Harmful Additives In the Tank: The Effects of Alcohol

Before you decide to drink alcohol, wait! Think about how alcohol affects your body and mind. Sometimes drinking alcohol makes people feel comfortable using tobacco and other drugs. The physical effects of alcohol can be immediate or long-term because alcohol is absorbed into your body. With alcohol, your body will feel different, your speech may become impaired, and you may have trouble making good decisions.

Remember, you should be proud of any decision you make not to drink, and not to endanger yourself and others. When faced with peer pressure, remember the refusal skills to help you avoid drinking alcohol and falling into the pressure of your peers.

• Say no in a firm voice.
• Explain why you are refusing.
• Suggest alternatives to the proposed activity; just make sure it’s not alcohol or drug related.
• Back up your words with body language; let them know you are serious.
• Leave if necessary.

It is important to remember that it is illegal to drink before you are twenty-one years old, but also that when you become an adult, you must still make smart choices about drinking alcohol. Alcohol use is the major factor in the four leading causes of accidental death: car accidents, falls, drownings, and house fires. Alcohol also plays a major role in violent crimes, such as homicide, rape, and robbery. Not only does alcohol affect you personally, but it affects the community as well.