Alcohol Usage Among Teens
The Link Between Drinking and Youth Social Disorders
Research shows a strong link between alcohol abuse and juvenile delinquency. Teens, especially males, are at high risk for developing life long problems.
Many researchers have linked juvenile delinquency to alcohol usage by teens or their parents. One out of four families in America suffers with alcohol related problems (Parsons, 2003). Research suggests that domestic violence witnessed by children can have long-term negative effects.
Children raised in a violent home can lead to teens using drugs or alcohol as they get older. According to the CSAP, children who witness their mother or primary caregiver being abused “were fifty percent more likely to use drugs and/or alcohol.”
CSAP reported that at the time of publication four out of ten adults reported drinking alcohol, and being intoxicated when they lashed out at their child abusively. Approximately half of the offenders stated that they were drinking for at least six hours prior to abusing the child.
In a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that compared to non-substance abusers, child abuse was three times more likely to occur in homes where parents are substance abusers; these children were four times more likely to be neglected.
Teen drinking is a serious problem in the United States; approximately “4.6 million teenagers have alcohol related problems” (Wright, 2002). Alcohol has been shown to increase the likelihood of teens becoming sexually active and/or pregnant (CSAP). CSAP reports that almost 25% of sexually active teens had been drinking or using “drugs at the time of their last sexual intercourse,” with males being more likely to have used then females.
Alcohol has been a major factor in violent crimes. Studies have shown that 32% of all homicidal cases involved alcohol; 31% of all unintentional injury deaths and 23% of homicides involve alcohol (CSAP).
According to the NIAAA, 29% of teens drive drunk or getting in the car with a person who has been drinking.
Individuals in a social context have been shown to lose inhibitions and act out more when drinking (NIAAA). Male aggressiveness occurs most often when alcohol is consumed and women are less likely to be able to defend themselves; should they be put in a dangerous situation.
Adolescent drinking (12-18) has been shown to lead to fighting, family problems, arrests, disinterest in school and family and a host of other problems (O’Malley). Studies have also shown that the number one cause of death for people under the age of 21 is injury as a result of alcohol.
A survey reported by the NIAAA (2004) showed that the majority of drinkers began around the age of 12. One third of the U.S. youth began drinking before the age of 13 (2004).
Substance abuse in adolescents can lead to a lifetime of problems such as; “academic difficulties, health-related consequences, poor peer relationships, mental health issues, and involvement with the juvenile justice system” (Dickinson & Crowe).
References
Alcohol Alert. (1997). Alcohol, Violence, and AggressionNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (no. 38). Retrieved February 6, 2007 from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa38.htm
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. (n.d.) Alcohol and Other Drugs. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved February 5, 2007 from https://webapps.ou.edu/alcohol/docs/01factsheetonalcoholanddrugs.pdf
Dickinson, T. and Crowe, A. (1997). Capacity Building for Juvenile Substance Abuse Treatment. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Retrieved January 10, 2007 from http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/jjbul9712-1/jjbdec97.html#contents
4therapy.com (2004). Helping Kids Navigate Their Teenage Years: When Parents Need Help First. Retrieved February 10, 2007 from http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/item.php?uniqueid=6261&categoryid=240
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), 2004. The Scope of the Problem. Retrieved February 10, 2007 from http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=1696
O’Malley, P. M., Johnston, L. D., and Bachman, J.G. (1998). Alcohol Use Among Adolescents.Alcohol and Youth. (vol. 22, no.2). Retrieved February 9, 2007 from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-2/toc22-2.htm
Parsons, T. (2003). Alcoholism and Its Effect on the Family. AllPsych Journal. Retrieved February 7, 2007 from http://allpsych.com/journal/alcoholism.html
RIA News Release. (2003). Drinking Increases Physical Abuse. Retrieved February 9, 2007 from http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/abuse/a/blria030130.htm
Stewart, K. (n.d.) How Alcohol Outlets Affect Neighborhood Violence. Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Retrieved February 8, 2007 from http://resources.prev.org/documents/AlcoholViolenceGruenewald.pdf
World Health Organization. (n.d.) Youth Violence and Alcohol.Retrieved February 9, 2007 from http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/world_report/factsheets/fs_youth.pdf
Wright, S. (2002). Alcohol Decisions. Self-Protection Series. Retrieved January 10, 2007 from http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/youthdevelopment/DA3228.html
