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Start Talking!
Know!
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
3/25/2019
The month of April has been designated Alcohol Awareness Month as an
opportunity to focus attention on America’s #1 health problem. This
year’s theme, sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence (NCAAD), is “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of
passage.’”
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance among adolescents
in our country. As much as we hear in the media about the rise in
popularity of popping pills and smoking marijuana, alcohol remains
young people’s top drug of choice.
If you’re sighing in relief after hearing that your child is more
likely to drink alcohol as opposed to using other substances, you’re
not alone. But that is also why this tip is so important, as we address
the many negative aspects of underage drinking.
We all know that adolescence is a time of experimentation, and it is
very common for parents of teens to think of alcohol as a lesser and
more acceptable evil – so long as their teen doesn’t drink and drive or
get in the car with someone who has been drinking. While drinking and
driving is extremely dangerous and often deadly, the risks associated
with underage drinking go far beyond cars and can be just as fatal.
Parents and other caring adults, the time for changing attitudes is now
– it could save your child’s life!
Underage Drinking…
Impairs Judgment: Drinking can lead to poor decision-making, including
loud and unruly behavior and property destruction.
Leads to Risky Sexual Behavior: Alcohol plays a significant role in
risky sexual behavior, including unwanted, unintended, and unprotected
sexual activity, as well as sex with multiple partners – increasing the
risk for unplanned pregnancy and for contracting sexually transmitted
diseases.Underage youth who drink are more likely to carry out or be
the victim of a physical or sexual assault.
Interferes with Brain Development: The adolescent brain, which
continues to grow and develop into a person’s mid-twenties, is
negatively impacted by alcohol, potentially affecting both brain
structure and function in the short and long term.
Increases the Risk of Alcohol Problems Later in Life: Research shows
that young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four
times more likely to develop alcohol use disorders at some point in
their lives.
Leads to Problems at School: Skipping school, learning problems and
academic failure are all associated with underage drinking.
Impacts Health: Alcohol is known to cause a range of physical health
consequences from hangovers to alcohol poisoning. Ongoing heavy use of
alcohol into adulthood is linked to numerous chronic diseases,
neurological impairments and social problems.
May Lead to Further Substance Use: Research shows that underage
drinking is associated with additional substance use, including the use
of tobacco, marijuana and other drugs.
Causes Unintentional Injuries: Young people who consume alcohol are at
greater risk for getting hurt from falls, burns, and drowning while
under the influence.
Causes Fatalities: According to the CDC, the four main causes of
alcohol-related deaths among adolescents are motor vehicle crashes,
homicides, suicides and unintentional injuries that result in death.
We have clear evidence as to why underage drinking should not be taken
lightly or considered a lesser evil. The consequences can be
life-altering, extremely risky, and can lead to death in a number of
ways. It is essential to the health and well-being of our youth that we
– as parents and other caring adults – change the way we think of
underage drinking and the approach we take with our children on the
subject.
In the tip to follow, we will discuss what we can do to help prevent
underage drinking and protect our children.
Remember to follow Start Talking! on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Learn how to get the drug prevention conversation started at
StartTalking.Ohio.Gov.
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