Alcohol Lesson 3 Choosing to be alcohol free

Do Now Write a refusal statement that you can use to avoid the pressure to use alcohol

Why some teens drink What teens may say: I’ll look more grown up with a drink in my hand If I drink I’ll forget my problems Stressed out. Drinking helps me relax My friends keep pressuring me to try alcohol What teens should know You won’t look mature getting in trouble for underage drinking Problems will still be there. Might create more problems Doesn’t relieve stress. It disrupts sleep and causes stress Real friends won’t pressure you to do something harmful

Reasons to refuse alcohol At least 1/3 of Americans don’t drink at all It is illegal-legal age is 21 It interferes with your activities It promotes foolish behavior- sick, dangerous, embarrassing It is not smart- kills brain cells, can cause trouble with jobs, school, and your perception It disappoints those who care about you It harms your health

Seeing through media messages Television, magazines, and billboards show attractive healthy people using alcohol. These people seem popular, fun, smart, and very young. They use Subliminal messages to hook the young crowd to create a lifetime of business Use your own judgment when you see these ads. Does this drink really make you fun and popular?

Alternatives to drinking alcohol Alternatives- other ways of thinking or acting Do something you enjoy. Ex videogames, sports, shopping Join other teens for alcohol-free fun Volunteer to help others Learn something new Advocate- speak out about something you believe in like the dangers of alcohol.