Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Teens: Effects
Adolescents, however, are at a very real risk for permanent physical impairment due to alcohol abuse, primarily because of differences in the structure and development of their brains. Studies have shown that binge drinking, a pattern characterized by consumption of very large quantities of alcohol at one time, damages the frontal cortex. This area of the brain is critical in the development of self-regulation, judgment, reasoning, problem solving, and impulse control – all thought processes which must be fully established in order for a minor to be safe and healthy. The prevalence of binge drinking among teens, combined with their proven ability to drink more alcohol than adults, leaves them susceptible to:
- Coma and death due to alcohol poisoning;
- A disruption of normal growth patterns in the liver, bones, and endocrine (hormonal) system;
- Permanent changes in the physical structure of the brain;
- Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression; and,
- Alcoholism as adults.
