Alcoholism and Adolescent

Believe it or not, an adolescent has more chances of becoming an alcoholic than any other age group in the world. In North America alone, eight-one percent of all teenagers have consumed more than one alcoholic beverage within the past month. The problem with the adolescent age group is the fact that they lack a lot of the judgment adults have, and the effects of alcohol can have long-term effects on their life. Alcohol can also have fatal effects on teenagers, such as driving while impaired, lack of common judgment, and suicide.

It is a noteworthy fact that those adolescents whom consume alcohol have a much higher chance of committing suicide. In fact, alcohol is one of the number one contributors to teenage suicide within North America. This is alarming, as with more than eighty percent of the population drinking monthly, the suicide rate may increase. Researchers believe that this suicide alcohol-related cause is due to a few different factors. The first of which is their lack of judgment. This alone can cause them to commit unintentional suicide, as they may try to show their pride via performing a reckless task. Another common factor is the fact that dependencies grow. Without alcohol, a teenager whom is addicted will suffer withdrawal symptoms; often causing unnecessary depression and anxiety. The only way to get rid of these side-effects, in an adolescents mind, is to commit suicide. Teenagers whom consume alcohol are, on average, seventeen times more likely to commit suicide.

Adolescents will also suffer from lack of judgment. Most individuals already know that this means a higher chance of driving while impaired, but there are other scenarios that could happen due to this lack of judgment. For instance, hiking while in the dark and falling off a cliff. Another would be riding a bike while it is dark and crashing into a car. Simple scenarios like this often result in disaster, and while you may think that could never happen, the judgment to avoid these situations is not present when one drinks. Adolescent will often need counseling or a good treatment for alcohol abuse in Ontario.

The early and adolescent begins to start consuming alcohol; the higher the odds are that they will suffer from an alcoholic addition or dependency later on in life. Approximately forty percent of individuals whom begin drinking at the age of fourteen will develop alcoholic addictions. This is quite different than those adolescents who begin drinking at the age of twenty. Those who do only have a ten percent chance to develop these same problems. Scientists and researchers believe that this startling number and difference is because of the way the human brain grows and develops, and more importantly, how alcohol affects the brain in those individuals who are fourteen.

The brain cells are damaged and some are killed every single time an adolescent drinks alcohol. This results in lower grades over time and poor judgment, but it also results in a dependency scenario. The average fourteen year-old will enjoy the excitement and thrill that illegally drinking provides. They may drink more frequently for the thrill of it, and as they do, it will require more alcohol to meet that need. The lack of judgment associated with this is dire. In addition, they will use it as a coping method to deal with falling grades and poor social skills. While this may only last a month or two before parents intervene, the problem will arise again within their late twenties. They will feel the same stress and social difficulties when living by themselves, and will remember how easy it was when they drank at the age of fourteen. This pattern will bring them back into an alcoholic lifestyle.

Adolescents are one of the highest age groups at risk for developing certain alcohol dependencies and addictions. Proper education must be enforced to ensure they know what is right from wrong and what can happen if alcohol is misused. Parents must enforce strict no tolerance rules for alcoholic consumption, otherwise the disrespect for the laws issued by the government will result in adolescents disregarding your rules and guidelines.

It is imperative that a parent discusses the effects of alcohol, and helps their adolescent realize the importance of responsible drinking. This could save your son or daughter from years of frustration and depression.

^{Reference:
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/AboutNIAAA/NIAAASponsoredPrograms/AlcoholAdolescentHealth.htm}