhosis of the liver ( a painful, incurable disease)
• damage your brain and other parts of the nervous system
• lead you to other drug use
• impair your intellect, physical co-ordination and metabolism
• impair your vision, distort hearing, and muddle speech
• cause marked changes in your behavior or personality
• cause injuries to yourself and others
• KILL YOU

IS IT ADDICTIVE?

Yes, alcohol is addictive. Once an alcoholic starts to drink, he/she loses control and can't predict how, when, or if he/she will be able to stop.

Find out more about alcohol and teen drinking.