Teens and Alcohol: Underage drinking is a big problem in the U.S. many teens don't know what drinking can do to them. (USA).Keith was 12 years old when he had his first drink. He found some alcohol in his house and drank it with a friend on a bike ride. "I thought I was floating above my bike," he says. "I felt like I could do anything, that I could talk to anyone. Alcohol seemed to make everything easier." To keep that sense of security, Keith began drinking and smoking marijuana every day. It took him six years to realize that alcohol and drugs were ruining his life. Alcohol and Your Brain There's been some good news recently about teen smoking and illegal drug use. New studies show that both are declining in the U.S. But underage drinking remains a huge problem. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS , about 10 million teenagers 'have at least one drink every month. And 18 percent of these teenagers are binge drinkers--those who have five or more drinks on the same occasion. Alcohol is a drug--just as marijuana and cocaine are drugs. Alcohol is also a depressant--a drug that slows brain activity. An adult may claim that one drink won't do any harm. But when anyone drinks regularly and to excess, serious problems can occur--such as dizziness, blurry vision, vomiting vomiting, ejection of food and other matter from the stomach through the mouth, often preceded by nausea. The process is initiated by stimulation of the vomiting center of the brain by nerve impulses from the gastrointestinal tract or other part of the body. , and blackouts (gaps in memory). People who drink too much too quickly may get alcohol poisoning. If that happens, their breathing and heart rate can slow down so much that they slip into a coma. They may die if they do not get immediate medical attention. Alcohol prevents the brain from controlling the body properly. After drinking, you may feel uncoordinated un·co·or·di·nat·ed adj. 1. Lacking physical or mental coordination. 2. Lacking planning, method, or organization. un , and walking may be difficult. Alcohol can also affect your judgment and your ability to think clearly. Frequent drinking can cause shrink age in the areas of the brain that control memory and learning. Other Problems Underage drinking can lead to other problems that have serious effects on teenagers' lives. "Alcohol contributes to academic failure and dropping out of school," says Dr. David Satcher David M. Satcher (b. March 2, 1941) was the 16th Surgeon General of the United States from 1998 to 2002 and the Assistant Secretary for Health from 1998 to 2001. He was the first African American male to serve as Surgeon General. Early years and career Dr. the U.S. Surgeon General The U.S. Surgeon General is charged with the protection and advancement of health in the United States. Since the 1960s the surgeon general has become a highly visible federal public health official, speaking out against known health risks such as tobacco use, and promoting disease . "Adolescent drinking is [also] associated with risky sexual behaviors that can lead to AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely , and unintended pregnancies. In addition, underage drinkers are more likely to become perpetrators or victims of rape, assault, robbery, murder, and other violent crimes." According to a Department of Health and Human Services survey, heavy-drinking students are four to six times more likely to cut classes or skip school than nondrinkers. And heavy drinkers are twice as likely as non-drinkers to say that their schoolwork is poor. Some economists estimate that underage drinking--and the problems it causes--costs the U.S. more than $58 billion every year. Keith quickly discovered the kinds of trouble that alcohol can cause. "In one semester, I went from being a straight-A student to getting straight F's," he says. "I got suspended five times, and I almost got expelled." Keith's drinking also caused problems for him at home. "I was constantly arguing with my dad, and I knew I was hurting my mom," he says. "But I was doing anything I could to stay drunk or stoned." How to Get Help Keith was 18 when he finally saw how much trouble his drinking had caused. "I became very isolated and paranoid, and I was full of resentment," he says. "It got so bad that I looked forward to going to bed at night, so I wouldn't have to think about it." Though he had tried to quit many times, Keith couldn't stop drinking on his own. After doing some research, he found a 12-step program where he could get help. By attending the 12-step meetings and working with other people, and through his faith in a higher power Higher power is a term used in a 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to describe "a power greater than yourself." Although many participants equate their higher power with God, a belief in God or in formal religion is not mandatory; the higher power is intended as a , Keith was able to stop drinking. Keith is now sober. But he knows just how hard staying clean can be. "Alcoholism is a disease. It's not something you can just turn on and off," he says. "It takes a lot of work to stay sober. But [getting sober] saved my life." RELATED ARTICLE: Getting Help Anyone who feels that he or she has a drinking problem should seek guidance from a friend, parent, counselor, or trusted adult. The following groups can also help young people deal with alcohol and its problems: Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), worldwide organization dedicated to the treatment of alcoholics; founded 1935 by two alcoholics, one a New York broker, the other an Ohio physician. (AA) www.alcoholics-anonymous.org A free self-help group self-help group, nonprofessional organization formed by people with a common problem or situation, for the purpose of pooling resources, gathering information, and offering mutual support, services, or care. for problem drinkers. AA has special groups for young people. Alateen www.al-anon.alateen.org A group for young people whose lives have been affected by some else's drinking. Students Against Destructive Decisions <includeonly></includeonly>Students Against Destructive Decisions is a peer-to-peer youth education and substance abuse use prevention organization in the USA, with over 10,000 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. (SADD SADD Students Against Destructive Decisions (formerly Students Against Drunk Driving) SADD Students Against Drunk Driving (now Students Against Destructive Decisions) SADD Sexual Attention Deficit Disorder ) www.saddonline.com Gives students tools to deal with underage drinking, drug use, impaired driving, and other "destructive decisions." USA 1. True or false? Alcohol is not a drug because it does not affect a person's behavior. (False: alcohol is a drug with mind-altering potential.) 2. At this time, who is commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces? (President George W. Bush) 3. Where are the 2002 Winter Olympic Games Olympic games, premier athletic meeting of ancient Greece, and, in modern times, series of international sports contests. The Olympics of Ancient Greece Although records cannot verify games earlier than 776 B.C. being held? (Salt Lake City, Utah For ships of the United States Navy of the same name, see . Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake, or its initials, S.L.C. ) 4. Historically, what branch of government gains power in time of war? (Executive branch--the President) 5. What substance, which is legal for adults, may cause students to skip classes or drop out of school? (Alcohol) 6. In which event does Apolo Anton Ohno Apolo Anton Ohno (born on May 22, 1982) is an American short track speed skating competitor and a two-time gold medalist in the Winter Olympics. He also competed in and won the reality TV show, Dancing with the Stars in 2007. compete? (Short-track speed skating speed skating Sport of racing on ice skates. The blade of the speed skate is longer and thinner than that of the hockey or figure skate. Two types of track are used in international competition. )
News Graph
Teen Alcohol Use
Age Percent Who Drink
Alcohol Monthly
12 2%
13 7%
14 11%
15 20%
16 26%
17 32%
Source: National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 2000.
Note: Table made from bar graph.
The graph shows the percentage of students in the U.S. ages 12 to 17 who drink alcohol at least once a month. Study the graph and answer the questions below. 1. What percentage of 13-year-olds drink at least once a month? _______________ 2. What percentage of 16-year-olds drink at least once a month? _______________ 3. More 17-year-olds drink each month than 14-year-olds. What is the difference in the percentages of these two groups? _______________ 4. As the percentage of teens who drink at least once a month increases, what other factor also increases? _______________ 5. On average, what percentage of teens in the U.S. drink at least once a month? _______________ News Graph 1. 7% 2. 26% 3. 21 percentage points 4. Their age also increases. 5. 16.3% |
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