To learn more about alcohol or

obtain referrals to programs in your

community, contact one of the

following toll-free numbers:

SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse

for Alcohol and Drug Information

800-729-6686

TDD 800-487-4889

linea gratis en español

877-767-8432

Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth

Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at

www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug

Control Policy Web site at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

The bottom line: The bottom line: If The bottom line: you know someone who has a problem with

alcohol, urge him or her to stop or get help. If you drink—stop! The

longer you ignore the real facts, the more chances you take with your

life.

It's never too late. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a

teacher, or another adult you trust.

Do it today!

Q.Aren't beer and wine "safer"

than liquor?

A. No. One 12-ounce bottle of beer

or a 5-ounce glass of wine (about

a half-cup) has as much alcohol as

a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. Alcohol can make you drunk and cause

you problems no matter how you

consume it.

Q.Why can't teens drink if their

parents can?

A. Teens’ brains and bodies are still

developing; alcohol use can cause

learning problems or lead to adult

alcoholism.5

 People who begin

drinking by age 15 are five times

more likely to abuse or become

dependent on alcohol than those

who begin drinking after age 20.6

Q.How can I say no to alcohol?

I'm afraid I won't fit in.

A. It's easier to refuse than you think.

Try: “No thanks,” “I don't drink,”

or “I'm not interested.” Remember that the majority of teens don't

drink alcohol. You're in good

company when you're one of them.

Alcohol••••••
Slang—Booze, Sauce, Brews, Brewskis, Hooch, Hard Stuff, Juice

than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem

developed symptoms—such as binge drinking—by age

19.2

Know the risks. Alcohol is a drug. Mixing it with any

other drug can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol and

acetaminophen—a common ingredient in OTC pain and

fever reducers—can damage your liver. Alcohol mixed

with other drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting,

heart problems, and difficulty breathing.3

 Mixing

alcohol and drugs also can lead to coma and death.

Keep your edge. Alcohol is a depressant, or downer,

because it reduces brain activity. If you are depressed

before you start drinking, alcohol can make you feel

worse.

Look around you. Most teens aren't drinking alcohol.

Research shows that 71 percent of people 12-20 haven't

had a drink in the past month.4

Know the Signs...

How can you tell if a friend has a drinking problem?

Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can

look for. If your friend has one or more of the following

warning signs, he or she may have a problem with

alcohol:

• Getting drunk on a regular basis

• Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using

• Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun

• Having frequent hangovers

• Feeling run-down, depressed, or even suicidal

• Having “blackouts”—forgetting what he or she did

while drinking

What can you do to help someone who has a drinking problem? Be a real friend. You might even save a

life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional

help. For information and referrals, call the National

Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at

800-729-6686.

Alcohol ••••••

Get the Facts...

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, such as driving when you shouldn’t, or having

unprotected sex.

Alcohol can kill you. Drinking large amounts of

alcohol at one time or very rapidly can cause alcohol

poisoning, which can lead to coma or even death.

Driving and drinking also can be deadly. In 2003, 31

percent of drivers age 15 to 20 who died in traffic

accidents had been drinking alcohol.1

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.

Before You Risk It...

Know the law. It is illegal to buy or possess alcohol if

you are under age 21.

Get the facts. One drink can make you fail a breath

test. In some States, people under age 21 can lose their

driver's license, be subject to a heavy fine, or have their

car permanently taken away.

Stay informed. “Binge” drinking means having five or

more drinks on one occasion. Studies show that more

Revised in 2005

For more information go to www.ncadi.samhsa.gov