1. ALCOHOL AND YOUTH

2. ALCOHOLISM Long-term alcohol abuse may lead to “ alcoholism ”. Alcohol use remains a major public health problem among youth. People that begin drinking alcohol at a young age are more likely to become alcoholics.

3. W HY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL? To forget things? To look cool? To look older? To feel sexy? To have fun? To relax?

4. C HILDREN BEGIN TO DEVELOP AN AWARENESS OF ALCOHOL AT A VERY EARLY AGE THROUGH : Television Advertising Their family Their community

5. W HY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL?  Family example  Family attitudes  Family relationships  Peer example  Peer pressure  Social status  Societal attitudes  Alcohol advertising  Lack of other interests

6. T HEY MAY ALSO DRINK TO :  Celebrate special events (exam results, birthdays, Debs);  Feel more confident;  Relax;  Reduce stress (exam stress, relationship pressures);  Cope with sadness, unhappiness, rejection or low self-esteem;  Rebel;  Get drunk!

7. N EGATIVE EFFECTS  Type and quantity of alcohol consumed  Age, weight and gender  Body chemistry  Food in the stomach  Drinking experience  Situation in which drinking occurs  Mental health status  Other health conditions made worse by alcohol depend on a number of factors including: I’m not feeling well!!

8. N EGATIVE EFFECTS Heart damage High blood pressure and stroke Liver disease Cancers of the digestive system Other digestive system disorders (e.g. stomach ulcers) Sexual impotence and reduced fertility Increasing risk of breast cancer Sleeping difficulties

9.  Brain damage with mood and personality changes  Concentration and memory problems  Nutrition-related conditions  Risks to unborn babies  Stop bones and muscles from growing well  Impacts on relationships, finances, work, and may result in legal problems  Careless/dangerous behaviours NEGATIVE EFFECTS

10. C OMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE Repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home or school Using alcohol in situations where’s physically dangerous Experiencing repeated legal problems Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress

11. S IGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM Tolerance Withdrawal (anxiety, tremor, sweating, nausea/vomiting, irritability, depression, headache, loss of appetite, sleeping difficulty)

12. S IGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM You’ve lost control over your drinking. You want to quit drinking, but you can’t. You have given up other activities because of alcohol. Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You drink even though you know it’s causing problems.

13. F IVE MYTHS ABOUT ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 1. “I can stop drinking anytime I want to.” 2. “My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop.” 3. “I don’t drink every day, so I can’t be an alcoholic.” OR “I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic.” 4. “I’m not an alcoholic because I’m doing well at school.” 5. “Drinking is not a “real” addiction like drug abuse.”

14. U NFORTUNATELY MOST PEOPLE DON ´ T ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ADDICTION. weblogcartoons.com

15. COOL? DEFINITELY NOT!

16. REFERENCES http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/15b1ce004 fe3d6969e1fbe03541ce8ed/What+is+alcohol+%2800501%29 -DASSA- April2014.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=15b1ce004fe3 d6969e1fbe03541ce8edhttp://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/15b1ce004 fe3d6969e1fbe03541ce8ed/What+is+alcohol+%2800501%29 -DASSA- April2014.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=15b1ce004fe3 d6969e1fbe03541ce8ed ( What is alcohol? ) http://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and- alcohol-abuse.htmhttp://www.helpguide.org/articles/addiction/alcoholism-and- alcohol-abuse.htm ( Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse )