Things you need to know about alcohol: Let's talk!

Hello! Today we are going to talk about a topic that is important to many people, especially young people. That is alcohol, or as we all know it, liquor. Maybe you have talked about this with your friends, or heard about it from various places. So, what exactly is alcohol? How does it affect the body? Is it good? Is it bad? We will talk about all of this today.

What exactly is alcohol?

Simply put, alcohol is something that is made by fermenting grains, fruits, or vegetables. This fermentation process uses yeast or bacteria to convert the sugars in these foods into alcohol. This fermentation process is used for many things, such as making cheese and some medicines. There are different forms of alcohol. Some are used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or as a painkiller or sedative. However, the alcohol we are talking about, which people drink, is absorbed directly into the bloodstream when it enters the body. From there, it begins to affect our Central Nervous System (CNS) , which is the brain and spinal cord. This central nervous system controls almost every function in our body.

How does alcohol affect the body?

Alcohol is a depressant . That is, it slows down the activity of our central nervous system. To be precise, alcohol blocks some of the messages that are trying to reach the brain. This is why a person's emotions, feelings, movements, vision, and hearing change. Imagine, when you take a very small amount, you may feel relaxed or your fear has decreased. However, the more alcohol you drink, the more it affects the brain. That is when you become intoxicated .

What happens when you get drunk (Intoxication)?

A person who has drunk too much alcohol may not be able to walk properly, may lose their balance, and may slur their words when they speak. They may also become very confused and lose their concentration. Some people may be very friendly and talkative when they are drunk. However, others may be very aggressive and angry. It varies from person to person. Most importantly, their reaction time is greatly reduced . That is why it is important not to drink and drive. A person who is drunk may think they are doing things correctly, but in reality they are not. Their usual behavior may be completely different.

What is Alcohol Poisoning?

If someone drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time, they can get alcohol poisoning.There is a high risk of getting into alcohol poisoning. As the name suggests, this refers to the body being poisoned by an excessive amount of alcohol that the body cannot handle. The main symptoms of this are:

• Severe vomiting .
• Excessive sleepiness .
• Losing consciousness.
• Difficulty breathing .
• Dangerously low blood sugar levels .
• Sometimes seizures can occur.
• This condition can even end in death, so it is very dangerous.

Why are young children tempted to drink?

Some people see it as normal to experiment with alcohol at a young age. There are several reasons why young people are tempted to use alcohol and other drugs:

• Curiosity: The desire to know things like "How does this taste?" "What's so special about this?"
• Feel better, reduce stress , and relax: Some people think that alcohol can help them forget their problems and be happy .
• Fit in: Because of thoughts like "Everyone else is drinking, how can I not be the only one drinking?"
• Feel like an adult: Some people think they look like big kids when they use alcohol.

Think about it, from a young age, children see advertisements that show beautiful people enjoying life with alcohol. Also, when they see many parents and other adults at parties, drinking a little wine or beer with dinner, young children may think that alcohol is not such a dangerous thing.

Why should you stay away from alcohol?

In fact, according to Sri Lankan law, people under the age of 21 cannot purchase alcohol. However, many young people have access to alcohol. So, it is up to you to decide whether to drink or not. In addition to the potential for addiction, there are several other disadvantages to alcohol consumption.

Questions from the law and society

Young people who drink alcohol are more likely to get into trouble with the law (it's illegal and can even be arrested). Young people who drink alcohol are also more likely to get into fights and commit crimes than those who don't.

Schoolwork and studies are getting disrupted.

People who regularly drink alcohol also have problems with their schoolwork . Alcohol can affect their ability to study well and get good grades. It can also affect their athletic performance (due to the aforementioned issues of balance and coordination).

Can be naughty in front of others

While drinking is considered "cool," alcohol can cause people to do some pretty stupid and embarrassing things, including vomiting and urinating. Also, the bad breath and hangover that come with drinking are not healthy for anyone.

A big risk to your health!

Young people who drink alcohol are more likely to be sexually active and have unprotected sex . This can lead to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) . You are also more likely to injure yourself, even fatally, while intoxicated. Half of all drownings among young men are alcohol-related. Alcohol use also increases a young person’s risk of being involved in a car accident, homicide, or suicide. In addition, young people who drink alcohol are more likely to grow up to be obese or have other health problems . One study found that people who drank five or more drinks a day since age 13 were more likely to be overweight or have high blood pressure by age 24 than those who did not drink. Adults who continue to drink excessively are at high risk of damage to vital organs such as the liver, heart, and brain .

How do you stay away from alcohol? How do you say 'no'?

If all your friends drink, it can be hard to say 'no' when you're the only one who doesn't drink. No one likes to be rejected by their friends or be alone. There are different ways to say 'no' to alcohol, and it will vary from person to person.

• For some people, it's easier to just say 'no' without giving any reason .
• Others think it's better to say 'no' with a reason . For example, you could say something like, "I don't like to drink," "I have a game tomorrow," or "My uncle died from drinking."

If you find it difficult to say no to alcohol in front of people you know, try saying no to your parents or another adult . Saying things like, "My parents are coming to pick me up soon," "I'm already drunk, I can't do it again," or "My coach will kill me" can make it easier for some people to say no. If you're going to a party and you know there will be alcohol, make a plan ahead of time . For example, you can use a signal to let a friend know when it's time to leave. Also, plan to do something other than stay downstairs drinking beer all night. Plan to go to a movie, the mall, a concert, or a sports game. Or you can get some friends together and form a team for volleyball, bowling, softball - anything that keeps you active!

If I need help, where can I get it?

If you think you have a problem with alcohol, get help as soon as possible . The best thing to do is to talk to an adult you trust. If you are having trouble talking to your parents, talk to someone like your doctor, school counselor, priest, church priest, aunt, uncle, etc. Some people find it difficult to talk to adults about these things, but if you are in a place where you can help, someone who can support you can refer you to a drug and alcohol counselor for an assessment and treatment. In some countries, this treatment is completely confidential. After assessing a young person's problem, a counselor may recommend short-term residential treatment or outpatient treatment at a rehabilitation center . These treatment centers help a person gradually overcome their physical and mental addiction to alcohol. You can also find help and support online. For example, there are organizations like `SAMHSA` . (In Sri Lanka, it is important to look into drug prevention and rehabilitation services in the government and private sectors.)

What if I feel sorry for someone else's drink?

Sometimes children live in homes where a parent or other family member drinks excessively. Many people cannot control their drinking without help. This does not mean that they do not love you or care about you. Alcoholism is a disease that requires treatment, just like any other illness. People with drinking problems cannot stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help. This can be very difficult for family and loved ones. The good news is that there are many places to turn for help. A supportive adult, such as your school counselor, a relative, or an older sibling, will understand what you are going through. You can also find help through professional organizations like Alateen . If you are concerned about a friend's drinking, help them stay safe. For example, don't let your friend drink and drive. If possible, try to stop your drunk friends from doing dangerous things, like trying to walk home alone at night or starting fights. And protect yourself too . Don't get in a car with someone who is drunk, even if they're the one who's offered to take you home. Instead, ask an adult who hasn't been drinking for help, or call a taxi.

Final Take-Home Message

Everyone – even adults – makes decisions about whether to drink and how much to drink. Remember that you can still enjoy a party or other event just as much, if not more, without drinking alcohol . When your central nervous system is functioning properly, you will remember the good times you had better! So, make smart decisions, stay healthy, and be happy!

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Alcohol, alcoholism, youth and alcohol, effects of alcohol, alcohol poisoning, abstinence from alcohol, alcohol addiction