Alcohol use and Misuse by Young People – Practitioners Perspectives
Introduction
Two million people are estimated to die each year all over the world from alcohol related complications (World Health Organisation, 2011). With its numerous associations with risky and aggressive behaviours, irresponsible sexual behaviours, crime, increased likelihood of traffic accidents, health complications, mental health problems and mental disorders (Bruin, 2014), alcohol consumption could result in a large amount of severe implications on numerous lives. This is a serious social problem, and a public health issue, which places a heavy burden on the society, and affects a large number of individuals of all ages (Drink aware, 2011).
Whilst government
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Moreover, in any circumstances alcohol, it is being used by young people; it should not be beyond the age of 15. However, young people between 15-17 years of age should only consume alcohol under parental guidance, or career, or within a supervised environment. (Warwick et.al, 2009). With alcohol being a major concern, numerous services with target support to young people should make local alternatives and strategies to consumption of alcohol with enough accessibility and availability to young people (Warwick et.al, 2009). This dissertation examines Alcohol use and Misuse by Young People through practitioner’s perspectives using youth workers as the main practitioners to obtain the dynamics of alcohol use in young people. It investigates the behaviours and risks associated with the use, and excessive use or misuse of alcohol. This dissertation will seek to investigate the strategies to support young people on the use of alcohol, as well as to examine the training and resources available to offer these support to young people. The significance of Alcohol use and misuse by young people is to find the current improvement in the consumption of alcohol in relation to young people, as well as the policies/ legislations and organisation working to render support in achieving these improvements. This dissertation will use a case-study methodology to examine
Underage drinking has long been, and continues to be, a serious public health concern. “Teen alcohol use kills more than 4700 people each year and high school students who use alcohol or other drugs are five times more likely to drop out of school” (MADD, 2014) than kids who do not. There have been years of underage drinking prevention programs to curtail the use of alcohol by those under 21 years of age and yet alcohol is the most widely used drug by adolescents in the United States (Wagoner et al. 2012).
Most people would concur that alcohol should not be given to teenagers. Despite the fact that we concede to this essential truth, underage drinking is still a noteworthy issue in our nation. Since adolescents need development and information with regards to liquor, they put themselves, as well as others in incredible danger when they decide to consume. Regardless of the risk, there are individuals out there who believe that the drinking age should be lowered.
Alcohol is the most abused licit psychoactive drugs that affect one 's ability to think rationally and distorts their judgement if consumed excessively. Alcohol addiction is an illness arising from prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks. An alcoholic is a person suffering from alcohol addiction. Prolonged excessive use of large quantities can eventually lead to chronic health diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, anaemia, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression seizures, gout and alcohol related accidents and crime. Statistics show that 9 million people in England drink more than the recommended daily intake while an estimated 8.697 died of alcohol-related deaths in 2014. According to the WHO worldwide alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Alcohol beverages with varied percentage content are consumed globally during religious, social, cultural events, festivals and other occasions. The use of alcoholic beverages has been an integral part of many cultures for thousands of years (McGovern, 2009). Over the centuries, there have been ongoing measures, research, interventions and policies which are aimed at promoting the moderate use of alcohol with a particular emphasis on preventing or reducing undesired outcomes. This essay will outline the key components of brief interventions in alcohol, the difference in approach with traditional methods of treatment and in conclusion, the
While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical
Alcohol use has spanned history. In fact, there is speculation that alcohol use actually preceded the formation of societies (Doweiko, 2015, p. 30). Thus, alcohol has long been a part of mankind’s life. The function of alcohol has unarguably changed throughout the course of history, as it was first used for nutritional purposes and then later on for religious purposes (Doweiko, 2015, p. 32). Today, alcohol serves a social purpose. In the United States, the prevalence of use is quite high, with just over 50% of the population partaking monthly (Doweiko, 2015, p. 34). This statistic is somewhat alarming considering alcohol use comes with a number of potential adverse consequences. Case in point, even
To further develop their position, the author also explores the details of “binge drinking” and states that “youth often consume more alcohol in one sitting than adults, in part because the brain of a maturing adolescent can tolerate more alcohol with delayed effects as compared to the brain of an adult”. They go on to describe the possibilities and dangers of alcohol poisoning and the fact that every year, over four thousand youth deaths involve alcohol consumption. This statistic is backed up not only by the CDC in the article, but also in studies done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
According to the Dual Diagnosis website, “In 2012, as many as 87.6 percent of American adults over age 18 were reported in a SAHMSA…study to have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives…The National Institutes of Health…estimated that 17 million adults in the United States in 2012 had an alcohol use disorder” (“Disease…”). Approximately one in every 12 people either are abusing alcohol, or they are becoming, if not are, victims of alcoholism (National…). Alcohol consumption is especially known in our society’s culture. There are numerous people who like to drink every now and again in moderation; however, there are far too many people who abuse the alcohol and may even be completely dependent on it. Several
In today’s American society, the consumption of alcohol is commonly practiced. It is quite uncommon for one to attend a social event where the presence of alcohol is obsolete. However, society has deemed it fit to tell our youth that they are not allowed to participate in the traditional social pastime of drinking until they reach the age of 21. Hence, when they encounter methods around this predicament-and most of them do-young adults often participate in the reckless consumption of alcohol in large quantities.
Even though the drinking age is 21 there is still a problem with underage drinkers. When teens get their hands on the alcohol they don’t understand the dangers of it. Therefore, they are careless and feel as if they are invisible and no one can stop them. Luckily, rates of adolescent alcohol use have fallen since the 1980s, but the
Historically teenagers and young adults between the ages of 13-24 tend to lack the maturity and capability to exercise the proper judgement to temper their alcohol consumption.
Today, in our modern society, drinking alcoholic beverages among young people isn’t surprising anymore. Under aged drinking is very common around the world as we become more liberated every passing year. According to HelpGuide.org “More than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol. Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking.” Drinking alcohol can have a serious effect in one’s physical and cognitive health, excessive use of alcohol can be very dangerous as it may lead to accidents, violent behavior and alcohol poisoning. Drinking at a young age can lead to alcohol problems later in life.
Underage drinking has been going on for decades. However, besides from it being illegal the consequences and long term effects are not always discussed. Underage drinking puts our youth at greater risk of health issues and negative social outcomes. Approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die a year from alcohol related injuries. Such as, motor vehicle accidents, drowning, homicides, and suicides. Underage drinking also plays a role in drug use, academic failure, sexual activity, tobacco use, and has a huge impact on the brain. A United States study states that pre-adolescent drinking from ages 10-12 is an extremely vulnerable period for the development of future alcohol problems. Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse
First off, alcohol addiction and abuse among teenagers today is a bigger problem than ever before. The root of the problem lies in the fact that the teens are so exposed to the culture of this day and age, leading them to where they have easy access to alcohol. For example, their parents may already be alcoholics, and it's merely a few bad decisions later which could cause the child to have a few drinks and cloud their judgement. This is a big problem because their young bodies have never encountered anything like alcohol before, so in turn, the body does not know how to process it, and therefore leads to their downfall. A publication released by the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAA) suggests that by age 18, an astounding 60% of US teens would have had at least one drink. Moreover, according to the NIAA, youth between the ages of 12 and 20 will often binge drink as well.
Young people are considered to constitute the largest number of alcohol consumers and they account for a large portion of alcohol sales. This is despite the strict drinking laws that govern many countries as regards alcohol purchase and consumption. Underage drinking, which has been on the increase, is allegedly the major cause of alcohol-related problems facing the modern
Alcohol dependence is known to be the most severe form of alcohol abuse. A person becomes so dependent on alcohol consumption that he/she loses sight of all the other important things going on around him/her. Family matters and social responsibilities become secondary worries to his/her primary concern for existence, which is drinking (Stephens, 2007). Nearly fourteen million Americans are somewhat dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is more prominent in men, and young adults ages 18-29 (Stephens, 2007). According to a study done by Saitz “85,000 deaths, along with substantial disability from medical and psychiatric consequences, injuries and “secondhand” effects (ex: motor vehicle crashes) are attributed to the use of alcohol” (Saitz, 2005).