Teenage Alcoholism - Research Paper Example

26 May “Teenage Alcoholism” I. Introduction Thesis: The positive influence of parents and parental guidance play a major role in the prevention of alcoholism among their teenage children. At present time, our culture has lived with alcohol over the years and society has paid patronage to this intoxicating liquor as a form of rejoicing. Regardless of sex, age, gender or status in life, whether rich or poor, all human beings are drawn to alcohol, and teens are no exception. Adolescence is the stage when teens encounter problems that they feel that are unfeasible. Dealing with a troubled teenager is a struggle to all parents. When the teen continuously break the house rules, parents should be alarmed. The child may be undergoing a grueling battle that he or she is not openly voicing-out. This pushes the teen to become disruptive and anti-social. These are positive indications of a troubled youth. Juvenile delinquency comes into play when teens are influenced by bad companions in school, who introduce them to appalling vices like alcohol, drugs and sex. The adolescent years always bring-out the rebellious streak in teens. “In the United States alone, alcohol has been considered as the most frequently used drug by teenagers. Almost half of the junior high and senior high school students consume alcohol on a monthly basis and studies show that 14% of them have been intoxicated at least once for the past year. While about 8% of them said that they drink at least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row, or this is popularly known as drinking binge” (MedicineNet.com). Alcohol has been the life of every family occasion and celebration. Nowadays, you don’t discount the presence of alcohol or booze during teenage parties. “Alcohol use is so common that it is easy to forget that alcohol is a very dangerous drug. For teens, it is also an illegal drug which is easy to forget” (Bichler 7). Every teenager considers the parties as an opportunity to drink, unwind with friends and have some fun. However, most of the teens, especially boys, take in alcohol beyond their limit due to peer pressure. A teenager who drinks alcohol in moderation is not guilty of alcohol abuse. This is still highly acceptable since it does not yet pose a threat to his or her health. However, when excessive drinking and drinking binges are resorted to, that’s when the trouble starts. A drinking binge can actually lead to alcohol poisoning which can kill a person. “Alcoholism is a disease that develops over time. It can be treated, but not cured” (Graves 18). II. Causes/Sources Most teens drink alcohol because of peer pressure and want to feel accepted by their close buddies. They feel that if their friends do it, they should too. Sometimes, they want to fit in to the group to achieve popularity in school and be branded as “cool”. On the other hand, “many teens drink hoping to find relief from boredom, loneliness, anger, unhappiness or pressure. While the other teenagers perceive drinking as a sign of maturity” (Graves 15). The feeling of maturity gives the teens a temporary license to do whatever they please. Teens are also influenced by the adults surrounding them. Even as young children, when they see their parents are engage in alcohol abuse, they tend to become like them in the future. “They have a misconception that drinking is an acceptable norm as they see it inside their homes”(Graves 16). Trouble in the home which often times lead to family conflicts, pushes the teens to become alcoholics. Another valid cause which can heavily influence teens is a captivating and luring advertisement. Teens are generally attracted to what they see on television, on the internet, on magazines or even while listening to rock music. Media plays a major role to sway a teen-ager’s choice. “Television programs an movies often portray drinking in a positive vein, too” (Hyde 13). Most of the time, teens make the wrong options because they do things for the off beam reasons. They are only guided by the way that they feel at the certain moment and fail to use logical basis before arriving at a decision. Examples of these are the fraudulent advertisements which promise joy and pleasure. These ads are inclined toward earning profits, so they target these young teens who are likely to experiment on what they only see and hear from friends. Whatever will bring fun and excitement to them will surely draw their attention, without noticing the little by little they get themselves hooked. The feeling of intoxication gives them a “high” feeling that makes teens feel more brave and powerful in all their actions. III. Factors Most researchers indicated that there are three factors affecting alcoholism. “These factors are heredity, environment, and psychological or mental make-up” (Graves 23). “Studies have shown that heredity plays a role in alcoholism. In fact, the important part of the cells known as genes, which originated from their parents, causes the teenage children to become alcoholics. However, this has not always been the case” (Graves 23). It means that it is science itself which can also control the development of a young child to lean towards alcoholism if his/her parents are alcoholics in the first place. Environment is another factor which fosters teen alcoholism. This will include the people surrounding the teen-agers like his/her friends, the family and the neighborhood that he/she lives in. The ways of life of the people he or she has close encounters with will surely induce the teenager as he or she becomes accustomed to their habits. If the teen hangs-out with people who have drinking problems, it is probable that he or she will end-up becoming one of them. The psychological traits of a person can also contribute to alcohol dependency. “A person’s attitudes and personality can contribute to drinking patterns. For example, some teens are impulsive or thrill-seekers. Hence, these teens may more likely become problem drinkers than the others. On the other hand, severely depressed or anxious people also are at high risk for alcoholism” (Graves 23). “This also refers to personality characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity. Children who begin to drink at a very early age, before the age of 12, to be more specific, often share similar personality characteristics that may make them more likely to start drinking. There are some young people who are disruptive, hyperactive, and aggressive are often referred to as having conduct problems or being antisocial, as well as those who are depressed, withdrawn, or anxious, may be at greatest risk for alcohol problems. Other behavior problems associated with alcohol use include rebelliousness, difficulty avoiding harm or harmful situations, and a host of other traits seen in young people who act out without regard for rules or the feelings of others”(NIAAA). IV. Signs and Symptoms “The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says that there are four distinguishing characteristics of an alcoholic. These characteristics are craving, impaired control, physical dependence and tolerance” (Graves 21). An alcoholic person develops a certain tolerance level for alcohol or immunity. Hence, the tendency is that he or she will tend to drink more and more of it in order to reach the level of intoxication to envelop them in the “high” feeling. Alcoholism is a serious disease that needs to be cured over a long period of time, depending on the addiction level of the abuser. Alcoholism becomes addicting that the alcoholics no longer have control of themselves and they cannot seem to stop. “An alcoholic’s body gets hooked on the certain effects of alcohol. When the person stops taking in alcohol, the body will miss the effects it brings. The alcoholic goes through withdrawal. Some symptoms or evidence of withdrawal include extreme anxiety, shaking and seizures” (Graves 21). In the case of teens, there are multitude signs in order to detect that they are addicted to alcohol when they start making white lies. Some teens make flimsy excuses just to get away with their crimes and parents are not even aware of it. Another sign is when they become verbally insulting, while tending to be physical by inflicting bodily harm on others. They easily snap even at the minutest details and prefer locking themselves in their rooms. Other signs include “having items in their possession that are connected to alcohol use (paraphernalia), the smell of alcohol on their breath or body, mood swings, stealing, and changes in friends” (MedicineNet.com). V. Dangerous Effects of Alcohols on Teens Alcohol destroys the teens' ability to focus. They cannot pay attention inside the classroom and miss out on their classes, and thus affect their performance in school. “Studies show that male teens who engage in drinking binges tend to complete fewer years of education compared to male teens who do not” (MedicineNet.com). “Teens who have experienced alcohol withdrawal tend to have difficulties with memory” (MedicineNet.com). Shaking, black-outs or not remembering what happened are some of the dangers brought about by excessive drinking. Teens nowadays do not only resort to alcohol to have fun with their friends, there is a greater probability that they tend to use other substances like heroin, cocaine and marijuana. When a person starts to drink alcohol at a very young age, he or she will grow-up to be an alcoholic in the future. Alcoholism is a disease that you develop as you go along in life. “ Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300 from suicide, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning pointing to alcoholism as the causes of death” (NIAAA). Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all violent deaths involving teens in the United States” (MedicineNet.com). The dangers posed by alcoholism causes the loss of life and limb among teens which is extremely alarming. On the other hand, “more than three times the number of girls from the eighth-grade who are addicted to alcohol said they have attempted to commit suicide compared to other girls in that grade who do not drink alcohol”(MedicineNet.com). A teen-ager who is heavily intoxicated will have more courage to commit suicide which may sometimes be caused by deep depression, serious anxieties, wounded feelings, and family problems, losing a loved one or ugly break-ups. “Intoxication is associated with suicide attempts using more lethal methods, and positive blood alcohol levels are often found in people who complete suicide” (MedicineNet.com). Teens that are drug dependents are also sexually active. The effect of intoxication makes them defenseless and strips off all their inhibitions, thus they engage in pre-marital sex with multiple partners without their parents’ knowledge. They abuse their bodies and give in to the lustful feelings brought about by intoxication. These prohibited trysts can also lead to teen-age pregnancies which are common at this age and time. “Teens who drink are more likely to engage in sexual activity, have unprotected sex, have sex with a stranger, or be the victim or perpetrator of a sexual assault” (MedicineNet.com). Alcoholism also has some harmful effects on the liver. “The elevated liver enzymes, indicating some degree of liver damage, have been found in some adolescents who drink alcohol” (NIAAA). While teen-agers who are overweight or obese showed elevated liver enzymes even with only small amount of alcohol intake”(PubMed.gov). Another effect of too much alcohol in the body is the teen’s growth and effects on the endocrine. “In both cases of the teenage male and female, puberty is a period associated with several hormonal changes, including the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone. These hormones, thus increases the production of other hormones and growth factors, which are essential for the normal organ development Excessive drinking of alcohol during puberty stage when there is rapid growth and development may thwart the hormonal balance essential for normal development of body organs, muscles, and bones” (NIAAA). VI. How to Prevent Alcoholism in Teens “Intervention is the step that precedes treatment”(Biddulph). “Increasing the price of alcohol will prevent teens from becoming alcoholics” (NIAAA). Research has shown that soaring prices of alcoholic beverages will lower the levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, especially in young people”(Chaloupka 331). Another way to minimize alcoholism in teens is by increasing the minimum legal drinking age. “In the United States, the minimum legal drinking at age 21. By raising the age at which people can legally purchase and drink alcohol has been identified as the most successful intervention to date in lowering the risk of alcohol-related car crashes among people under age 21. NHTSA approximated that a legal drinking age of 21 saves 700 to 1,000 lives in a year. Since 1976, these laws have significantly decreased more than 21,000 traffic deaths. A recent study in New Zealand has presented the number of alcohol related car accidents. Six years ago this country lowered its minimum legal drinking age to 18, and since then, alcohol-related crashes have risen 12 percent among 18- to 19-year-olds and 14 percent among 15- to 17-year-olds. Thus, a higher minimum drinking age can help to reduce crashes and save lives, especially in very young drivers” (NIAAA). “Limiting youth access to alcohol has been shown to be effective in reducing and preventing underage drinking and drinking-related problems”(Bonnie 6).“The prevention and treatment of adolescent and substance abuse problems has been influenced greatly by the concept of harm reduction” (Monti 6). Other preventive measures to avoid teenage addiction to alcohol is by enactment of stricter laws by the government. “It is suggested that all other states in the U.S. must enforce zero-tolerance laws that make it illegal for people under age 21 to drive after any drinking” (NIAAA). This bold move by the government will cause a scare among teens to stay away from driving while under the influence of alcohol. The U.S. Government must use its power to obliterate teenage alcoholism by asserting itself in critical situations such as these teenage accidents. School-Based programs are likewise important to educate their students on the dangers and hazardous effects brought about by alcohol. The youth today is drawn be a number of evil influences which drives them to engage in inequities. Family-Based Prevention Programs are highly recommended as well. “The ability of the parents’ to influence whether their children drink is well documented and is consistent across racial/ethnic groups. Setting clear rules against drinking, consistently enforcing those rules, and monitoring the child’s behavior all help to reduce the likelihood of underage drinking. The Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP), delivered when students were in grade 6, is a program that has shown long-lasting preventive effects on alcohol use” (NIAAA). VII. Parenting Tips The first positive parenting tip to all parents is that they must know how to become good role models to their teenage children. Their teenage kids look up to their parents as their first teachers and mentors. Scientific studied have shown that at the very young age, children tend to absorb everything they see from their parents. They emulate everything that their parents words and actions. Most parents become mirrors of their children. It is said that children learn to behave by mirroring the attitude of their parents. There are young teens who become alcoholics, and later on become drug-abusers because of the impact that they get from their parents. The children adapt their parents’ habit whether good or bad, positive or negative. The use of language is also very critical. Teens mimic and imitate their parents. In order to instill positive attitude, parents should learn how to use decent language and good manners in front of their children. The parents’ are the primary source of information of the teens, so parents must make sure that only positive ideas and optimistic actions are shown to their teen-age children. Simply telling your teens that you love them reassures them that they are safe, secured and loved by their parents. This is the start of a positive parenting skill that every parent must learn. VIII. Conclusion “Today, alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted throughout society. And alcohol use continues to be regarded, by many people, as a normal part of growing up. Yet underage drinking is dangerous, not only for the drinker but also for society, as evident by the number of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, and other injuries”(NIAAA). Growing-up is a long and painful process. Parents must also learn to understand what his or her teen-age child’s thought and emotions to be able to build a strong bond. “ Parents who establish a clear communication with their teens about the negative effects of alcohol, as well as about their expectations regarding drug use, have been found to significantly decrease alcohol use in teens. Adequate parental supervision has also been found to be a deterrent to alcohol use in youth”(MedicineNet.com). Most of the time, it is miscommunication which separates the parents from the child. They must be able to establish a give and take relationship. Parents must take time to listen to their children. They must be able to work it out as a two-way street. Otherwise, teens have the tendency to rebel from their parents. They want to shut the world and resort to solitary confinement. When a teen is engaged in any of these prohibited vices, especially alcohol abuse, his/her behavior changes drastically and lacks focus. When this happens, parents should intervene and seek professional help. This will save the teen’s life and heal the emotional wounds that have been hanging-on inside them for a long time. It is a fact that advanced technology is rampant in this age and time. Nowadays, the means of communication can be transmitted with use of the cellular phones, computers, laptops, notebooks and the latest gadgets available in the market with just one click of the button. There is simply no excuse to avoid communication even by sending SMS (short message service) using mobile communications or a private message on Facebook, chatting using Skype or Yahoo Messenger or posting Tweets over the internet,. True enough, technology surely has a price to pay. It is of common knowledge that parents have a hard time communicating with their children once they reach their teenage years, but they should exert extra effort to reach-out to them. Parents should be aware that it is important that in raising teens, communication is the most vital ingredient to make the relationship with the children intact. They should learn how to communicate with their teen-aged children by building trust, honesty and openness. Keeping an open line of communication is the key for the teens speak their minds and share their feelings and problems that they encounter, and in return, the parents can guide them accordingly. This will ensure a healthy and happy relationship within the home. Being consistent and reassuring the children they are loved and cared for nurtures the emotional needs of the teens. Works Cited/ References: Bichler, Christine. Teen Drinking. NY, New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000. Print. Biddulph, Stephanie G. Alcohol:What’s a Parent to Believe. Minesotta: Hazelden Center City, 2003. Print Bonnie, Richard J. and Mary Ellen O'Connell. Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility. Washingtin, D.C. : National Academies Press, 2004. Print. Broadening the Base of Treatment for Alcoholic Problems, Institute of Medicine, National Academy Press, 1990. Cohen, Sidney. The Substance Abuse Problems. New York: Haworth Press, Inc., 1985. Print.  Collins, Lorraine and Kenneth E. Leonard. Alcohol and the Family. New York, The Guilford Press, 1990. Print Galanter, Marc. Recent Developments in Alcoholism:Treatment Research. New York,Plenum Press. 1983, Print. Galanter, Marc. Alcoholic Problems. Springer Science Business Media, Inc.New York, 2003, Print. Galanter, Marc. Alcoholic Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults : Epidemiology. New York: Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishers, 2005. Print. Galanter, Mark and Herbert D. Kleber The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of substance abuse treatment. Arkington, VA.: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 2008. Print. Graves, Bonnie B. Alcohol Use and Abuse. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2002. Print Goodwin, Donald W. Alcoholism, the Facts. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Chaloupka, F.J.; Grossman, M.; and Saffer, H. The effects of price on the consequences of alcohol use and abuse. In: Galanter, M., ed. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, Vol. 14: The Consequences of Alcoholism. New York: Plenum Press, 1998. Print. Hilarski, Carolyn. Addiction, Asessment, and Treatment with Adolescents, Adults, and Families. New York: Haworth Press, Inc., 2005. Print. Hyde, Margaret O. and John F. Setaro. Alcohol 101: An Overview for Teens. Minneapolis, USA: Learner Publishing Group, 1999. Print Lukefeld, Carl G., Thomas P. Gullotta, Michelle Staton-Tindall. Adolescent Substance Abuse. New York: Springer Science, 2009. Print.  Maltzman, Irving. Alcoholism: Its Treatment and Mistreatments. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company, Pte. Ltd, 2008, Print. MedicineNet.com. Alcohol and Teens. Web. 2011.Retrieved on March 8, 2011 Miller, Geraldine A. Learning the Language of Addiction Counseling. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2005. Print. Miller, William R. and Nick Heather. Treating Addictive Behaviors. New York: Plenum Publishing Corp., 1998. Print. Monti, Peter M., Suzanne M. Colby and Tracy A. O'Leary. Adolescents, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse. New York: The Guilford Press, 2001. Print National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Alert. Web. Number 67, January 2006. Retrieved on March 8, 2011 PubMed.gov. Prevalence of abnormal serum aminotransferase values in overweight and obese adolescents. Web. June 2000. Retrieved on March 8, 2011. Rotgers, Frederick, Jon Morgenstern and Scott T. Walters. Treating substance abuse: Theory and Technique. New York: The Guiltford Press, 2003. Print. Sher, Kenneth J. Children of Alcoholics: A Critical Appraisal of Theory and Research.Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991.Print. Stevens, Sally J. and Andrew R. Morral. Adolescent substance abuse treatment in the United States. New York: Haworth Press, 2003. Print. United States General Accounting Office. Under Age Drinking. May 2001 Wagner, Eric F. and Holly B. Waldron. Innovations in Adolescent Substance Abuse Interventions. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science, Ltd., 2001. Print. Woititz,Janet Geringer. Adult Children of Alcoholics. Florida: Health Communications, Inc., 1983.Print. Wood, Barbara L. Children of Alcoholism.New York: New York University, 1987.Print. Formal Outline Title: “Teenage Alcoholism” Purpose: To be able to present and establish a thorough research on the root cause of alcoholism among teens, the dangerous effects and ways on how to prevent their alcohol addiction. Thesis: The positive influence of parents and parental guidance play a major role in the prevention of alcoholism among their teenage children. I. Introduction a. Presence of alcohol in our culture b. Early stages of teen alcoholism c. Percentage of Teens intoxication in the U.S., based on statistics d. Difference between moderate drinking and drinking binge II. Causes/Sources of Alcoholism a. Peer Pressure b. Negative feelings of boredom, loneliness, unhappiness and anger c. Alcoholic parents/family problems d. Advertisements/ Media III. Factors of Alcoholism a. Heredity b. Environment c. Psychological/ Mental Make-up d. Personality Characteristics e. Psychiatric Comorbidity IV. Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism a. Craving b. Impaired control c. Physical dependence d. Tolerance V. Dangerous Effects of Alcoholism on Teens a. Lack of focus b. Short term memory/ black-outs c. Teenage Suicide d. Pre-marital sex e. Teenage Pregnancy f. Teenage Rape g. Harmful effects on liver/endocrine h. Hampers Teenage Growth/ Hormonal imbalance VI. How to Prevent Alcoholism a. Increasing price of alcohol b. Raising drinking age c. Enforcing Zero tolerance laws d. School-based programs e. Family-based prevention programs VII. Parenting Tips a. Good role model parents b. Constant Communication c. Proper guidance d. Love and attention Conclusion BIBLIOGRAPHY CARDS (To be handwritten in 3x5 and 4x7 notecards) TOPIC: Percentage of alcoholic Teens in US MedicineNet.com. Alcohol and Teens. Web. 2011.Retrieved on March 8, 2011 “In the United States alone, alcohol has been considered as the most frequently used drug by teenagers. Almost half of the junior high and senior high school students consume alcohol on a monthly basis and studies show that 14% of them have been intoxicated at least once for the past year. While about 8% of them said that they drink at least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row, or this is popularly known as drinking binge” (MedicineNet.com). TOPIC: Symptoms of Alcoholism “The smell of alcohol on their breath or body, mood swings, stealing, and changes in friends”(MedicineNet.com) TOPIC: Dangerous Effects of Alcohol on Teens “Studies show that male teens who engage in drinking binges tend to complete fewer years of education compared to male teens who do not” (MedicineNet.com). “Teens who have experienced alcohol withdrawal tend to have difficulties with memory” (MedicineNet.com). “Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all violent deaths involving teens in the United States” (MedicineNet.com). “Intoxication is associated with suicide attempts using more lethal methods, and positive blood alcohol levels are often found in people who complete suicide” (MedicineNet.com). “Teens who drink are more likely to engage in sexual activity, have unprotected sex, have sex with a stranger, or be the victim or perpetrator of a sexual assault” (MedicineNet.com). TOPIC: How To Prevent Alcoholism in Teens Adequate parental supervision has also been found to be a deterrent to alcohol use in youth”(MedicineNet.com).  TOPIC: Effect of Alcohol Bichler, Christine. Teen Drinking. NY, New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000. Print. “Alcohol use is so common that it is easy to forget that alcohol is a very dangerous drug. For teens, it is also an illegal drug which is easy to forget” (Bichler 7). TOPIC: What is Alcoholism Graves, Bonnie B. Alcohol Use and Abuse. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2002. Print “Alcoholism is a disease that develops over time. It can be treated, but not cured” (Graves 18). TOPIC: Causes/Sources of Alcoholism “Many teens drink, hoping to find relief from boredom, loneliness, anger, unhappiness or pressure. While the other teenagers perceive drinking as a sign of maturity” (Graves 15). “They have a misconception that drinking is an acceptable norm as they see it inside their homes”(Graves 16). Topic: Factors Affecting Alcoholism “These factors are heredity, environment, and psychological or mental, make-up” (Graves 23). “Studies have shown that heredity plays a role in alcoholism. In fact, the important part of the cells known as genes, which originated from their parents, causes the teenage children to become alcoholics. However, this has not always been the case” (Graves 23). “A person’s attitudes and personality can contribute to drinking patterns. For example, some teens are impulsive or thrill-seekers. Hence, these teens may more likely become problem drinkers than the others. On the other hand, severely depressed or anxious people also are at high risk for alcoholism” (Graves 23). Topic: Signs and Symptoms “The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says that there are four distinguishing characteristics of an alcoholic. These characteristics are craving, impaired control, physical dependence and tolerance” (Graves 21). “An alcoholic’s body gets hooked on the certain effects of alcohol. When the person stops taking in alcohol, the body will miss the effects it brings. The alcoholic goes through withdrawal. Some symptoms or evidence of withdrawal include extreme anxiety, shaking and seizures” (Graves 21). TOPIC: Factors of Alcoholism National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Alert. Web. Number 67, January 2006. Retrieved on March 8, 2011 “This also refers to personality characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity. Children who begin to drink at a very early age, before the age of 12, to be more specific, often share similar personality characteristics that may make them more likely to start drinking. There are some young people who are disruptive, hyperactive, and aggressive are often referred to as having conduct problems or being antisocial, as well as those who are depressed, withdrawn, or anxious, may be at greatest risk for alcohol problems. Other behavior problems associated with alcohol use include rebelliousness, difficulty avoiding harm or harmful situations, and a host of other traits seen in young people who act out without regard for rules or the feelings of others”(NIAAA). TOPIC: Dangerous Effects “The elevated liver enzymes, indicating some degree of liver damage, have been found in some adolescents who drink alcohol” (NIAAA). “In both cases of the teenage male and female, puberty is a period associated with several hormonal changes, including the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone. These hormones, thus increases the production of other hormones and growth factors, which are essential for the normal organ development Excessive drinking of alcohol during puberty stage when there is rapid growth and development may thwart the hormonal balance essential for normal development of body organs, muscles, and bones” Topic: How to Prevent Alcoholism “Increasing the price of alcohol will prevent teens from becoming alcoholics” (NIAAA). “In the United States, the minimum legal drinking at age 21. By raising the age at which people can legally purchase and drink alcohol has been identified as the most successful intervention to date in lowering the risk of alcohol-related car crashes among people under age 21. NHTSA approximated that a legal drinking age of 21 saves 700 to 1,000 lives in a year. Since 1976, these laws have significantly decreased more than 21,000 traffic deaths. A recent study in New Zealand has presented the number of alcohol related car accidents. Six years ago this country lowered its minimum legal drinking age to 18, and since then, alcohol-related crashes have risen 12 percent among 18- to 19-year-olds and 14 percent among 15- to 17-year-olds. Thus, a higher minimum drinking age can help to reduce crashes and save lives, especially in very young drivers” (NIAAA) “The ability of the parents’ to influence whether their children drink is well documented and is consistent across racial/ethnic groups. Setting clear rules against drinking, consistently enforcing those rules, and monitoring the child’s behavior all help to reduce the likelihood of underage drinking. The Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP), delivered when students were in grade 6, is a program that has shown long-lasting preventive effects on alcohol use” (NIAAA). “Today, alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted throughout society. And alcohol use continues to be regarded, by many people, as a normal part of growing up. Yet underage drinking is dangerous, not only for the drinker but also for society, as evident by the number of alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides, and other injuries”(NIAAA). Topic: Effects of Alcoholism PubMed.gov. Prevalence of abnormal serum aminotransferase values in overweight and obese adolescents. Web. June 2000. Retrieved on March 8, 2011. “While teen-agers who are overweight or obese showed elevated liver enzymes even with only small amount of alcohol intake”(PubMed.gov). Topic: Preventive Measures Monti, Peter M., Suzanne M. Colby and Tracy A. O'Leary. Adolescents, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse. New York: The Guilford Press, 2001. Print “The prevention and treatment of adolescent and substance abuse problems has been influenced greatly by the concept of harm reduction” (Monti 6). Topic: Preventive Measures “Limiting youth access to alcohol has been shown to be effective in reducing and preventing underage drinking and drinking-related problems”(Bonnie 6). Topic: Causes of Alcoholism Hyde, Margaret O. and John F. Setaro. Alcohol 101: An Overview for Teens. Minneapolis, USA: Learner Publishing Group, 1999. Print “Television programs an movies often portray drinking in a positive vein, too” (Hyde 13). Read More