Alcohol may the world’s oldest known drug. The production of products containing alcohol has become big business in today's society and the consumption and abuse of alcohol has become a major public health problem. The effects of alcohol abuse range from a mild hang over to mass destruction, disease and deaths on a huge scale. Alcohol abuse is due to many factors such as, genetics, how you were raised, your social environment, and your emotional health. Some racial groups, such as American Indians and Native Alaskans, are more at risk than others of being addicted to alcohol. Alcohol use in moderation has little bad effects either for the user or those around them. Some researches show that because of the drinking age law of 21, when teens turn 21 they’ll drink even more, but others are against that.
Alcoholism is a major problem that affects not only adults but teenagers as well. Because alcohol is readily available in bars and convenience stores, many teenagers are exposed to drinking at an early age. According to studies, about 5,000 youths die yearly due to underage drinking and yet, despite the numbers, drinking remains to be a huge problem for the nation (“Underage Drinking”). A 2005 Monitoring the Future (MTF) study claims that almost 75% of 12th graders and about 60% of 10th graders have tried consuming alcohol. Furthermore, adolescents now have a tendency to start drinking at an early age, beginning at age 14 in 2003 as compared with 17 year olds in 1965. Adults who asserted that they began drinking at the age of 15 showed indications of alcohol dependence in the latter parts of their life. This gives credence to previous studies proving that middle age alcoholism problems may have begun earlier in life. In addition, the study reveals that the earlier the individual engages in alcohol drinking, the higher the possibility that the individual will also try smoking, cocaine, marijuana, multiple sexual partners, and failing grades in school (“Underage Drinking”).
Alcoholism does not only lead to the inability to control the urge to drink, but also powerlessness to control one’s life. Mann et al., (2013) asserted that, “the link between alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, AMD, and their serious consequences is readily observable at the population level” (p. 249). As the individual becomes enslaved in drinking, he or she slowly develops a dependency on alcohol such that not being able to drink in a day would already display withdrawal symptoms such as eye and hand coordination problems, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and memory lapses. Aside from these physical manifestations of alcoholism, alcoholics also show signs of psychiatric disorders such as depression, which is most oftentimes masked by emotional problems. Bi-polar disorder is also another sign of psychiatric disorder. It is said to be the second most observable disorder in alcoholics. In manic depressives, diagnosis is quite challenging considering that some patients underreport symptoms and mood changes. They are also prone to abusing drugs other than alcohol, including cocaine and methamphetamine, thus, a misdiagnosis of the disorder occurs. Alcoholics also exhibit symptoms of anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and social phobia, although it is important to be able to distinguish between alcohol-induced anxiety and independent anxiety disorder. The former, alcohol-induced anxiety, typically occurs after bouts of drinking and lasts for days. With treatment and alcohol avoidance, it is possible for the patient to withdraw from drinking and heal. On the other hand, independent anxiety disorders occur even without the consumption of alcohol (Shivani, Goldsmith, & Anthenelli, 2002).
In an interview with Mr. Khaled (personal communication, October 16, 2013) pertaining his early experiences in drinking alcohol, he claims that, “It was fun when I was 18 but it is not anymore”. His reaction is primarily based on reasons why under aged teens drink. For instance, those who see drinking as a pleasurable experience are more likely to try drinking. This is because of expectancy influences that a child is exposed to during his or her childhood days. If at the age of nine a child sees drinking as bad, then he or she will not even attempt to drink during his adolescent life (Shivani, Goldsmith, & Anthenelli, 2002).
Teenagers are more tolerant of alcohol than adults are that is why more teenagers engage in binge drinking. They also do not feel the negative consequences of drinking such as drowsiness, hangover, and headache and are more likely to appreciate the positive benefits of drinking, which includes feelings of ease when in company of other people (Shivani, Goldsmith, & Anthenelli, 2002). Harbi, another teenager who enjoys drinking with friends during parties and in bars, claims, there is “nothing [that] would stop me from partying” (personal communication, October 20, 2013).
However, as Mr. Khaled says, “Alcohol makes you hurt yourself without feeling that you do” (personal communication, October 16, 2013). This is because drinking alcohol somehow affects the brain, especially an adolescent’s brain. While the effects are not easily noticeable, they are there and have an effect on an individual’s memory skills. Moreover, drinking too much alcohol damages one’s liver by elevating liver enzymes. This is the reason why people suffer from liver cancer, although studies also reveal that it can develop on teenagers who are obese despite drinking alcohol in moderation. In young drinkers, early experience with alcohol could result to stunted growth in both male and female drinkers, especially when they are exposed to alcohol early in life (Shivani, Goldsmith, & Anthenelli, 2002).
On the social front, alcohol plays a role in everyday social life, as it marks the transition from work environment to one that is more of play. Through alcohol, friends enjoy each other’s company and thus, spend more time with each other. Social occasions are basically influenced by culture, the place where drinking occurs, and how people involved in the drinking activity perceive the effects of alcohol. Alcohol also enhances an individual’s mood, which pushes the person to socialize with others more. It is said that the immediate effects of alcohol include happiness, expressions of positive disposition, relaxation, euphoria, and increased self-confidence. However, if it has positive effects, alcohol consumption also has its negative side. Because the purpose of drinking is to become intoxicated, it can also lead to social harm, including fights and misunderstandings in the home life, relationships, or friendships. Studies reveal that alcoholism affects marital life, which oftentimes lead to divorce or marital strife as well as one of the reasons why child abuse cases abound.
Alcohol drinking is a widely accepted activity that teenagers go through, and yet, it spells the difference on whether they will pursue it in adulthood or not. It is dangerous not only for society, but for the underage drinker as well, especially considering the growing number of drunk-driving incidences. Because of this, “America must renew its commitment to addressing as a true national community those issues that [affect] the health, safety and forward development of youth” (Wallace, 2013, p. 12). Considering that causes and symptoms are obvious when it comes to alcoholic people, then the government must remain vigilant in educating the youth about responsible drinking and the ill-effects of alcoholism.
References
Khaled, A. Personal communication. 16 October 2013.
Harbi, A. Personal communication. 20 October 2013.
Mann, R. E., Ialomiteanu, A. R., Chan, V., Cheung, J. W., Stoduto, G., Ala-Leppilampi, K., & Rehm, J. (2012). Relationships of alcohol use and alcohol problems to probable anxiety and mood disorder. Contemporary Drug Problems, 39(2), 247-263.
“Underage drinking.” (2006). Alcohol Alert, 67. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm
Shivani, R., Goldsmith, R. J., & Anthenelli, R. M. (2002). Alcoholism and psychiatric disorders. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/90-98.htm
Wallace, S. (2013). The fierce urgency of now. New York Amsterdam News.
