There are many negative effects of alcohol on adolescents.
Adolescents who regularly consume alcohol pose a risk for both the adolescent and society. The effects of alcohol consumption negatively affect memory performance, increase promiscuity and pose a risk to society by increasing traffic accidents and juvenile delinquency. Adolescents who drink also have a higher chance of adult alcohol dependency.
Neurological Effects
Alcohol has a large impact on the brain of an adolescent. Because an adolescent's brain is not fully developed, alcohol consumption can lead to structural brain damage that may reduce the ability to memorize information, solve problems and retrieve information. Alcohol consumption in adolescents can also damage the frontal limbic system that can lead to poor self-control and decision-making, aggressive behavior and lack of respect for morals and values.
Future Alcohol Dependency
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction than people who began drinking at the age of 21 or older. This statistic is especially true for adolescents who have a family history of alcohol addiction.
Drinking and Driving
Forty percent of all fatal crashes involving alcohol are due to adolescent drinking and driving. Adolescents may lack the proper judgment to determine they are too drunk to drive or fear calling home for a ride. Alcohol-related crashes are the leading cause of death among adolescents.
Suicide
The third leading cause of death among adolescents is suicide. Alcohol is a cause for chemical imbalances in the brain. The chemical imbalances can cause stress and depression, which is a large contributing factor to suicide attempts.
High-Risk Sex
High-risk sex is the act of having unprotected sex or having sex with multiple partners. Having high-risk sex contributes to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Adolescents who consume large amounts of alcohol suffer from impaired judgment, thus increasing the probability of participating in high-risk sex. In addition, adolescents are more likely to be forced to participate in sexual activities while under the influence of alcohol.
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