The problem of alcohol addiction affects both women and men. Recently, it can be observed that alcohol is present among increasingly younger individuals, and as a result, people who have not reached the age of 20 often fall into addiction.
Reasons for Alcohol Consumption Among Youth
The reasons for alcohol consumption by children and adolescents differ significantly from those that guide adults. In most cases, teenagers fear exclusion from their peer group – alcohol can represent a kind of initiation – so they consume it under pressure. Additionally, such "rule-breaking" provides a sense of separation from the so-called childhood stage. It's important to keep in mind that, contrary to popular belief, alcoholism among minors doesn't only affect children from dysfunctional families. Alcohol addiction can affect anyone. Much depends on the environment in which minors find themselves and the contact they have with their parents.Alcoholism Among Youth – Why Do Minors Drink?
Why is youth increasingly turning to alcohol? Paradoxically, regardless of age, some reasons for excessive alcohol consumption are similar. Alcohol helps reduce stressful situations, allows one to forget about problems or romantic disappointment. It's worth remembering that adolescence is a time of changes, both physically and emotionally. The desire to experiment with alcohol may be related to precisely such changes. Teenagers may find in this a way to gain acceptance in the eyes of their peers. Peer group pressure is the primary reason for early alcohol initiation. Currently, most parties involve alcohol. Another problem is also the ease of access to it, despite young age. Regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors are constantly violated. Alcohol is associated with fun, a way to spend free time, stress relief, and a lack of problems. Adolescence is a time when the entire identity of a young person is formed. Alcohol exaggerates the feeling of freedom and joy, but in reality, it doesn't solve problems.Alcohol as Curiosity – Desire to Take Risks
Alcoholism is the most popular addiction in Poland. This is partly related to customs and our culture – we drink during all kinds of meetings and family celebrations, and it's also easy for us to "drown our sorrows." However, statistics provide disturbing information – the age of alcohol initiation is decreasing year by year. What consequences can frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages have for youth? Using research results, it can be stated that the young brain develops even after reaching the age of twenty. This development period is a time when new neural connections are still being created and brain functions are being refined. The development period is often a time of seeking new experiences – often dangerous ones.Youth Expectations Regarding Alcohol
Positive or negative perception of alcohol itself also strongly affects the teenager's behavior. If they expect that drinking alcohol will be a pleasant experience, they'll more readily reach for such substances. Attitudes toward alcohol are formed relatively early, already in elementary school. Before reaching the age of nine, children usually perceive alcohol as something negative, but over time their perception changes, and they begin to associate alcohol with good fun and a way to relax.Increased Alcohol Tolerance
The young organism processes alcohol much better. This means that a teenager is physically capable of drinking significantly more alcohol than an adult. This tolerance also affects the phenomenon of intoxication among minors.Environment
Environmental factors such as peer group and family influence also affect susceptibility to addictive substances. It's widely recognized that children of drinking parents (not necessarily addicted) may have a significantly more positive attitude toward alcohol consumption. Also, a minor with an older partner is statistically more exposed to contact with so-called forbidden substances. Environmental influence also includes media, general social attitudes, and the promotion of party drinking culture.Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Minors
Alcoholic substances are currently widely distributed and easily accessible. For many teenagers, this is almost a normal element of growing up. However, it should be remembered that alcohol consumption by minors is not a safe phenomenon – both for the teenager themselves and for society as a whole. The consequences of alcoholism themselves are similar regardless of age – this results in an increase in traffic accidents involving drunk drivers and an alarming rise in suicides and reckless sexual behavior. Drunkorexia is a disorder most commonly occurring among young people, which recently seems to be gaining popularity. Minors who start consuming alcohol from the youngest years are statistically more burdened with alcohol problems in adult life. Alcohol abuse by teenagers very often also results in lower academic performance, difficulty concentrating and proper emotional development, as well as depression.Consequences of Alcohol Consumption Among Youth
It should be kept in mind that a minor becomes addicted to alcoholic substances much faster than an adult. Youth in Poland first encounter alcohol between the ages of 13-17. Most often they choose beer – in second place vodka, and in third place wine. There's also a belief that one cannot become addicted to beer. Social beer consumption has become very deeply rooted in our culture. The consequences of alcohol consumption by youth can vary. Especially in stages when the organism is still developing, psychoactive substances can have a negative impact on the nervous system. Negative consequences of alcohol consumption among youth include, for example:- low intellectual performance
- impaired memory
- irritability
- problems in school
- behavioral problems
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