Alcohol
Other initial effects include: talkativeness, dizziness, nausea, impaired judgment, slowed reflexes, slurred speech, and blackouts. Underage drinking is especially dangerous because the brain is still developing lasting into young adulthood. Abuse during this crucial period of development can cause life long damage to the brain resulting in poor motor skills, memory, and coordination. Drinking prior to or during puberty can upset the crucial hormonal balance necessary for the development of muscle, bones, organs, and negatively affects maturation of the reproductive system. Alcohol abuse can lead to a serious disease: alcoholism. Alcoholism is a serious, chronic, progressive disease that may lead to death if not treated. Long term abuse can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as your liver and brain and causes high blood pressure, certain cancers, lowered resistance to disease, and sexual dysfunction. Features of alcoholism include craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. Fortunately alcoholism is a treatable disease with self-help groups, medications, and counseling among the treatment options available. There are many causes and risk factors associated with this disease. Denial is a common characteristic of alcoholism so it may take a loved one, co-worker, neighbor, etc. to get those at risk the help they desperately need. Mothers who drink during pregnancy put their unborn child at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) which is the leading cause of preventable birth defects in the United States. Babies born with FAS may suffer from mental retardation and other mental and/or physical abnormalities. Because there is no way to assess a "safe" amount to drink during pregnancy it is advised that pregnant women do not drink during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. For more information on Alcohol Abuse and Underage Drinking visit these sites:For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome visit:
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