Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant that affects every part of the body. It is carried through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, kidneys, and muscles.

Unfortunately... because alcohol is easy to obtain and socially acceptable, it is a very popular way of self-medication for stress, anxiety, depression and underlying mental health issues. These poor stress-management skills fuel binge drinking. According to the CDC: “most people younger than age 21 who drink alcohol report binge drinking, often consuming large amounts.” The CDC’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that “in the past 30 days, 29% drank alcohol and 14% binge drank.”