Drug Education Student Booklet

For more information see positivechoices.org.au Drugs & Alcohol: What You Need to Know 17 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALCOHOL The human brain is still developing and maturing well into the 20s. Research shows that drinking alcohol during the teenage years can disrupt healthy brain development. For this reason, teenagers are advised to avoid drinking for as long as possible. Starting to drink at an earlier age also places young people at greater risk of developing alcohol-related problems later in life. When alcohol is absorbed, it is distributed throughout the water held in a person’s body. On average, young people have a smaller body mass than adults and so have less water. This means that in a younger person there is less water to dilute the alcohol, so the alcohol will have a greater effect. Young people may be unaware of how alcohol might affect them. When young people do drink, it is often out with friends in a situation where they are at high risk of accidents or injury. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL? Alcohol is the most commonly used recreational drug in Australia. After tobacco, it is the second leading cause of drug-related death and hospital admissions. Some harms from alcohol are linked to drinking too much on one occasion (e.g. injuries, unsafe sex, alcohol poisoning) while other harms are linked to regular drinking (e.g. liver problems, addiction). The effects of alcohol may include: ● Beer ● Wine ● Cider ● Spirits ● Liqueurs ● Pre-mixed drinks ● Fortified wines IMMEDIATE LONG TERM ● Slower breathing and heart rate ● Drowsiness ● Feeling of relaxation ● Loss of inhibitions ● Dehydration ● Unsteadiness, loss of coordination ● Risky behaviour (e.g. unsafe sex) ● Confusion ● Nausea, vomiting ● Loss of consciousness ● Dependence* ● Mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety) ● Increased risk of diabetes and obesity ● Brain damage ● Malnutrition ● Heart problems ● Liver problems ● Cancer ● Serious birth defects if used during pregnancy WHAT IS ALCOHOL? Alcohol is a colourless liquid contained in wine, beer, spirits and other alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is a depressant because it slows down the way your brain relays information to the rest of the body. The legal age to buy alcohol in Australia is 18 years of age. Types of alcohol include: “WHAT WORRIES ME ABOUT ALCOHOL IS THE THOUGHT OF GETTING TOO DRUNK AND THAT YOU COULD HURT A MATE OR DO SOMETHING YOU REGRET.” - DANIEL † , 14 † Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. * See Glossary on page 36 ALCOHOL