Facts about alcohol

Facts about alcohol

Fact: Those who begin drinking before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence (alcoholism) than those who wait until the age of 21.

Fact: The young persons’s brain is more sensitive to the reward chemicals that are released by drugs and alcohol. As a result, early alcohol use sets into motion lifelong cravings for alcohol.

Fact: When young people consume alcohol their brain development is affected.

Fact: Children in families with alcoholic members are at a higher risk for alcoholism.

Fact: Drinking alcohol to forget your worries or escape your problems is a warning sign for problem drinking.

Fact: If you drink too much too fast, you can die from alcohol poisoning.

Fact: The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving in Bermuda is 0.08

Fact: The younger a person is when they begin consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to develop alcohol dependence.

Fact: Alcohol is a depressant. It slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord.

Fact: Even one or two drinks impair a driver’s judgement and reaction time.

Fact: 1 out of every 7 people who drink becomes addicted (alcoholism)

Fact: Young people who drink are 50 times more likely to go on to use cocaine than non-drinking young people are. (1)

Fact: Alcohol affects people differently depending on how fast it is consumed, the strength of the drink, whether there is food in the stomach, and such factors as weight and usa of other drugs.

Fact: The stages of intoxication are:

1st Stage Happy, relaxed and sociable. Fewer inhibitions.
2nd Stage Erratic behaviour, thinking is impaired, poor judgement
3rd Stage Confused, staggering, disoriented, slurred speech. Moody.
4th Stage In a stupor, unable to stand, vomitting, incontinent.
5th Stage In a coma, unconscious, at risk of dying from respiratory paralysis.
Fact: The following all contain the same amount of alcohol:

12oz Beer
5oz Wine
1.5oz Hard Liquor
(1) National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse