Alcohol: The Real Deal - Case Study Handout

Objective

In this case study, you will explore a real-life scenario involving alcohol use. Your task is to analyze the situation, identify the consequences of the actions taken, and discuss alternative outcomes. This exercise aims to help you understand the direct impact of alcohol consumption on decision-making and personal health.

Case Study Scenario

Imagine a situation where a 17-year-old, Alex, attends a weekend party with friends. At the party:

• Alex is offered alcohol multiple times, despite initially declining.
• Feeling peer pressure and wanting to fit in, Alex accepts a drink.
• After a couple of drinks, Alex's behavior changes: decisions become impulsive, and responsibilities are neglected.
• Later, Alex engages in risky behavior by getting into an accident on the way home.

Discussion Questions:

1. Decision-Making Under Pressure: What factors influenced Alex's decision to drink despite knowing the possible risks?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Immediate Consequences: What immediate effects did alcohol have on Alex’s behavior and decision-making?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Long-Term Impact: How might a single incident like this affect Alex’s future relationships, academic performance, or health?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Alternative Choices: What are some alternative choices Alex could have made? How might these choices have prevented the negative outcomes?
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Lessons Learned: Reflect on how this scenario relates to real-life consequences of alcohol consumption. What can you learn from Alex's experience to make better choices in your own life?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Instructions for Students

• Step 1: Read through the case study carefully.
• Step 2: Answer the discussion questions in the space provided on your handout. You may work individually or in small groups.
• Step 3: Be ready to share your thoughts with the class during the reflective discussion session.

Spend time reflecting on the scenario and be prepared to discuss your insights. Consider how understanding these consequences can influence your personal choices and future behavior.

Teacher Note: Encourage students to think critically about each question and support their answers with details from the scenario. Use guiding questions if students need additional support during the analysis.

Health Impact Video

The 'Teen Substance Use & Abuse' video will be used to visually illustrate the consequences of alcohol use, providing a relatable story for students to connect with the lesson content. In this video, Jeremiah, a teenager, experiments with substances like alcohol and faces negative outcomes in his personal life. This engaging narrative helps reinforce the lesson's objectives by showing the real-world implications of substance use.

After watching the video, students will be encouraged to reflect on the decisions made by the characters and discuss how small choices can lead to significant, long-lasting impacts on one's health and future.

Watch the video here: Teen Substance Use & Abuse

Teacher Note: After viewing, facilitate a discussion with questions such as:

• What were the key factors that led to Jeremiah's choices?
• How do you think peer pressure influenced his decisions?
• What alternative choices could have led to a different outcome?

Encourage students to think critically and share their personal insights and reflections during the class discussion.