Teen FAQ
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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Drinking > FAQs about Alcohol
Posted on: 09/02/2004
Question
What is so dangerous about alcohol?
Answer
A: Excessive drinking will most often end in a hangover. Classic symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhea
- Extreme thirst
- Irritability
Alcohol can have a diuretic effect on the body (meaning that it makes you need to pee). Because of this, you may wake up feeling dehydrated and extremely thirsty.
Serious side effects to drinking are:
- Alcohol reduces blood flow to the brain. Long term use can lead to memory loss and even dementia.
- Because it is the liver that ultimately breaks down the alcohol, it is likely to become damaged. Some of the things that can happen are:
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Fatty liver
- Cirrhosis
- Small amounts of alcohol can be enough to cause cardiac arrhythmias. Long term use can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Most importantly, when drinking, your reaction time is reduced, your decision-making skills are impaired, and you could be taken advantage of by others.
Answered By:
Teen Advisory Board
Teen Advisory Board