Myth and Fact
Drinking alcohol will make people like you.
Myth. There's nothing likable about stumbling around, passing out, or throwing up on yourself. Drinking alcohol can also make your breath smell bad and cause you to gain weight.
People are more likely to take risks after drinking alcohol.
True. Alcohol affects judgement. After drinking alcohol, people have fewer inhibitions which can lead to bad decisions.
50% of high schoolers have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days.
Higher or Lower?
Lower, 35%
Drinking is a good way to loosen up at parties.
Myth. Alcohol can make you act foolish, say things you shouldn't, and do things you wouldn't normally do.
Adding fruit juice or soda to alcohol will reduce the affects of drinking alcohol.
False. Adding juice or soda will reduce the strong taste of the drink and make it last longer but you will still be drinking the same amount of alcohol.
People ages 12-20 years old drink 5 % of all alcohol consumed in the US.
Higher or Lower?
Higher, 11%
Beer and wine is safer than liquor.
Myth. Alcohol is alcohol. A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a shot of liquor (1.5 ounces) all have the same amount of alcohol.
Alcohol affects everyone in the same way.
False. A person's size, weight, age, and even gender, as well as how quickly they drink will alter how alcohol affects them.
In the past 30 days, 5% of high schoolers drove in a car with a driver who had been drinking.
Higher or Lower?
Higher, 22%
It's okay to drink alcohol under the age of 21.
Myth. Drinking alcohol is not worth the risk. If caught drinking, you might have to pay a fine, do community service, take alcohol awareness classes, or in extreme cases do jail time.
I can drink and take medications at the same time with no consequences.
False. Over the counter medications and prescription medications interact with each other in ways that may be deadly. Mixing these substances could lead to liver damage and cognitive issues.
Young adults who start drinking are 9 times more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash.
Higher or Lower?
Lower, 7 times more likely.
You can sober up quickly by taking a cold shower or drinking coffee.
Myth. There's no magic cure for you to sober up. On average, it takes 2 -3 hours for a single drink to make it through your body. There's nothing you can do to make that happen quicker.
Drinking alcohol reduces stress.
Alcohol acts as a depressant for the brain. Drinking may make someone feel relaxed, emotional, or uninhibited. It may also make someone feel angry, upset, or anxious.
During the past 30 days, 20% of high school students reported binge drinking.
Higher or Lower?
Lower, 14%