Alcohol and the Brain
Brain imaging shows the brain continues to develop until at least the mid-20s. Much of brain functioning is a chemical balancing act, so changing the chemicals in the brain by using alcohol or other drugs affects how the brain receives, sends, and processes information.
Health Risks - Short and Long Term
Alcohol can increase stress and anxiety. While some may drink alcohol to decrease stress and anxiety, drinking in excess and crossing over into the blood alcohol concentration danger zone will worsen these feelings.
Women and Alcohol
The CDC reports excessive alcohol use is linked to more than 59,000 deaths among women each year. Because alcohol affects women differently than men, there are unique health and safety risks when women drink to excess.
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Using alcohol along with other drugs is unsafe because the effects may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and possibly even deadly.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite negative social, work, or health-related consequences. It is considered a brain disorder and may be mild, moderate, or severe.