The Effects of Teen Alcoholism

Alcoholism can cause countless problems in teen lives. Some problems have internal effects, while others are more external. There is overlap between the two, of course.

Internally, alcohol has a much more significant effect on teens than it does on adults. Teenage brains and bodies are still growing, which leaves them more vulnerable. For example, the prefrontal cortex, which controls rational thinking and judgment, is not yet developed in teenagers, and so is very easily inhibited by drinking. Drunk teens are still capable of reasoning, but they are far less likely to make well-thought-out decisions than if they were sober or older. Alcohol also affects motor functions, reaction time, and awareness, which can cause drunk driving accidents and other injuries.

In a more external and social sense, alcoholism can lead to many life-altering incidents, most of which do not just affect the alcoholic. These are most common when alcohol is combined with sexual activity. Teenagers often make poor choices regarding sex even while sober, so inebriated and hormonal teens are just a recipe for a whole batch of STDs and babies. These are not issues that just go away, and neither is the violence that alcoholism can cause. Most domestic abuse is related to alcoholic behavior, and that lifestyle can start at an early age.

Picture source:
"Alcohol and Your Brain: What to Know." Too Smart To Start. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. .