2008 Woodie Awards
Before You Take Another Sip, Know The Risks You're Taking
Theresa VosillaStaff Reporter
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Features
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Alcohol surrounds college students. It is at parties, bars, clubs, on television, and in magazines. There are some students who choose to drink, while others remain sober. Though, for those that do drink, you may not know that there are more than the obvious side effects of drinking.
According to Virginia Tech's website on the effects of alcohol, www.alcohol.vt.edu, alcohol has side effects that are acute, which take place while you are under the influence, short term which are up to 72 hours after drinking and long term which is after one or more years of heavy use.
Acute effects impair a person's cognitive abilities. It effects many parts of the brain especially the most vulnerable cells that are associated with attention, sleep, coordination, judgment, and memory.
"I don't really think about the effects of alcohol, I just go out with my friends and have fun drinking," said junior, Tom Bathe, White Plains, N.Y.
Alcohol can reduce a person's ability to remember information learned prior to drinking. Other acute effects are reduced anxiety, slurred speech, headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
"I think the most obvious effect of drinking alcohol is judgment impairment. People do things they usually wouldn't," said junior, Jenna Coccia, Johnston, R.I.
Alcohol does effect a person's judgment. This may cause someone to find themself in a dangerous situation. People are more likely to engage in regrettable sex and are less likely to have safe sex. Seventy percent of teen pregnancies occur while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
Alcohol consumption can effect the reproductive system. When a large dose of alcohol is consumed a loss of sensation may occur. Inability to have an orgasm and temporary impotence may occur.
Short-term effects of alcohol are up to 72 hours after the consumption of alcohol. Just like with acute effects cognitive abilities are effected for a substantial period of time.
According to Virginia Tech's website on the effects of alcohol, www.alcohol.vt.edu, alcohol has side effects that are acute, which take place while you are under the influence, short term which are up to 72 hours after drinking and long term which is after one or more years of heavy use.
Acute effects impair a person's cognitive abilities. It effects many parts of the brain especially the most vulnerable cells that are associated with attention, sleep, coordination, judgment, and memory.
"I don't really think about the effects of alcohol, I just go out with my friends and have fun drinking," said junior, Tom Bathe, White Plains, N.Y.
Alcohol can reduce a person's ability to remember information learned prior to drinking. Other acute effects are reduced anxiety, slurred speech, headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
"I think the most obvious effect of drinking alcohol is judgment impairment. People do things they usually wouldn't," said junior, Jenna Coccia, Johnston, R.I.
Alcohol does effect a person's judgment. This may cause someone to find themself in a dangerous situation. People are more likely to engage in regrettable sex and are less likely to have safe sex. Seventy percent of teen pregnancies occur while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
Alcohol consumption can effect the reproductive system. When a large dose of alcohol is consumed a loss of sensation may occur. Inability to have an orgasm and temporary impotence may occur.
Short-term effects of alcohol are up to 72 hours after the consumption of alcohol. Just like with acute effects cognitive abilities are effected for a substantial period of time.