Beer, wine, liquor, cooler, malt liquor, booze
Facts for the Parents: 
25% of 8^th graders have admitted to being intoxicated at least once.

Effects:
Addiction , Dizziness , Slurred speech , Disturbed sleep , Nausea ,Vomiting, Hangovers , Impaired motor skills , Violent behavior , Impaired learning, Fetal alcohol syndrome, Respiratory depression and death (high doses)

What effect does it have on the body?

1. The brain and nervous system- Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Although at low blood levels you will feel stimulated and less inhibited, alcohol acts much like a depressant, such as sedative drugs.

2. The stomach and digestive system- Alcohol irritates the lining of the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach. It can cause gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach that can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. These effects are reversible if you stop drinking alcohol. If you are a heavy drinker the risk for damage is much greater- tearing of the stomach lining, ulceration, and more severe bleeding can result.

3. The liver- Alcohol can cause even more problems when used excessively. Chronic use of excessive amounts  of alcohol can lead to serious complications in the liver, the organ where alcohol is processed.

Cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis are the two most serious consequences in the liver; in fact, chronic excessive alcohol consumption is the single leading cause of illness and death from liver disease in the U.S.  

What you need to know about alcohol and medicines:

Alcohol can interact harmfully with some common over-the-counter medicines. And about 100 prescription medicines can produce unwanted effects when taken with alcohol. These problems can be minor or very severe, and even fatal.

Sometimes its just the simple combination of moderate amount of alcohol and recommended doses of medicines that can cause a bad effect. In other cases, its excessive amounts of alcohol consumed on a regular basis combined with excessive doses of medication that causes a bad reaction.

If you have any questions about alcohol and medicines, your doctor or healthcare professional is your best source of advice.

For additional information on how alcohol affects you and medicines you take please contact us at 516-747-2606 or email us at recover@licadd.org

Information by: American Medical Association