In the long term, alcohol use can lead to vitamin deficiencies, stomach problems, major liver damage, heart problems, kidney damage, and brain problems such as memory loss. Because it gets in the way of your ability to make smart decisions, you're much more likely to participate in risky sexual behavior when you're drunk-and less likely to worry about using protection or getting pregnant. Eight young people a day die in alcohol-related crashes. Alcohol makes it difficult to drive a car with any intelligence or coordination at all. Do not drink and drive.
Alcoholism is a disease, kind of like diabetes or high blood pressure.
And although many people see it in a very negative light, it is not something to be ashamed of. It is a treatable disease, and thousands of teens are finding help for it through Alcoholics Anonymous. Being able to drink way more than anyone you know, or having a high tolerance. Having blackouts, or periods where you don't remember what happened. Letting alcohol get in the way of your schoolwork, or your friendships or family relationships.