Alcohol Addiction Information

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant that get its origin from natural sources including grapes, grains and berries. These are then fermented or distilled into a liquid which creates alcohol.

Alcohol influences each part of the body. It is carried through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, kidneys, and muscles. It takes a very short time to absorb (as short as 5-10 minutes) and can reman in the body for several hours.

Alcohol affects the central nervous system and brain. It can make those who drink it loosen up, relax, and feel more comfortable or can make them more aggressive.

Unfortunately, it also lowers their inhibitions, which can set them up for dangerous or embarrassing behavior. Alcohol is a classified as a drug and is only legal for people over the age 21.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person drinks a large quantity of alcohol in a short amount of time.

A Typical drink is:

One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler
One 5-ounce glass of wine
1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Health Hazards

People who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until age 21. Each additional year of postponed drinking onset reduces the probability of alcohol dependence by 14 percent.

Young people who drink heavily will have the same long-term health risks as adults who drink heavily. This means they are at an increased risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, hemorrhagic stroke, and certain forms of cancer.

Adolescents who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active, which places them at a higher risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

One study revealed that students diagnosed with alcohol abuse were four times more likely to experience major depression than those without an alcohol problem. Alcohol use among adolescents has been linked to considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide. For more information about talking with your teen about alcohol, tips for your teen to handle peer pressure, and warning signs of a drinking problem, please refer to: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's pamphlet:

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Sundance Center can help you or your loved one recover from this devastating disease successfully. Our caring staff is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to answer all your questions and assist you in starting your journey to recovery.