ALCOHOL ALCOHOL

ANDAND

YOUTH YOUTH

ALCOHOLISM

Long-term alcohol abuse may lead to

“alcoholism”.

Alcohol use remains a major public health

problem among youth.

People that begin drinking alcohol at a young

age are more likely to become alcoholics.

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL?

To forget things?

To look cool?

To look older?

To feel sexy?

To have fun?

To relax?

CHILDREN BEGIN TO DEVELOP AN AWARENESS OF ALCOHOL AT A VERY EARLY AGE THROUGH:

Television

Advertising

Their family

Their community

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL?

Family example

Family attitudes

Family relationships

Peer example

Peer pressure

Social status

Societal attitudes

Alcohol advertising

Lack of other interests

THEY MAY ALSO DRINK TO: Celebrate special events (exam results,

birthdays, Debs);

Feel more confident;

Relax;

Reduce stress (exam stress, relationship pressures);

Cope with sadness, unhappiness, rejection or low self-esteem;

Rebel;

Get drunk!

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Type and quantity of alcohol

consumed

Age, weight and gender

Body chemistry

Food in the stomach

Drinking experience

Situation in which drinking occurs

Mental health status

Other health conditions made worse

by alcohol

depend on a number of factors including:

I’m not feeling well!!

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Heart damage

High blood pressure and stroke

Liver disease

Cancers of the digestive system

Other digestive system disorders (e.g.

stomach ulcers)

Sexual impotence and reduced fertility

Increasing risk of breast cancer

Sleeping difficulties

Brain damage with mood and personality Brain damage with mood and personality

changeschanges

Concentration and memory problemsConcentration and memory problems

Nutrition-related conditionsNutrition-related conditions

Risks to unborn babiesRisks to unborn babies

Stop bones and muscles from growing Stop bones and muscles from growing

wellwell

Impacts on relationships, finances, work,

and may result in legal problems

Careless/dangerous behaviours

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at

home or school

Using alcohol in situations where’s physically

dangerous

Experiencing repeated legal problems

Continuing to drink even though your alcohol

use is causing problems in your relationships

Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM

Tolerance

Withdrawal (anxiety, tremor, sweating, nausea/vomiting, irritability, depression, headache, loss of appetite, sleeping difficulty)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM

You’ve lost control over your drinking.

You want to quit drinking, but you can’t.

You have given up other activities because of alcohol.

Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus.

You drink even though you know it’s causing problems.

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT ALCOHOLISM

AND ALCOHOL ABUSE1. “I can stop drinking anytime I want to.”

2. “My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop.”

3. “I don’t drink every day, so I can’t be an alcoholic.” OR “I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic.”

4. “I’m not an alcoholic because I’m doing well at school.”

5. “Drinking is not a “real” addiction like drug abuse.”

UNFORTUNATELY MOST PEOPLE DON´T ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ADDICTION.

weblogcartoons.com

COOL? DEFINITELY NOT!

REFERENCES

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/15b1ce004fe3d6969e1fbe03541ce8ed/What+is+alcohol+%2800501%29-DASSA-April2014.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=15b1ce004fe3d6969e1fbe03541ce8ed (What is alcohol?)

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and-alcohol-abuse.htm (Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse)