Alcohol is a depressant and the most widely used psychoactive drug.  Alcohol is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream and affects every organ in the body.  One drink is defined as: 12 ounces of lager beer, 7 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (a shot).

While alcohol is a legal drug and many people can drink in moderation without becoming dependent or experiencing adverse consequences, consider these statistics:

• 25-35% of hospital admissions are due to alcohol;
• More than half of rapes involve the abuse of alcohol;
• About half of murder victims and half of the murderers were drinking alcohol at the time of the crime;
• Alcohol causes most of the world's health and societal problems.

Source: Cohen, W. & Inaba, D. (2007). Downers: Opiates/Opioids & sedative-hypnotics. In Uppers, Downers, All Arounders (2nd ed., pp 246). Medford, Oregon: CNS Productions, Inc.

Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.aa.org

Alcohol Use Test

Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm

All About Alcohol - Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcohol.html#cat11

CDC Fact Sheet on Binge Drinking
http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm

College Drinking - Changing the Culture
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/

Haze (full-length film about hazing on a college campus that leads to death)

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free
http://www.alcoholfreechildren.org/

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Parents. The Anti-Drug.
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_alcohol.asp

Rethinking Drinking   (download PDF)
http://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov

What's a Standard Drink?

(If you're a parent, click here to go to our Tips for Parents page.)

YOUTH

Above the Influence
http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugs-alcohol.aspx

Be Responsible About Drinking
www.brad21.org

College Drinking - Changing the Culture
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/

The Cool Spot
http://www.thecoolspot.gov/

National Association for Children of Alcoholics
http://www.nacoa.net/kidspage.htm

Too Smart to Start
www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov

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