This is an archived show from September. I hope you enjoy it.

The presidents of about 100 U.S. colleges are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age to 18. John McCardell, the former president of Middlebury College in Vermont, says his group, the Amethyst Initiative, is against intoxication but supports responsible, adult behavior toward alcohol.  What do you think?

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This podcast is sponsored by Caron Treatment Centers

Recently I sat down with Tim Burns. Tim is an expert on how alcohol misuse (too much) can cause problems with how the brains works. There is a lot noise being made in drug education about this drug causes brain damage or that causes memory loss. Separating fact from fiction is difficult because – well, because people usually have pretty good hearts and don’t want to see someone get hurt. That being said, Tim Burns offers some interested insights into how alcohol usage can impact grades, creativity, and athletic performance.

Related Links…

• Binge Drinking Website
• Binge Drinking Video on YouTube
• Do You Drink Too Much? Find Out.
• Are You Worried About a Friend’s Drinking?

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Q: Is the phrase “Beer before liquor, never sicker – liquor before beer, in the clear” accurate, and if so, why?

A:The original advice of liquor before beer is usually given to people who are beginning drinkers or those who drink infrequently. A 120 pound female who drinks for the second time in her life would probably get drunk and sick if she were to drink a few beers and then do a few shots. That is because of the rate of absorption of the alcohol. A common mistake is that while teens or inexperienced people drink, they feel like the alcohol is not doing anything for them. Then, by doing shots or making stronger drinks, they try to “catch up” to their friends. As a result, they can go from a relative buzz to being belligerent because of the amount of time it takes for the alcohol to enter your bloodstream. By then, it is usually too late. The person may have the spins, vomit, black out, pass out, suffer from further alcohol poisoning, or even die.

Q: I have a friend who I think drinks too much. What can I do?

A: So you think your friend or sibling has a problem with drugs or alcohol? Maybe he or she seems like a different person since starting to drink or get high.

Well, you are not alone. Many teens are facing the same issues all across the country. Many of us are afraid to discuss serious issues with our friends because we fear being rejected. It is not easy to tell a friend or loved one that they have a problem.