Teens in the United States face a growing problem when it comes to alcohol use. According to HelpGuide.org, the average girl who lives in the United States will have her first alcoholic drink by the age of 13 and the average boy in the United States will have his first drink by age 11. There are many risk factors involved with teen drinking, these include depression, traffic accidents and criminal behavior. If a teen begins to drink alcohol before the age of 21, he or she is more likely to:
● Display violent behavior
● Attempt suicide
● Participate in unprotected sex
● Have alcohol and drug abuse problems later in life
Teen drinking impacts brain development
If a teen drinks alcohol, it can have a negative impact on brain development. The brain continues to develop until an individual is in his or her early twenties. Evidence, which was collected from human brain imaging studies, showed that underage alcohol use is harmful to a developing brain. When a teen partakes in long-term alcohol use, the effect on brain development could lead to cognitive defects. However, it is not known if these defects are permanent.
Teenage drinking can cause poor academic performance
Teens who drink alcohol on a regular basis will not perform as well academically as teens who do not consume alcohol. A study was conducted on teen drinking and published in 2007, which revealed that an estimated two-thirds of middle and high school students with mostly A’s do not consume alcohol and almost half of middle and high school students with mostly D’s and F’s stated they drink on a regular basis or participate in binge drinking.
Teen drinking can lead to delayed growth
Puberty is a vital time for hormonal development and growth. If a teen drinks alcohol during puberty, he or she can disrupt the hormonal balance that is needed for the healthy development of organs, bones, and muscles. Studies have been performed using animals that prove alcohol consumption while in puberty can have adverse effects on the maturation of the reproductive system.
Alcohol can lead to teen drug use
When a teen drinks alcohol, it can increase the likelihood that he or she will try other drugs in the future. Alcohol is thought to be a gateway to other drugs such as marijuana, pain pills, cocaine, LSD and club drugs. If a teen is under the influence of alcohol, his or her judgment is impaired, putting them at higher risk for experimenting with drugs. When an individual begins to use drugs in his or her teen years, he or she is at an increased risk for developing an addiction to drugs.
Alcohol is a cause of teen sex crimes
HelpGuide.org reported that underage drinking is a primary factor when it comes to sexual assault and rape in teens. It was reported that every year in the United States an estimated 97,000 students are victims of sexual assault or date rape when alcohol was a contributing factor.
Alcohol use in teens is a cause of risky sexual behavior
It is important for parents to keep an open line of communication with their teens to prevent underage drinking. There are many ways underage drinking can cause harm. Teens are often more mature than they appear. If parents explain the dangers of drinking to their child, they may prevent the chances of them using alcohol.