As we close out the year, it’s a great time to reflect on your goals, your growth, and what makes you who you are. The holiday season brings excitement, time with family and friends, and sometimes pressure to act differently just to fit in. But here’s the truth: the people who care about you like you for who you are and not someone changed by alcohol.
Alcohol doesn’t just change how you feel in the moment it can alter your mood, affect your personality, and make you act in ways you normally wouldn’t. It may lower your inhibitions, make it harder to control your emotions, and lead to behavior you regret. During the holidays, when emotions can already run high, alcohol adds risk, not relief.
As the year wraps up, take pride in the progress you’ve made and the goals you’ve set. Staying alcohol-free helps you stay in control, stay connected, and end the year on your terms and not under the influence of something that changes who you are.
Monthly Fast Facts
- Alcohol can affect mood and behavior, especially in youth. It impacts the parts of the brain that control emotions, decision-making, and self-control — which are still developing in middle school. (CDC: Alcohol Use and Your Health)
- Underage drinking increases the chance of acting out of character. This can harm relationships and lead to risky or dangerous behavior. (CDC: Alcohol Use and Your Health)
- Setting goals helps prevent risky behaviors. Youth who focus on personal goals and stay engaged in positive activities are less likely to misuse substances. (SAMHSA: Strategic Prevention Framework)
