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Alcohol is the Drug of Choice Among Adolescents: Three-fourths
of 12th graders, more than two-thirds of 10th graders, and
about two in five 8th graders have consumed alcohol (more
than a few sips) in their lifetime. Forty-five percent of
12th graders; 34 percent of 10th graders; and 17 percent of
8th graders reported using alcohol in the past month –
more than cigarettes and marijuana combined.
The younger your teen is when they start drinking, the greater
their chance of becoming addicted to alcohol at some point
in their lives. More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking
before age 15 eventually become alcoholic.
It is important for parents to know the facts about alcohol
and drug use and to be prepared, considering nearly a third
of 12 and 13-year-olds has been offered and used an illicit
drug. However, it’s promising that when teens know the
facts, dangers, and risks associated with drug use they are
42% less likely to use them.
From birth through adolescence, a complex cascade of biological,
psychological, and social development interacts with dynamic
environmental influences, leading to behavior that may either
move individuals toward or away from underage drinking.
· The Adolescent Brain May be Particularly
Vulnerable to the Effects of Alcohol: Important developmental
changes in the adolescent brain may make teenagers particularly
vulnerable to the effects of alcohol:1
- Risk-taking in General: The limbic areas
of the brain, which are thought to regulate emotions and
are associated with an adolescent’s lowered sensitivity
to risk and propensity for novelty and sensation seeking,
mature earlier than the frontal lobes, which are thought
to be responsible for self regulation, judgment, reasoning,
problem solving, and impulse control. This difference in
maturational timing across the brain can result in impulsive
decisions or actions, a disregard for consequences, and
emotional reactions that can put teenagers at serious risk.2
- Reactions to Alcohol: Studies conducted
with animals provide important information that may shed
light on human developmental processes. For example, adolescent
animals are less sensitive than adults to some of the aversive
effects of acute alcohol intoxication, such as sedation,
hangovers, and loss of coordination. At the same time, they
are more sensitive to alcohol’s effects on social
facilitation. These studies suggest that adolescents who
drink may enjoy the positive sensations more than adults.
They may also experience fewer of the immediate negative
effects, such as sleepiness and hangovers, which often serve
as protective factors for older drinkers.
A Variety of Developmental Factors Influence Underage
Drinking: Risk and protective factors for alcohol
use shift throughout adolescence.3
- Transitions: Transitions, such as moving
from elementary school to middle school, and from middle
school to high school, may present increased risk for alcohol
use, but also opportunities for intervention.
- Stress: Increased stress may lead to
alcohol use
- Unique Circumstances or Personality Traits:
Youth with the following characteristics are more likely
to consume alcohol than are other young people:
- Unusually strong desire for new experiences and sensations
- History of behavior problems
- Presence of family conflict and/or alcohol problems
We at Inspirations understand the unique
challenges of being a parent. If you have any questions, please
know that we are here to provide you with support and guidance,
24 hours a day, seven days a week. We welcome the opportunity
to answer your questions free of charge about teen behavior,
substance use, adolescent addiction, teen drug rehab, or other
related matters. If you would prefer, please fill out
our short form and one of our counselors will respond.
Toll free teen treatment center helpline: 1-888-387-6237 or
e-mail
us.
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