Adolescence is a time of transition from child to teenager. During this time of greater independence, adolescents may be tempted to try risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol. However, the adolescent brain is still developing, making it more sensitive to the effects and dangers of alcohol. Regular alcohol consumption by adolescents may lead to permanent mental or physical problems.
Mental Impairments
Drinking alcohol impairs nearly every area of the adolescent brain, including memory, coordination and judgment. These deficits may cause adolescents to struggle in school due to impaired concentration and memory retention. Sports and other physical performance may suffer due to impaired coordination. Since the teenage brain is still developing, regular drinking can lead to permanent impairment in these areas. Alcoholism may also lead to dementia or other debilitating conditions of the brain.
Physical Damage
Regular use of alcohol over a long period of time can damage nearly every organ in the body, including the brain, liver, heart and kidneys. Some common health risks associated with long-term drinking are cirrhosis, or hardening, of the liver and hepatitis, an inflammatory disease of the liver. Drinking also increases the risk of engaging in risky behavior, such as trying other drugs or having unprotected sex. Drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time may lead to alcohol poisoning, which can cause vomiting, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and even death, according to KidsHealth.org.
Obesity
Drinking may increase the risk of weight gain in some individuals for several reasons. One link between alcohol and obesity is that both alcohol and food stimulate the same pleasure centers in the brain, which may lead those with addictive tendencies to overindulge in food. Another possible reason is that most alcoholic beverages are high in empty calories and carbohydrates. Alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, which may make you more likely to overeat or make poor food choices. Both alcoholism and obesity are linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Dependence
The rapid changes taking place in the brain, during adolescence, make young people more vulnerable to becoming addicted to alcohol. Those who try alcohol for the first time, before the age of 15, are five times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who have their first drink around the age of 21, reports the Australian Drug Foundation.
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