The legal drinking age for most countries is between 18-21 years; however, many young people in various countries consume alcohol even below this age. Some abuse the drug frequently or by binge drinking. The progression of the use of alcohol to its abuse among the youths is dependent on the biological and psychological factors. Most of the young people consume alcohol oblivious of its consequences (Gifford, 57). Some consider alcohol consumption among the youths as the interplay of ignorance, which is blissand a form of experiment. Alcohol use among the youths is becoming a serious health issue among different countries.
There are many consequences that result from alcohol abuse. Some of these effects adversely affects the youths in their later life while some of the impacts are related to violence and accidents. It is thus ansignificant factor to consider the effects of underage drinking. The research on alcoholism effect on youths should be examined in light of the number of youths who are not involved in the abuse of the drug. Alcohol offers a faster way of losing inhibitions and giving considerable moods. This explains why alcohol is a darling to many young people. Reduction of alcohol use among the youths should be considered a key health priority for many policy makers. In this scope health, professionals should play the main role in leading the prevention of its abuse.
The magnitude of alcohol abuse among the youths causes ripples in every sector; however, the main concern of alcohol abuse is its effects on youths. As one of the most commonly abused drug, alcohol use affects both cognitive and physical function. Excessive drinking of alcohol imparts negatively on self-control. It also reduces the ability to process information and assess any incoming risks. Alcohol abuse has been linked to unhealthy sexual behavior. The effects of this abuse are extrapolated and usually predispose the abuser to incidents of HIV/AIDS infection. Alcohol use and HIV/AIDS infection cannot be undermined especially when the individual indulges in the aforementioned sexual behaviors. Alcohol abuse among the youths can lead to emotional liability and impulsivity (Gifford, 69). This leads to incidences of violence when the drinker is confronted.
Youths who abuse alcohol are likely to suffer from its side effects. Some of the side effects associated by alcohol abuse include appetite changes, headaches, sleep disturbances and weight loss. Addiction to alcohol by many youths leads to unhealthy eating habits or poor diet. Consumption of alcohol in excess may lead to intoxication which leads to vomiting and coma. It is apparent that alcohol addiction may lead to serious organ damages such as the liver and kidneys. Excessive consumption of alcohol among the youths predisposes them to liver diseases. The youths are at the active developmental period, which is extremely sensitive (Saunders & Rey, 138). Alcohol abuse poses a substantial danger in faculties of the brain that execute proper functioning and long term memory. The makes the youths to be victims of memory loss. Incidences of memory loss and forgetfulness culminate to poor academic and professional performance. Apart from long term memory loss, alcohol use leads too brain cell damage among the youths. This is later followed by cognitive deficits to the user once he/she is exposed to the drug.
The inexperience of effects of alcohol intoxication among the youths leads to abuse of alcohol in risky environments. This exposes them to incidents of accidents and injuries among the drinkers. Alcohol is a leading contributor to injury among the youths. It plays a significant role in traumatic braindamages. There are chances of increased adolescent deaths emanating from homicides, unprecedented injuries and suicide. Most of young drinkers, unaware of their surroundings, become victims of the accidents such as drowning, falls and severe burns. Alcohol related road accidents have been a prime cause of accidents and injuries among the youths.
Cognitive and learning impairment has been associated with alcohol use. Excess alcohol in the body is a potential neurotoxin which imparts negatively on the learning capability of alcohol abusers. Uncoordinated cognitive motor skills among the young drinkers lead to low learning capacity.
It has been proven that alcohol abuse leads to feeling of depression which leads to low levels of serotonin in the blood. Among the young habitual drinkers, alcohol abuse has been related to co-morbid psychiatric problems (Wallace, 134). In many quarters of research, it has been proven that anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem and lack of success is associated to alcohol abuse. Detailed studies show that alcohol abuse is not an effective way of producing relaxation. Various medical reviews show a co-existence between alcohol use and mental health problems. Some of these mental health problems have been associated with antisocial behavior among the youths. Alcohol is a psychoactive substance which has psychosocial effects (Wallace, 278). The antisocial and the interpersonal and intrapersonal problems among the youths can be linked to alcohol abuse. Among the psychosocial effects of alcohol abuse in youths include negative mood, withdrawal syndromes, aggressiveness, temperament and addiction on alcohol.
Alcohol use has a considerable influence on the on the social aspect of an individual's life. Among many reasons that lead to alcohol abuse among the youths, is the lack of communication and proper guidance from the family (Saunders & Rey, 179). The environment in which the child is brought-up can steer underage drinking among the youths. Social effects of alcoholism are an overlooked aspect since most of the research is concerned with the health impacts. Alcoholtriggered psychomotor impairment has much effect than those on health. Friends are considered to be part of the social fabric. This fabric provides a necessary environment that fosters drinking (Galanter, 154). There exists a mutual influence where young people are selected to be the friends of the drinkers. In the same manner, young people select their friends under the umbrella of drinking preferences. This provides a wide network of friends who share compatibility in the drinking behavior. The mutual processes are hidden under the umbrella of “peer pressure”. Thus, in many societies, there exists a conflict of interest between familial obligation and drinking with the peers.
The effects of this conflict are negligence to the responsibilities. Young parents who consume alcohol faces grave consequences of eventual family break-up. An alcoholic can cause family disruption, which can last even to a lifetime. Addiction to alcohol has been a leading cause of spousal abuse (Alters & Schiff, 120). This majorly affects the young women in a relationship. Alcohol abuse also leads to physical and verbal abuse to women. Physical violence in most relationship has been associated with alcohol abuse. This leads to short term relationships and lowering the self-dignity and that of others. Most young women in a relationship agree that alcohol is a common denominator to physical attack by their spouses. Domestic violence among the young relationship has many impacts such as serious physical injuries, long-term psychological effects and in rare cases death.
Criminal and disorderly behavior among the youths is more prevalent on those that consume alcohol. This is normally the aftermath of alcohol drinking. Brawls and fight breakouts is a common scene in the drinking areas. Some of these fights lead to serious physical injuries especially to the young male binge drinkers(Alters & Schiff, 120). The aggression towards the people one loves especially under the influence of alcohol leads to loss of friends and damage of relationship. Persons under the influence of alcohol attract all sorts of friends. In this case, there is persuasion to do things that do not measure up to one owns character. This results to regrets after a normalcy in positive thinking (Galnter, 178). Some of the behaviors done by the serial drinkers in the public are a source of embarrassment to individuals and their friends and family members. Alcohol abuse has been associated with loss of individual productivity. Al lot of time is wasted when an individual is involved in drinking. Alcohol drinking leads to loss of concentration at job or school. In the long run, poor performance follows.
It is eminent that alcohol can adversely affect the life of the youths. Most of the consequences range from social effects and detrimental health influences. Abstinence from alcohol abuse should be policy in many institutions where youths are involved. The youthful age is most productive period in life. Loss of this stage to alcoholism has adverse effects in economies of many countries. Sensitization and proper guidance to the youths will go a long way in curbing addiction to alcohol(Alters & Schiff, 120).
Works cited
Alters, Sandra & Schiff, Wendy.Essential Concepts for Healthy Living Update. New York:Jones & Bartlett Learning.2011. Print.
Galanter, Marc.Alcohol Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults: Epidemiology, Neurobiology, Prevention, Treatment.New York: Springer. 2005. Print.
Gifford, Maria.Alcoholism.Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. 2009. Print.
Saunders, John & Rey, Joseph.Young People and Alcohol: Impact, Policy, Prevention, Treatment. New York:John Wiley & Sons.2011. Print.
Wallace, Stephen.Reality Gap: Alcohol, Drugs, and Sex--What Parents Don't Know and Teens Aren't Telling. New York:Sterling Publishing Company.2008. Print.
