Alcohol Exposed

Distributed by: Human Relations Media
Year: 2000
Length: 16 Minutes


This video, hosted by two high school aged youths, defines alcohol, alcoholism, the various effects that alcohol can cause and alcoholism in the family.

It opens with several youth testimonies on what alcohol does. I felt throughout the video that these testimonies were less than genuine, and sort of unhelpful. Many of the youth reporting used the "I knew a guy who..." type stories that did not sound truthful.

The hosts' scripts and the video clips, etc. were very good, informative. They covered the 'What is a "drink?"' topic, noting that the amount of ethanol is the same in a beer as is in a shot. Also addressed the length of time it takes for the liver to process alcohol, noting that old myths like drinking coffee and taking cold showers would not speed the process up. It also depicts an alcohol poisoning ER scene.

There is a pause in the middle for discussion.

The video also touches on other issues associated with drinking, like accidental death, hangovers, and alcoholism. They mention social and environmental cues that lead youth to drink. The video also shows a youth whose father is an alcoholic and discusses resources for such youths.

I thought the video contained some good information. However, it looked dated, with older clothing and hairstyles. The information is very introductory and I would probably only show it to middle school, 7th-9th grade audiences.