Alcohol abuse by teenagers is similar to drug abuse on brain development. There are two major periods of mental development: The first three years of life and adolescence. Hopefully by the early 20s the brain is fully developed.
During adolescence the brain has difficulty handling emotions, seeks high excitement/low effort.jpg)
activities, and has poor planning and judgment skills. You can either think back to your own teenage angst or look at your kids or grandkids. That combination leads to a cycle in which impulsive decisions to consume reduce inhibitions more and lead to increased impulsiveness and risk taking.
It’s also attractive to teens because consumption begins a short period of feeling good with no effort expended. Unfortunately this many times sets the stage for adult behavior as well.
The AMA reports, additionly, adolescent females who drink alcohol have a greater risk of benign breast disease than do their non-drinking counterparts, according to new research.
The 2010 statement indicates that the brain's frontal lobes, essential for functions such as emotional regulation, planning and organization, continue to develop through adolescence and young adulthood. At this stage, the brain is more vulnerable to the toxic and addictive actions of alcohol and other drugs. The developmental interruption is the concern.
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nearly three-quarters of students (72%) consumed alcohol by the end of high school, according to the 2008 Monitoring the Future study, which is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Each year, the study surveys a total of about 50,000 students in eighth, 10th, and 12th grades. In 2008, 55% of 12th graders and 18% of eighth-graders reported having been drunk at least once.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published an updated policy statement on alcohol use by youth and adolescents. The AAP recommends that physicians take the following steps to help prevent and reduce underage drinking:
- Become knowledgeable about adolescent alcohol, tobacco and other substance use through training programs or continuing medical education.
- Obtain a complete family medical and social history at prenatal and child wellness visits to explore potential genetic and family influences regarding alcohol and other substance use.
- Recognize risk factors for adolescent alcohol use and be aware of mental health problems that might occur in this age group.
- Use validated methods to screen regularly for alcohol and other drug use.
- Assess patients whose screening results are positive for alcohol use to determine the appropriate level of intervention.
- Use brief intervention and motivational interviewing techniques to work with patients who use alcohol but do not meet criteria for immediate referral.
- Discuss the hazards of alcohol and other substance use with patients.
- Strongly advise teen patients against the use of alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drugs.
- Encourage parents to be good role models for healthy life choices.
- Be familiar with local resources to which young patients can be referred for treatment.
- Support continuation of 21 as the minimum legal drinking age.
- Support further research into prevention, evidence-based screening and identification, brief intervention, and management and treatment of alcohol and other substance use by adolescents.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, "Policy Statement Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concern," Pediatrics, published online April 12 .
