LUIS BLOG!

Perhaps if teens and preteens understood the effects of alcohol, the influences that lead to drinking, and the potential for social drinking to turn into alcoholism, many would not be the regular drinkers they are today. Perhaps if teens learned the skills for coping with emotional problems, the number one reason given by teens for their alco- hol abuse, many would not take their first drinks before entering high school.

When teens drink, they not only put themselves at risk for abuse but also increase their chances of becoming involved in crimes, suicides, and violent encounters with others. They are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. When they drink and drive, they risk adding to alcohol-related automobile fatality statistics. The number one killer of young people, alcohol-related traffic accidents, killed 2,222 sixteen- to twenty-year-olds in 1994.

While teen alcohol use in the United States is high, recent efforts are aimed at preventing numbers from rising even higher. From the kitchen table, to the classroom, to the local liquor store, new prevention strategies reach into virtually every aspect of teens’ lives. Some estimates suggest that more than fourteen hundred adolescents and young adults benefit daily from alcohol prevention programs.

More than 126,000 patients admitted to state-funded alcohol treatment programs in 1991 were under the age of twenty-one. In recognition of the fact that alcoholism is no longer just an adults’ disease, numerous treatment programs now focus specifically on teen alcoholism. Though employing traditional alcoholism treatment methods, these teen programs focus on issues and problems that lead to teen alcohol abuse. They also give teens a chance to see that they are not alone in their problems or their struggles to get sober.

The special challenge is to educate teens about the potential dangers of drinking before experimentation with alcohol turns into alcohol abuse, and before abuse turns into teen alcoholism. Teens who may already be alcoholics also need facts about alcohol that can help them both determine and admit that they may have problems. After all, teen alcoholics are likely to become adult alcoholics whose children are likely to become alcoholics in turn. This cycle of alcoholism can be broken, however, when addicted teens are given the help and support they need to become sober, self-confident adults who are ready to become productive members of society.

The Health Effects of Teen Alcohol Use
    There has been many studies conducted on the health effects of both short-term and long-term use of alcohol among adults.  Long-term risks inlcude liver damage, pancreatitis, certain cancers, and literal shrinkage of the brain.  Alcohol use is the second leading cause of dementia; one simple ages quicker on alcohol. (3)  But professionals today are worried about a steady increase in teen alcohol abuse and the possible negative health effects.  According to an article published by the British Medical Association (BMA) entitled:  “Alcohol and Young People”, “…there was a general rise in the proportion of 11 to 15 year-olds who drink alcohol regularly, but also there is an increase in the amount they are drinking on each occasion.” 
    Adolescence is a transition time when the body is undergoing many significant changes, such as hormonal alterations and brain development.  It is also a time when young people start to associate more with friends and associates beyond their childhood contacts.  They feel an increased pressure to ‘fit in’ or ‘go along with the crowd’ in order to be accepted socially. These new circumstances can be confusing and difficult for the youth to understand and deal with.  Often their ability to make correct or safe decisions is also at a stage of immaturity. Exposing the brain to alcohol during this period may interrupt key processes of brain development, possibly leading to mild cognitive impairment as well as to a further escalation of drinking.
    Alcohol is absorbed very rapidly into the blood stream from the stomach lining, in as short a time as 5 to 10 minutes and it’s effects last for several hours depending on the amount ingested and how quickly it was consumed.  Females absorb alcohol faster than males because their bodies contain less water.  The water dilutes the alcohol and so the same amount of alcohol will produce a higher concentration in the blood.  After consuming only 2 to 3 normal strength beers, or 4 or 5 standard glasses of wine, most people will feel less inhibited and more relaxed.  Anything consumed after this amount most people slur their speech and become less coordinated and clumsy.  Some people have increased emotional reactions.  More alcohol could result in staggering, double vision, and loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and an impression of the room spinning.

I have came to school almost this whole year.Well life is good so i guess it’s a good year because of all I learned.My parents are like damn he really went to school.Teachers would maybe just be like to do my homework.All the work I did this year.It’s a big improvement.From last year I didn’t go to school.And if I did I wouldn’t go to class.

I would say about 5.!I feel that I am disorganization Because right now i feel out of place.I’m missing a lot of work.The missing work.The homework as well.

The end of the school year I will still be going to school.I guess even summer school.I don’t know which classes I’m going to take.By doing all my work.Also my homework in other classes.One more thing would be staying in office hours.I need to at least pass four classes.

I was in this one house party and I just ended up getting down with one of my closes friends.I just wanted to fight so I picked On Him.That Killed Our Friendship that one stupid night.Hey I guess everything happens for a reason.I don’t regret it at all.I don’t recall regreting anything in life at all.I just learn and let go.If I could go back I think I wouldn’t go to the house party thou.Just saying.

Don’t Regret Anything In Life.!

Its Not Worth It.!

Just Learn And Let Go.!

Peace Will Find Us In Harmony.!

Recognize Your Problems Before You Can Fix Them.