Alcohol Abuse Among Adolescents

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Many American’s are aware the United States is currently facing a drug epidemic, a plague in which the abuse of alcohol in adolescents reflects the increase in moral decay of modern times. This is a major concern because of the detrimental effects it can have upon the adolescence life. The age of which adolescents begin to explore and consume alcohol in the United States, is earlier than it has ever been ("11 Facts About Teens And Alcohol”). The average age of which teenage boys and girls first try alcohol are ages 11 and 13. Which is a concerning issue because it increases the likelihood of an adolescent becoming an alcoholic. In addition, the use of alcohol by adolescents is one of the primary reasons for their deaths; whether it is due …show more content…
As history demonstrates the United States attempt to handle this ongoing problem, with the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s, has only resulted in loss of billions and billions of dollars. Hence, in order to stop the abuse of alcohol and prevent alcoholism in teenagers, it is crucial to first understand the genetic, psychological, and environmental factors that cause adolescents to consume this illicit drug in the first place.
The genetic makeup in a teenager is one of several factors that increase the risk of alcohol abuse among adolescents. By studying large families with alcoholic and nonalcoholic members, comparing identical and fraternal twins, and studying adopted children and their biological and adoptive families, researchers found that about half of our risk for alcoholism is influenced by genetics("Alcohol Alert"). The genes influence the adolescents body by determining how the body will react to alcohol, how sensitive the person is to the effects, and whether or not the person will develop problems with alcohol. …show more content…
The way an individual thinks and behaves; is crucial in understanding how it increases their risk of alcohol abuse. This is due to the drastic changes that unfold in the adolescents development from the stages beginning with birth to childhood, childhood to adolescence, and adolescence to early adulthood. During these different stages, the person undergoes different psychological and social changes that include: the evolving of self sense, formation of mature relationships with friends, and the transitions of middle school to high school. In addition, the adolescents also faces physiological changes that include: physical growth, brain development, and puberty. Hence, examining an adolescent's behavior and looking for abnormal signs is crucial. For example, antisocial behavior, poor self-regulation, poor self-control, anxiety, a tendency toward depression, and shyness may predict initiation of alcohol use in early adolescence, as well as future heavy use and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) ("A Developmental Perspective on Underage Alcohol Use”). The signs mentioned above may lead to alcohol abuse because alcohol is known to temporarily block out emotional pain by affecting the chemicals found in in the brain such as dopamine. As a result of altering these chemical balances, the body begins to crave alcohol in order to restore that pleasurable feeling and
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