Alcohol Q& A
Below are a list of commonly asked qustions.
Q: What is underage drinking?
The national legal drinking age is 21. When anyone under the age of 21 consumes alcohol, it’s against the law. Underage drinking can have serious consequences to a young person’s health, development, and future.
Q: Why can't teens drink if their parents can?
Teens’ brains and bodies are still developing. The human brain is not fully developed until your mid-20’s. Alcohol use can cause learning problems and/or lead to adult alcoholism. People who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking at age 21 or older.
No. Alcohol is Alcohol… it will cause you problems no matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.
Q: I’ve heard alcohol is not as harmful as other drugs, is that true?
False. Alcohol increases your risk for many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.
Q: Do almost all of the kids in high school drink?
No. Most young people don’t drink alcohol. Research shows that more than 70% of youth aged 12 to 20 haven’t drank in the past month.
* Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
Q: What is alcohol poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning is serious and sometimes even deadly. When the body absorbs alcohol, it directly impacts your central nervous system, slowing breathing, heart rate and your gag reflex. This can lead to choking, coma, and death. Alcohol poisoning happens after consuming too many alcoholic beverages in a short period of time.
