How does alcohol affect the teenage brain?
\nWhen teens drink, alcohol affects their brains in the short-term, and repeated drinking can also have an impact on the brain down the road, especially as it grows and develops.
\nShort-Term Consequences of Intoxication (being \u201cdrunk\u201d):
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- An intoxicated person has a harder time making good decisions. They also have impaired motor coordination. \n
- A person is less aware that his/her behavior may be inappropriate or unsafe. \n
- A person has a greater risk of being injured from falls or vehicle crashes. \n
- A person may be more likely to engage in unsafe behavior, including drinking and driving, unsafe sexual behavior (like unprotected sex) and aggressive or violent behavior. \n
- A person is less likely to recognize potential danger. \n
Long-Term Consequences as the Teen Brain Develops:
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- Research suggests that drinking during the teen years could interfere with normal brain development and change the brain in ways that: \n
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- Have negative effects on information processing and learning. \n
- Increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life. \n
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