Alcohol is a colorless, pungent liquid found in fermented beverages such as beer, wine, wine coolers, champagne, and liquor. When consumed, alcohol appears in the bloodstream within 5 minutes and reaches its highest blood alcohol level (BAL) in approximately 30-60 minutes. Alcohol is absorbed by the intestines and stomach then transported through the bloodstream to all parts of the body. When alcohol is mixed with other drugs, the effects may be intensified resulting in illness or death. Alcohol abuse can damage every organ in the human body. Alcohol is considered a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, that is, it slows down physical and mental functioning.
A strong biological family history of heavy drinking increases a person’s risk for developing alcoholism by 4 times. Alcoholism is considered to be a disease requiring treatment. Alcohol abuse causes a number of significant behavioral changes, including - drowsiness, poor decision-making, lack of or increased energy, reduced impulse control, and aggression.
Alcohol is the leading risk factor in the 3 leading causes of death among youth ages 16-24:
1 - Automobile crashes and other unintentional injuries
2 - Suicide
3 - Homicide
Alcohol-related car crashes are the number one cause of death for young people ages 16-24.
Alcohol is a factor in approximately 30% of all completed suicides. 40% of all crimes involve alcohol. 72% of rapes reported on U.S. college campuses involved alcohol (2004). Alcohol abuse is linked to diseases such as - cancer of the mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, kidneys, also to heart disease,
brain damage, increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, damage to unborn fetuses (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - FASD), and to many forms of violence like child abuse, domestic abuse, assaults, etc.