Slang:  Booze, Sauce, Brews, Brewskis, Hooch, Hard Stuff, Juice

Alcohol affects your brain:

Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses and even blackouts.

Alcohol affects your body:

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body.  It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.

Alcohol affects your self-control:

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment.  Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex.  This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy.

Alcohol can kill you:

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death.  Also, in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15  to 20 year olds were alcohol related.

Alcohol can hurt you--even if you're not the one drinking:

If you're around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or affected by violence.  At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves or you.

Look for Part 2  soon!

                 For more information go to: http://www.ncadi.samhsa.gov