Alcohol consumption can be risky, especially for individuals who have become dependent on the substance or drink excessively. There are also many dangers of beginning alcohol consumption at an early age. Alcohol consumption at an early age comes with many risks. This is mainly because adolescent brain maturation takes many years, and alcohol interferes with this process. Aside from the fact that the adolescent brain is not fully developed, several other factors in our youth increase the risk of becoming dependent on alcohol later in adulthood.
Getting adolescents, teenagers, or young adults to recognize and acknowledge the dangers of alcohol consumption is easier said than done. Nevertheless, discussing the risks with your child, friend, or family member who is drinking underage is vital to prevent them from developing an addiction. For more information and resources regarding the prevention of youth alcohol use, talk to a professional today.
As stated above, many risks are associated with alcohol use at a young age. However, underage use alone is often not enough to cause the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a type of substance use disorder (SUD) "characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences." There is no single cause of AUD. So, what factors would lead a young person to start drinking?
The first factor that often leads to underage drinking is peer pressure. Especially in high school, youth often feel immense pressure to fit in. This pressure may cause them to drink because they think it makes them look cool or gets them in with a popular crowd. They may also be looking to lower their inhibitions in social gatherings.
Additionally, home life may cause teenagers to act out and use substances. Childhood trauma, violence, or other forms of neglect and abuse is damaging to children. Without healthy coping techniques or a safe and stable environment, youth may begin self-medicating to cope with their trauma. More often than not, the easiest way for them to do that is through alcohol use.
Another factor to consider when thinking about why youth start drinking is culture. In the United States, alcohol is a large and widely accepted part of our culture. Family cookouts, tailgating at football games, and even the office holiday party are all scenarios where alcohol may have a strong presence. There is nothing inherently wrong with this fact. However, it is worth noting that children observe adults throughout their lives drinking like it's no big deal. It is no wonder they may begin experimenting at an early age when drinking is such a typical phenomenon.
Recognizing the prevalence of substance use among our youth is imperative to preventing alcohol consumption at an early stage. Alcohol consumption is more "widespread than use of tobacco or illicit drugs." The amount of alcohol use among youth reached an all-time low in 2011. Nevertheless, the risks of alcohol use are dangerous enough that the lowest number in history is still not low enough.
Though people ages 12 to 20 drink less than adults, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that over 90% of "alcoholic drinks consumed by youth are consumed through binge drinking." Binge drinking is a particularly dangerous way to engage in an already dangerous phenomenon. Underage drinking continues to be common across the country. Despite knowing the risks, it seems challenging to prevent it from occurring.
Drinking, especially excessive or binge drinking, is associated with many risks at any age. In youth and adults alike, excessive drinking can lead to health complications and chronic conditions, even causing death. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several risks associated with underage drinking. Those risks include:
Consider seeking addiction treatment for your child immediately to prevent these dangers from occurring.
No parent wants their child to struggle with AUD, but it does happen. Parents should consider youth or young adult treatment programs to help their child achieve recovery. It will be hard to see your child go through detox and withdrawal and spend time away from them. However, the alternative — a life stuck in addiction — will be much harder to watch. You can support your child in their struggle with addiction by helping them find treatment today.
When we think of alcohol use disorder (AUD), we typically associate it with adults who can not control their alcohol consumption. However, underage alcohol consumption has been a problem in our country for many years. Despite record lows in recent years, we must be aware of many risks and dangers of underage drinking. Youths begin drinking for many reasons, such as peer pressure, unhealthy home life, or mental health conditions. However, self-medication with alcohol at an early age can quickly lead to dependence, the development of chronic health conditions, and other life-threatening risks. To prevent these risks from occurring in your child's life, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 and seek treatment for your child today.
