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Excessive Drinking Among Teens

Excessive Drinking Among Teens

Identifying the problem and the significance of the problem

“A child who reaches age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain to never do so.” Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Chairman and President, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Alcohol is a powerful drug that slows the central nervous system and changes the way people think and feel. Since teenagers have not built up physical tolerance, the effects of alcohol can be more dangerous. Teenagers also lack drinking experience and are less apt to judge the amounts that they consume. Teenager’s bodies are a lot smaller than adults and the alcohol can have a greater effect. Alcohol can cause accidents, health problems, and social problems. Intoxication and hangover problems can cause injuries, aggressive behavior and violence, as well as poor school performance. Dependence on alcohol can cause several psychiatric problems, such as: depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and antisocial personality disorder (www.alcohol.gov...).
According to www.focusas.com, alcohol abuse affects adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 20 even though the legal drinking age is 21. The average age at which teenagers begin drinking regularly is 15.9. Research states that over three million teenagers are out-to-out alcoholics. Several million more have a more serious drinking problem in which they cannot handle on their own. The three leading causes of death for 15-to-24 year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides, and suicides with alcohol being one of the leading factors in all three. Alcohol use among teenagers has been associated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide.
Why do teenagers drink? Teenagers are likely to start experimenting with alcohol if they have parents who consume alcohol. They can also be influenced by peer pressure, especially if they have friends...