Alcohol

• Feeling relaxed or more sociable

• Reduced inhibitions, which might lead to risky behavior

• Impaired coordination and slowed reaction time

• Slurred speech and blurred vision

• Nausea, vomiting, or headaches if consumed in large amounts

• Can limit your ability to sense danger by disrupting the function of the amygdala, a region in the brain that controls our emotions, perception, and awareness. 

• Increases risk for adverse physical and sexual consequences

• Disrupts the brain circuits that manage your stress and emotions

• Increases vulnerability to mental health issues like depression and anxiety

• Drinking at a young age can make you more vulnerable to developing an alcohol use disorder as an adult

• Repeated alcohol use triggers brain inflammation that can cause cell damage and long-term neurological issues

• Your executive functioning decreases – the ability to focus, problem solve, remember, and plan

• The changes in your brain can affect your ability to do well in school, manage a job, and plan for your futur

• May lead to alcohol-induced blackouts – gaps in your memory of events

Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period (binge drinking) can lead to alcohol poisoning, a potentially life-threatening condition. Signs include confusion, vomiting, slow breathing, and unconsciousness. Seek help immediately if you or someone else shows these signs.

For teens, binge drinking is defined as consuming three drinks for females and three to five drinks for males, depending on their age and size. For young adults, it’s five or more drinks for males or four or more for females.