Alcoholism is a behavioral disorder based on the consumption of large quantities of alcoholic beverages over a prolonged period of time. This behavior carries serious consequences of various kinds, being very destructive.
But also, this problem becomes much more serious when the consumer is a teenager. In this Psychology-Online article we will delve into what they are. the causes and consequences of alcoholism in adolescents.
Causes of alcoholism in young people
The reasons why a young person begins to drink alcohol, subsequently continuing with an intake that normally increases over time, are varied. Generally, the main reasons for starting alcohol consumption refer to social factors. Young people usually start drinking when in their closest environment, as is usually their Group of friendswith whom they go out and interact, consuming alcohol is seen as something that promotes fun and makes them part of the group.
That sense of membership in a group It is something characteristic of many animal species, among which humans are one more. But, it is something especially relevant in the case of adolescence, when one most needs the acceptance of others to feel safe. This need to be accepted is what leads many young people to start drinking alcohol. Furthermore, it is common for them to explain how this alcohol allows them to have fun and have a good time when they go out, creating a dependency on it to be able to enjoy their leisure time.
Another of the most frequent reasons for young people to consume alcohol is that alcohol allows them lose shame, very typical during puberty, opening up and becoming uninhibited. In this way, many young people say that it is much easier for them to meet people, start talking to the person they like or do anything else that in normal situations shame would prevent them from doing.
In addition, there are sociocultural factors that predispose adolescents to consume alcohol and other substances. Some of them are: come from broken families or poor family relationships, vulnerability and/or risk of social exclusion and family history of substance abuse.
In too many cases, the problem comes from psychological alterations such as depression, anxiety (since alcohol has depressant effects on the nervous system, acting as an anxiolytic), stress, self-esteem problems or personality alterations. In these cases, the main thing is to solve the underlying problem, because only then can excessive alcohol consumption be treated later.
Consequences of alcohol consumption in young people
Prolonged alcohol consumption entails a series of consequences, both organic and emotional and social. The ethanol molecules that are present in spirit drinks have a series of effects on our body. These effects are much greater in young people, given that their body is in full development, making the effects much more decisive. The main consequences of alcohol in adolescents are:
- Neural alterations: Alcohol consumption modifies the functioning of numerous brain receptors and therefore many neuronal circuits. This has serious effects, especially in young people, as it seriously affects their brain development. Here you will find more information about the .
- Endocrine disorders: Consuming large amounts of alcohol causes changes at the hormonal level. This causes, among other things, the production of hormones as important as growth hormone to be altered, which is essential for the proper functioning of the human body.
- Increased risk of developing diseases: Being a toxic substance, at high doses, alcohol causes cellular alterations in all tissues. Therefore, it promotes the appearance of tumors, especially at the oral, pharyngeal, breast, rectal, esophageal, hepatic and laryngeal levels.
- Weakening of the immune system: Another consequence of alcohol consumption in young people is the impact on the immune system, which makes an organism much more susceptible to contracting both viral and bacterial infections. These diseases are of all types, cardiac, respiratory, reproductive…
- Gastrointestinal disorders: Alcohol is a substance that, in addition to being very toxic, is highly irritating to the gastric mucosa. This means that high consumption of alcoholic beverages causes serious stomach and intestinal disorders, leading to the appearance of vomiting, gastritis, ulcers and more.
- Cardiovascular effects: including heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure or cardiomyopathies.
- Social and emotional problems: Another consequence of alcoholism in adolescents is the impact on the social and emotional area. The continued and excessive consumption of alcohol, by causing all the imbalances mentioned above, causes a series of alterations at both a social and emotional level. Some may be the aggression, depression or anxiety.
How to prevent alcoholism in young people
Given the harmful consequences that alcoholism has on our body, our social relationships, our mind and feelings, it is essential to avoid the start of said consumption, especially the earlier it can be.
The prevention of alcoholism in adolescents It must be carried out in numerous areas, requiring multidisciplinary intervention. Furthermore, it must be done at all possible levels, from individual individuals to groups of friends, families, schools and the media.
It is recommended to perform awareness campaigns for the general population. These must include both warning messages young people as rabbits for families, so that they have the necessary tools to prevent their children from consuming alcohol at an early age. In this way, experts indicate that one of the most decisive factors for a teenager to drink alcohol is their family environment, since the parents’ position and customs regarding alcohol consumption are decisive in most cases.
The work from schools and institutes is also important, helping teachers to carry out a health education and values that allows young people to make appropriate decisions to ensure their health.
On the other hand, it is also important to teach social skills such as assertiveness that can help adolescents manage situations in which peer pressure is exerted. Here you will find .
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This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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References
Bibliography
- Jernigan, D.H., & World Health Organization. (2001). Global status report: alcohol and young people (No. WHO/MSD/MSB/01.1). Geneva: World Health Organization.
- Kogan, S. M. (2017). The role of parents and families in preventing young adult alcohol use. Journal of Adolescent Health61(2), 127-128.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (US). (2011). TOAlcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
- Zeigler, DW, Wang, CC, Yoast, RA, Dickinson, BD, McCaffree, MA, Robinowitz, CB, & Sterling, ML (2005). The neurocognitive effects of alcohol on adolescents and college students. Preventive medicine40(1), 23-32.