Developing Alcohol Awareness
Understand what alcohol is. There are many drinks that have alcohol in them, like ale, beer, wine, and vodka. In the U.S, a drink that has at least 14 grams of pure alcohol in it is considered an alcoholic drink. Alcohol contains the compounds ethanol and water. Some alcohol may have added sugar. Beer usually has the least alcohol content in it. Alcohols like vodka and absinthe usually have the most.
Understand what makes people drunk. Ethanol is the compound that makes people tipsy when they drink too much alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows your nervous system. When someone drinks too much alcohol, they may have trouble balancing. They may get very sleepy. Some people have slurred speech, meaning they speak unclearly. It prevents someone from thinking clearly. If someone drinks too much, it may even stop their heart and cause them to die.
Understand why people drink alcohol. People usually drink it to relax. Many people are served alcohol at parties and formal meetings. Some people (especially teenagers) try drinking alcohol to fit in. Others drink, often excessively, to cope with a difficult situation. They drink to temporarily forget about their tough situation and make them feel better. However, drinking too much alcohol is bad for you, physically and emotionally.
Understand the health risks associated with drinking too much alcohol. If someone drinks too much alcohol, their body can get damaged. All the organs in your body can get affected due to binge drinking. Many of these conditions may be chronic and last your whole life. These include: High blood pressure Heart disease Cancer Liver disease Damage to the nervous system Stroke
Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Find out if anyone around you drinks alcohol. There are simple ways to tell if someone frequently drinks alcohol. Finding people around you that drink is beneficial, since you may help them curb their drinking. You may encourage them to see a mental health professional, which will improve their life in the long term. Alcohol drinkers often have the following: The smell of alcohol. Alcohol smells strong, so you will be able to smell it. You may smell it on their clothes or in their breath. Impaired speech. If they have just been drinking, you may see them struggle to form sentences. Impaired motor skills. They may stumble around or walk very slowly. They might fall down occasionally while walking around. Fatigue. Alcohol slows down the brain and the nervous system. So, they will feel very sleepy, and they may fall asleep. Upset stomach. Alcohol interferes with digestion. So, people who drink may get an upset stomach. Some have nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. Poor memory. After long-term drinking of alcohol, it is common to develop memory issues. They may not remember what they just said, or they may not remember events that happened when they were drunk. Mood swings. A drunk person could be cheerful but become extremely sad or angry all of a sudden. Many people associate rage with drunk people, but they can experience other emotions.
Avoid people that drink excessively. If you can, stay away from people who drink alcohol every day. This includes classmates, siblings, relatives, etc. They may influence you to drink alcohol now or in the future. They may also do risky things under the influence, such as drive or lash out. Some people have mood swings, which causes them to get violent while they are under the influence. If it's someone you live with, this may not be possible. When they drink, try to go into your room or a private space if they show signs of physical violence. You should also call for help online or on a phone if this happens frequently.
Know how to reject someone if they offer you alcohol. It is illegal for minors to drink. The legal drinking ages worldwide vary from ages 16 to 25 years old. Alcohol has a larger effect on children than it does to adults. It damages their bodies faster. Plus, kids and teens can get hooked on it easier. If anyone offers you alcohol, say no, no matter what they say. You can say the following: "No thanks." "I don't want to try that." "I'm fine, thanks." "No thank you, it's going to have negative effects on my body." "Nope- my parents will find out!" If you have a driver's license, you can also say, "No- I'm staying sober to drive people home."
Talk with the people you believe are affected by alcohol abuse. If you know someone that has been struggling with alcohol abuse, you should talk to them. Find a private space and time (like home or after school) to chat with them. You can voice your concerns by saying, "I've been concerned about your alcohol use lately." or "I'm worried about you recently." Then, you can suggest ways that they can get help, or find ways that you can support them.
Suggest healthy coping mechanisms. A coping mechanism is an action someone takes to relieve their emotional stress. Many people drink alcohol to numb their pain, whether physical or emotional. This is an unhealthy route to take, and it will lead to more health problems and a struggle with addiction along the way. Instead, learn about healthy coping mechanisms, and encourage people that are struggling to seek help. Meditate. Meditation is linked to less anxiety and stress. Try exercising. Exercising can lift your mood up. It can also improve your confidence. Listen to music. Listening to your favorite songs, particularly happy ones, can give you a mood boost. Slow songs or instrumentals can help you relax before bedtime. Spend time with friends and family. These people can support you and give you a helping hand whenever you need it. They can also offer possible solutions to your problems. Draw or write out your emotions. Instead of ignoring your feelings, being passive-aggressive, or getting aggressive, use healthy outlets. Draw or write down your feelings on a daily journal. It relieves your pent-up feelings in a productive way. Ask for help. Sometimes, you may not be able to work out problems by yourself. Always find someone to help you. Don't be afraid to; asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
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