"The Dangers of Teen Alcohol Abuse"
By Jim Burns, Ph.D.
Alcohol is still the predominant drug of choice for adolescents today. The average age that a young person tries alcohol for the first time is 13 for girls and 11 for boys. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become an alcoholic than those who began drinking at age 21. In addition to the dangers of becoming addicted to alcohol, teen alcohol abuse also involves the following dangers:
Accidents. Under the influence of alcohol, teens can believe that nothing can hurt them. Because alcohol also reduces inhibitions, the combination can lead to risk taking behaviors. More adolescents die of accidents (all kinds) than any other cause. Motor vehicle accidents are the single leading cause of death for adolescents. Research continues to show that adolescent drivers are involved in more alcohol-related automobile accidents than any other comparable age group.
Violence. Teens under the influence of alcohol are more likely to express violent behavior than teens who are sober
Alcohol use can lead to harder drug abuse. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), "Over the past two decades, growing evidence has emerged which suggests that cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana can act as "gateways" in a demonstrated progression to the use of other illicit drugs like cocaine. Early use of these substances by children may in fact be an important marker for the use of other drugs and may be a predictor of future abuse or addiction."
Pregnancy & sexually transmitted diseases. Under the influence of alcohol, teens are more likely to make unwise decisions about sexual behaviors. The result of sexual activity, of course, can be pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Date or "acquaintance" rape. Under the influence of alcohol, adolescents have been sexually assaulted by someone they know. Often times, the perpetrator of the crime, has assisted the victim in becoming intoxicated.
Trouble with the law. As it is illegal for adolescents to drink before the age of 21, any kind of social drinking is illegal. Depending on the circumstance of when an adolescent is caught drinking by law enforcement officials, it can result in embarrassment, revoking of driving privileges, jail time and a criminal record.
Side-effects. Alcohol is a toxic substance to the human body. At some point, one's body can have serious side-effects to alcohol - even for novice drinkers - such as vomiting, passing out, and in the case of alcohol-poisoning, death.
Damaged Relationships. Alcohol abuse in teens often damages primary relationships with family and friends. This may be due to a negative response on the part of family and friends to the alcohol abuser - but often the relational damage is caused by the actions of the alcohol abuser, through lies, defensive behaviors or violence.
