Drinking problems affect families all over the world from every different background. Some kids drink alone or with friends to alleviate boredom; others drink to gain confidence, especially in social situations. You can help by exposing your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and after-school clubs.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), teens undergo complex developmental changes, especially in their brains.
- Early onset of drinking, including binge drinking, has been linked to long-term alcohol abuse in adults.
- Additionally, alcohol can disrupt the physical changes the teenage brain undergoes during this stage of development, leading to a decrease in cognitive function and reduced ability to problem solve.
- When an excessive amount of alcohol is consumed, it increases the risk of significant memory loss.
- This can be particularly dangerous for underage drinkers due to the effects of alcohol on the teenage brain.
General Health
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to teen drinking become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas. Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals.
Teen Alcohol Rehab: Alcohol Treatment for Teenagers
While not everyone who drank as a teen will have long-term sleep issues, some might still struggle with things like https://ecosoberhouse.com/ falling asleep or staying asleep as young adults. This can leave them feeling tired and sluggish, which can make it harder to stay focused at work or school, manage stress, or feel their best in daily life. Because of the way drinking as a teen impacts the still-developing hippocampus, it can become harder to remember things, whether it’s stuff they learn in class or simple everyday things. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have major memory problems, but it can become an inconvenience into adulthood. When alcohol affects this area, it can make it harder for teens to remember things or pick up new information.
What are the cognitive impairments caused by alcohol use in adolescents?
Alcoholism is an illness that needs to be treated just like other illnesses. If saying no to alcohol makes you feel uncomfortable in front of people you know, blame your parents or another adult for your refusal. Saying, “My parents are coming to pick me up soon,” “I already got in major trouble for drinking once, I can’t do it again,” or “my coach would kill me,” can make saying no a bit easier for some. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in teenagers, which is only heightened when driving under the influence. If your teen does decide to underage drink, it is important to stress to them that getting behind the wheel is never worth it.
Get the Facts About Underage Drinking
Having a basic understanding of the effects of substance use on brains can prepare you with some conversation starters with young people. Knowing a Sobriety bit about brain development can help you know how to best support young people in your life. This information can also help young people understand more about their own brain development – and perhaps help them reconsider certain activities.
A deficit of dopamine causes the parts of the adolescent brain that are tied to emotions to crave immediate rewards. But because the prefrontal cortex, which helps control such impulses, is not fully developed, it may be more difficult for teenagers to resist a chance for pleasure, experts say. And sensitivity to dopamine encourages teens to reach for more booze because alcohol floods the brain’s reward circuits with the chemical.