Any chemical that alters mood, feelings, coordination,
 perception or behavior,  alters the brain cells and 
disrupts their  normal chemical behavior.  Alcohol is 
a central nervous system  depressant- it slows down 
the bodys functions and its  effects are similar to
those of a general anesthetic. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) 
is the active ingredient in all alcoholic drinks. 
If you remove the ingredients that give taste and color
to any alcoholic beverage, you get ethyl alcohol. 
Remove the water from ethyl alcohol and you get ether. 
Ether is an anesthetic that works on the brain and puts
it to sleep.



 ANY TIME YOU DRINK, YOU ARE PUTING
 YOUR BRAIN TO SLEEP- LEVEL BY LEVEL!
 When alcohol reaches the brain, it affects millions
 of nerve cells and changes communication patterns.
 Alcohol affects vision, distorts hearing, muddles
 speech, impairs judgment, dulls senses, disturbs
 motor skills, and reduces coordination.  Deep inside
 the brain alcohol affects areas that control aggres-
 sion, hunger, thirst, pleasure, pain and body temp-
 erature.  This occurs because alcohol inhibits
 blood from transporting oxygen to blood cells.  When
 brain cells are deprived of oxygen, they become
 impaired or die.



 Because the brain matures more slowly than other
 organs of the body, it may be even morc susceptible
 to certain permanent, irreversible effects of alcohol.
 The hypothalamus portion of the brain controls
 automatic reflexes: breathing, heartbeat and other
 bodily operations over which an individual has no
 conscious control.  When alcohol is present in the
 blood stream it directly effects the hypothalamus,
 possibly damaging it particularly during adolescent
 years.



 Alcohol has a profound effect on the frontal lobe-
 the part of the brain that allows us to analyze and
 program our behavior.  It also allows us to convert
 experience to memory and is responsible for the
 formation of our 'self-image'.  These processes
 require a tremendous amount of energy.  The
 depressant nature of alcohol directly lowers the
 energy center in the brain.  Mental capacity is lost
 and the ability to recognize the loss.



 Adolescence is a time of fluctuating psychological
 and physical growth.  Brain cells (neurons) are
 especially important during this developmental
 period and must be protected. The brain is the
 only body organ not equipped with pain fibers or
 the ability to produce new brain cells should they
 die.



 FOR THOSE UNDER 21, DRINKING ALCOHOL
 IS ILLEGAL.  Know the facts so when you say 'NO'
 you know why.  Save your brain cells for later years,
 when you might need them!

Is A Depressant, Lowers Inhibitions, Impairs Judgement, Hinders Coordination, Slows Reaction Time, Dulls Senses, Blocks Memory Formation, Damages And Kills Cells.

• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (80 proof)
• 
• 12 ounces of regular beer
• 
• 5 ounces of wine

Once alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is rapidly distributed throughout the body affecting almost every cell,organ,and level of functioning.The most profound early effects is on the central nervous system. It acts as a sedative, producing relaxation and a sense of well-being. It impairs intellect, physical abilities and metabolism. Alcohol reaches the brain within minutes.

BRAIN:Alcohol keeps passing through 
the brain  until the liver has had time to oxidize it.
The flow of oxygen to the brain is reduced. Fuzzy 
thinking, staggering,and confused speech results. 
Increased amounts of alcohol can cause brain damage,
unconsciousness or death.
 
EYES: Eye muscles relax, making it 
difficult to focus. The result can be 
blurred vision. In large amounts, alcohol can 
reduce the ability to see to the right and left.

LIVER:The liver changes alcohol to water, 
carbon dioxide and energy(oxidation). About 
0ne-half ounce of alcohol an hour is oxidized. 
Until the liver has time to oxidize all the alcohol,
it keeps passing through all parts of the body. 
Over a period of time the liver becomes swollen
and tender,which can keep the liver from working 
properly and bring on diseases that can kill. 
An alcohol damaged liver can also reduce the 
production of substances that clot blood and help 
stop bleeding.

SENSES: The ability to smell and taste are reduced.

HEART: The work load of the heart is increased. Alcohol
can raise blood pressure and cause the heart to beat 
irregularly which can lead to heart failure. Heavy use of 
alcohol over a period of years can damage the main heart muscle.

STOMACH: Alcohol goes right into the stomach and then 
most of it goes down into the small intestine. The stomach
lining is irritated and vomiting can result. Repeat use can
cause ulcers and cancer of the esophagus.

SMALL INTESTINE: Alcohol goes from the stomach into
the small intestine and then through the walls of the 
intestine and into the bloodstream.

PANCREAS:Pancreass lining can swell, which can 
block the  passage  to the small intestine. Chemicals 
needed in the small intestine to aid digestion cannot
get through. The chemicals begin to digest the pancreas
itself, causing pain,vomiting,and possible death.

BLOOD:The bloodstream carries alcohol to all parts 
of the body. The bone marrow's ability to make red blood 
cells is reduced, causing a condition called anemia. 
Alcohol also reduces the number of white blood cells, 
and their ability to fight infection and interferes with
normal blood clotting.

KIDNEYS:Stops the kidneys from keeping the correct 
balance of fluid in the body.

ARTERIES:Swollen arteries in the head can put pressure
on the nerves and cause headaches.

VEINS:Widen blood vessels near the surface of the skin,
causing loss of heat from the body.

SKIN:Skin diseases such as acne worsen.

MUSCLES:Muscle weekness and destruction may occur.