Teenagers and Alcohol, Part 1

Alcohol is a very powerful and addictive substance that can damage organs of the body including the liver and brain. It can be lethal in high doses. Although many adults drink moderately and safely, thus controlling the dangerous substance rather than alcohol controlling them, still many others drink too much and get hurt. In teenagers, like in adults, alcohol can be very harmful.

Alcohol… what is it?

The alcohol contained in beer, wine, and liquor is ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Always read labels. You will know how strong the alcohol content in a bottle of alcoholic drink is, by looking at the percentage of alcohol per bottle. Other wines and spirits mention “proof of alcohol.” The proof of alcohol divided by two, gives a dividend representing the percentage of alcohol in a bottle. Other types of alcohol, like the one in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) are poisonous when consumed.

When you drink alcohol (mechanism of absorption)

After you drink beer, wine, or liquor, alcohol enters your bloodstream from your stomach and small intestines. It travels to your brain. Alcohol in the brain slows your reaction time or your reflexes, it affects your movements and coordination, impairs your vision, and slows down your thinking, problem-solving ability, and good judgment.

Is one type of alcoholic drink safer than another?

No. All alcoholic drinks contain alcohol and one can be just as dangerous as the other. The more alcohol you take in, the more you will be impaired. One can of beer that contains about 3% to 5% of alcohol has just about the same amount of alcohol in a “shot” of wine or liquor.

Is alcohol addictive?

Yes. Alcohol is highly addictive. Alcohol addiction can happen in any stage in a person’s life. But starting to drink when you are a teenager increases the risk for alcohol addiction.

Why do teens drink alcohol?

More and more millennial or teenagers drink alcohol. Drinking is a social activity and many teenagers drink to “fit in” while others drink because of peer pressure. Other teenagers are “unguided missiles” because of some internal problems in the family and in school, that are pressing in different magnitudes and force, making teenagers cope in modes and manners that they know. Teenagers engage in sports, religion and school organizations; while others in after-school activities – including drinking. The most dangerous type of drinking activity in teens is binge drinking.

(To be continued)