Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the body and mind. Just one drink is enough to result in serious consequences. When you drink, some of the alcohol is absorbed into the blood through the stomach, but most is absorbed through the small intestine. Once in the blood, it travels to many parts of the body, including the heart, brain, and liver. The liver functions to remove alcohol from the bloodstream, but it can only eliminate a certain amount of alcohol per hour. When someone drinks alcohol at a faster rate than their liver can eliminate the alcohol, problems arise. As the alcohol level in the blood increases, intoxication occurs, leading to alcohol poisoning, respiratory failure, and eventually coma and death. When the brain is affected by alcohol, thinking, coordination, and judgment are altered, which can lead to dangerous consequences. All of these effects contribute to the many dangerous consequences of alcohol abuse, including driving while intoxicated, as well as using other drugs, and doing activities that you would normally avoid.

Pregnant women should not drink at all, as any amount of alcohol can cause birth defects. Also, young people who use alcohol are more likely to experiment with other drugs, because their ability to make decisions will be diminished. Also, using alcohol while abusing other drugs can increase the risk of an overdose. School performance is also affected by alcohol abuse, and on the job injuries, as well as violence can result from the abuse of alcohol.

Alcohol causes many emotional, physical, and sexual problems. It can prevent young people from developing good judgment, it can add stress, and it can cause low self esteem. In addition, alcohol interferes with growth, and disrupts athletic ability by slowing coordination and reflexes. Alcohol lowers the body's immune system also. Next, alcohol can interfere in your sex life, by interfering in your ability to choose wisely. It increases risk for sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, pregnancy, and it can lower self esteem.

In all 50 states, alcohol is illegal for anyone under the age of 21. People under 21 cannot buy alcohol, have someone buy it for them, or consume alcohol.