I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I

can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can

do.

Helen Keller

Myths or Facts?

8th Grade Health

Myth or Fact

Coffee and other items that have caffeine can help sober someone up.

MYTH

The only thing that can sober someone up is TIME!!!

Myth or Fact

A shot of rum has the same amount of alcohol as a can of beer.

FACT

12 oz beer = 4 oz of wine = 1.5 oz distilled spirits = 12 oz wine cooler

= =

Myth or Fact

Alcohol helps people deal with stress.

MYTH

Alcohol can actually cause stress … – Can you think of how?

What are some healthy ways to reduce stress?

Myth or Fact

There are health benefits for adults over 35 to have up to 2 servings of alcohol a day.

FACT

It has been proven, for older adults, that drinking one to two servings a day of alcohol can have benefits to their heart.

Myth or Fact

Alcohol helps people socialize.

MYTH

Alcohol does lower you inhibitions and can help people to be more outgoing. However this prevents people from learning how to socialize without alcohol.

Alcohol can also make people do things they would not normally do in social settings, which may be inappropriate.

Myth or Fact

If my father was an alcoholic, I will become an alcoholic as well.

MYTH

Alcoholism has been proven to be hereditary, however that means that you are more LIKELY to become an alcoholic.

Myth or Fact

87% of all sexual assaults involve alcohol.

FACT

Why do you think?

– Lowers inhibitions– Acquaintance/Date Rapes

Myth or Fact

More than 70% of drowning deaths involve people who have been drinking.

FACT

Drinking alcohol effects your reaction time and coordination.

Myth or Fact

Men are able to drink more alcohol than women can.

FACT

Men have a higher percentage of body weight from water than women do. The alcohol is more diluted in men than women.

Men have more dehydrogenase than women do. Dehydrogenase is an enzyme that helps to break down alcohol more quickly.

Myth or Fact

Alcohol, food, and non- alcoholic beverages are all digested the same way

Myth

Alcohol is NOT digested like other foods or beverages. It passes directly into the bloodstream through the tissue that lines the stomach and small intestine.

Myth or Fact

Inhalants are a safe way for teens to get a high or drunk feeling.

MYTH

Inhalants are very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage to your body. Some negative effects of sniffing are

– Seizures and sudden death– Altered states of consciousness – Kidney and liver failure– Heart muscle damage– Leukemia– Lead poisoning – Ulcers around the mouth and nose– Brain damage

Myth or Fact

In Virginia the legal BAC is .1

MYTH

The legal BAC is .08 in almost every state including Virginia.

There is zero tolerance for people under the age of 21.

Myth or Fact

Alcohol poisoning is not a big deal.

MYTH

Alcohol poisoning is a HUGE deal and needs to be dealt with immediately. Signs of alcohol poisoning include– Decrease in circulation– Decreased breathing– Pale/clammy skin– Vomiting – Loss of consciousness

Myth or Fact

People should develop a tolerance to alcohol so it does not effect them as much.

MYTH

Developing a tolerance to alcohol is very dangerous. Now your body is taking in more alcohol and your organs are being damaged even more.

Myth or Fact

Alcohol can affect teens maturation during puberty.

Fact

Drinking can affect – Breast development– Menstrual cycles– Size of testes– Development of muscle mass