Dangers of Underage Drinking

Narconon Assesses the Dangers of Underage Drinking

Through our years of treating a number of substance abuse problems, counselors at Narconon Vista Bay Rehab have found that a large majority of our clients began to abuse alcohol at an early age.  It is our hope that by educating the public on the dangers and warning signs of adolescent alcohol abuse, we can curb this epidemic and reduce the number of adult alcoholics and drug addicts.

Underage Drinking is a Serious, Yet Socially Accepted Problem

Alcohol is far and away the drug of choice among adolescents and is considered a major public health concern in the United States.

It is estimated that every year, 5,000 individuals under the age of 21 die from alcohol whether directly or indirectly.  Motor vehicle crashes are responsible for 1,900 of those deaths, a staggering 1,600 from homicides, 300 attributed to suicide, with the rest coming from injuries, falls, drowning, and burns.

Despite these troubling statistics, drinking is widespread amongst our youth.  In 2005, Monitoring the Future (MTF) conducted their annual survey and found that three quarters of children in 12^th grade, two thirds of those in 10^th grade and roughly two out of five 8^th graders have experimented with alcohol.  What makes this even more troubling is the fact that when kids drink, they generally drink to excess, frequently consuming five or more drinks at a time.

Furthermore, research is indicating that drinking starts in adolescents at very young ages. The average age of the first use of alcohol in 2003 was 14.  That is a stark contrast to 1965, where the average age was 17. What’s more, those individuals who started drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to suffer from alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.

Underage drinking also contributes to other risky behaviors such as using illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine and engage in risky sexual behaviors. These kids are also more likely to receive low marks (D’s and F’s) in school.

Why do Kids Drink?

Moving from adolescence to young adulthood is a highly dramatic time for many people.  As kids begin to experience physical, emotional and social transformations, many turn to alcohol for a variety of reasons.

Seeking Thrills from Alcohol

Some kids may experiment with alcohol as a way to fill a desire for thrill seeking. Very often, teens will seek out ways to find danger and excitement in life without regard for the consequences. This can often manifest in alcohol abuse.

Many kids develop expectancy that drinking will create an enjoyable sensation for them as well as an ability to be more relaxed and sociable while under the influence. This leads to alcohol use as an escape from any unpleasant feelings and can greatly fuel abuse of this substance.

Environmental Factors of Underage Drinking

The influence of parents and peers plays a huge role in alcohol use for adolescents.  Kids who have friends who drink are more likely to drink.  Children who grow up in households where alcohol is abused and viewed in a favorable light will be more prone to drink. Girls who date older boys that drink are also more likely to experiment with alcohol.

Health Impacts Due to Drinking Alcohol as an Adolescent

Scientists are currently studying how subtle changes in the brain caused by underage drinking may create long term problems with cognitive abilities and memory. Tests done on animals have shown long term impairment when given alcohol at a young age but sufficient studies have not been done in humans to make a definitive diagnosis.  Adolescents who drink have shown elevated liver enzymes.  The presence of these enzymes indicates liver damage to some degree.  Drinking alcohol during puberty may impact hormonal development.  This can impact the development of bones, organs and muscles, as well as the development of the reproductive system.

Putting an end to Adolescent Alcohol Abuse

Narconon Drug Education runs a worldwide campaign aimed at helping kids make correct decisions when it comes to abuse of alcohol and other drugs.  Narconon Drug Education Counselors have found that when kids are given the true information on how substances affect a human and the dangers they pose, they are much more likely to avoid these dangerous substances.

Along with drug education programs from Narconon, there are a number of social and government organizations devoted to harm reduction for underage drinking and drug use. Moreover, being responsible for your kids and their awareness of the dangers posed by alcohol can make a huge difference. Parents should open a dialogue with their kids based on honesty and trust. This may be the single most effective tool in combating the dangers posed by substance abuse. At Narconon Vista Bay Rehab, we believe that by working together for the benefit of younger generations, we can begin to create a world free from alcohol and drug addiction.

For more information on Narconon Drug Education, Prevention and Rehabilitation, contact Narconon Vista Bay Rehab today.

Sources:

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa67/aa67.htm

See Also:  The History of Alcoholism in America