Alcohol abuse is incredibly common in young people, and due to its social acceptance, many people don’t view binge drinking alcohol as a problem until consequences begin to arise in the young person’s life. Alcohol abuse among young people is illegal and can have damaging long term consequences. The Cornerstone Program is a substance abuse treatment program that is here for teens suffering from drug and alcohol abuse. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, we are here to help. It is scary and confusing to navigate getting help. We are an enthusiastic drug rehab center for teens and young adults that will evaluate your situation for free. Reach out to us today at 303-690-0082 and start your journey now.
The Hazards of Alcohol Abuse in Young People
Unlike heroin addiction or meth addiction, it is fairly common for society at large to view alcohol abuse in teens as less of a problem than other forms of drug abuse. For many reasons, we believe this is a mistake:
- Alcohol is the 2nd most used drug of addiction in the United States, behind nicotine – there are around 42 times more cases of alcohol use disorder than heroin use disorder in this country.
- Around 5.3% of deaths worldwide (1 in 20) are alcohol related.
- Alcohol is one of the few drugs whose withdrawal symptoms can have serious medical complications, including seizures and death.
- A 2019 survey on alcohol use found that among 2,136 individuals who had tried or wanted to quit drinking, 88.3% of them started before the age of 25 – showing that problem drinking is far more likely to develop among users who start young.
Why Alcohol abuse has more consequences for teens than adults
Like all drugs of abuse, alcohol stifles activation of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the portions of the brain used to weigh good and bad decisions as well as foresee consequences, plan complex behaviors, and delay gratification. Since the teenage and young adult years are the time in life where we learn these valuable skills, teens who abuse alcohol end up missing these important life lessons as adults. In addition to physical and mental health problems, this can have disastrous long-term consequences for the teen later in life.
This issue is serious enough that American Academy of Pediatrics released an updated to their Alcohol Use By Youth policy discussing the neurobiology of adolescent development.
The Effect of Alcohol Abuse on the Body
Abusing alcohol can greatly increase the risk of many different health-related issues. Drinking heavily is taxing on the body and studies show that alcohol abuse increases the risk of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Liver damage
- High blood pressure
- Memory loss
- Impaired thinking
- Decreased motor skills
Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawals, and Detox
Heavy drinking can lead to a physical dependence on alcohol, which can contribute to symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. This includes trouble sleeping, low appetite, shakes, seizures, and more. While this can vary from person to person, it is vital that you or a loved one seek medical help when withdrawing or detoxing from using alcohol abuse.
Next Steps
At The Cornerstone Program, we understand how tough it is to navigate addiction for yourself or family members. There is hope and we are here to help. There are numerous support groups and treatment options available. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost substance abuse evaluation or call our Denver, Colorado program at (303) 690-0082.