Essay on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

According to Andrew Herman, “Each year, 14,000 die from drinking too much. 600,000 are victims of alcohol related physical assault and 17,000 are a result of drunken driving deaths, many being innocent bystanders” (470). These massive numbers bring about an important realization: alcohol is a huge issue in America today. Although the problem is evident in Americans of all ages, the biggest issue is present in young adults and teens. In fact, teens begin to feel the effects of alcohol twice as fast as adults and are more likely to participate in “binge-drinking” (Sullivan 473). The problem is evident, but the solution may be simple. Although opponents argue lowering the drinking age could make alcohol available to some teens not

Young teens all get a bad rep when it comes to drinking alcohol. Especially college students that are considered “binge drinkers”. When in reality a nation wide survey of students at 168 colleges and university’s found some interesting things about the underage corrupt youth. 93% of all students have never received a lower grade in a class because of drinking too much. 98% of all college students say that they have never gotten into trouble from an administrator from excessive drinking. While the media continually gives the under twenty one community a bad rep, in reality they are continually practicing safe drinking habits and in some cases not drinking at all. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse by the Institute

A study on teen drinking by the Joseph Raintree Foundation described underage drinking as, “a social activity usually undertaken by small groups of close friends, well away from the oversight of parents or other significant adults.” This kind of unsupervised drinking takes place because Americans place such a heavy emphasis on young people not drinking, catalyzed by zero-tolerance policies schools place on alcohol and a high MLDA. American youth are frequently told that with age, comes more freedom of choice and more responsibility, yet having a MLDA of 21 betrays that notion, almost encouraging young adults to reach for the so-called

Currently the U.S. has the legal age for drinking at twenty-one. This law is often not obeyed, resulting in many unsafe and life changing consequences. Many are asking why teens are doing this and it has many in the U.S. turning heads, and wanting stricter laws. The U.S. has an extremely negative opinion on drinking, partly because of the lifestyle and because of the past issues of drinking in the United States’ history. Along with opinions, schools and parents have tried to combat against drinking and drugs, but to no avail. This results in experimentation and major issues with youth drinking.

A youth’s social abilities can be destroyed by underage drinking. Socialization skills are key when a minor is growing up. A minor struggles to find their own independence and find themselves, therefore creating a distance from family relationships and creating new bonds with peers. The youth tend to try to be similar to each other to fit in with the rest, and as a result, children may be pressured into drinking alcohol. When these minors start to drink heavily and frequently, they may develop self esteem issues, depression, disorders, antisocial behavior, and anxiety. This makes underage drinkers more withdrawn from their peers and families than their peers who choose not to drink. Peers who don’t drink do not tend to associate and be friends with the group of people that do drink. This can lead to isolation and also disdain from those who do

The abuse of alcohol among teenagers in the United States is universal and destructive. Teenagers believe drinking to be the cool that they must do to fit in with a crowd or become the popular one, when they do not realize all it brings is harm. Underage drinking has been one of the largest unsolved problems in history. Although many ideas have been made and put into practice, like raising the drinking age, harsher punishments, and, at one point, banning it all-together, nothing people do can stop teens from getting their hands on this dangerous beverage.

The underage consumption of alcohol is a major obstacle in America. Current statistics show 35 percent of all wine coolers and 1.1 billion cans of beer are consumed each year by underage, illegal drinkers (Novello 455). Possibly the hardest fact to stomach is that children "believe drinking is the thing to do" (Benenson 38). Parents, educators, legislators, and lawmakers previously thought that peer pressure was to blame, however, that is no longer the issue. Underage drinking in America is primarily the cause of children trying to fit in (also known as social drinking), advertising that is aimed at underage drinkers, and inherited traits/genetics. We must understand that alcohol abuse is no longer 'just

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.

Samantha, who use to be a teenage alcoholic, states “When I was 13, friends would make fun of me if I didn’t have a drink. I just gave in because it was easier to join the crowd” (The Truth about Alcohol). Millions of teenagers drink because they don’t want to be considered a “loser” or be made fun of for not drinking. Samantha said they think it's easier to drink and follow the crowd then do what they know is right. This is peer pressure, their peers make them feel bad about not choosing to drink, eventually forcing them to drink. Underage people are bullied everyday until they have a drink. As a teenager they are still trying to figure out who they are, they're trying so hard to fit in. Teens just want to be liked by whoever, that's what makes it so hard for them to say “no”. Even when they say “no” they tend to get laughed at or even humiliated, they may be rejected by the people who they want to be friends with, and they get bullied. Even saying “no” to alcohol doesn’t seem like such a good idea to a teen when they know what the consequences could be (10 reasons teens abuse alcohol or drugs). Influence by other people is another big reason that teens drink. Teens think that alcohol makes it easier for them to socialize. Teens drink because of who their friends are, if their friends drink or party then they’re more likely to drink

Alcoholism is a growing problem in the United States. It can, and oftentimes does, result in illnesses and deaths. “Alcohol is the world’s third largest risk factor for disease and contributes to 4 [percent] of the global burden of disease” (Marshall, 2014). In relation to alcoholism, specifically adolescent alcoholism is a growing concern in the United States. The age at which young people are starting to experiment with alcohol is younger than ever. Dr. Don Macdonald explains that this may most likely be due to the fact that it is legal for the majority of the population. Therefore, adolescents are able to access and get a hold of alcohol more easily than they can other drugs – such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, etc.

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

Underage drinking, specifically in college students age eighteen to twenty years old has profound effects on the young person’s mental health, physical health, and decision making ability and it is happening here in the United States. Alcohol is the most abused drug among the youth, more than tobacco or cannabis. Underage drinking is a public health problem that spans all across the United States. This paper goes in depth to the dangers that underage drinking can lead to. Alcohol is the most widely abused substance by persons under the age of twenty-one, abused more than tobacco. Underage drinking poses huge risks to the abuser’s physical health, mental health, and decision making ability. It can also be a factor in causing harm

Teenage drinking has become a prevalent issue and is extremely dangerous to the rest of society. With young brains reaching full development at the age of 25, it is no wonder that adding alcohol into the mix has serious repercussions. This article is a great wakeup call for teenagers. We all fall victim to the peer pressures of alcohol consumption. Many times, alcohol seems like the best answer in order to fit in and be more sociable, as Ben Yeager stated. Yeager’s story is one that hit home on many levels. His story is so tangible and can easily be the fate of many kids I know at school. While Yeager’s story is relatable, it achieves it purpose of advocating against drinking. As the reader, I grimaced through his

Teenagers are America’s greatest natural resource, and they need to be protected from some of the evils that lurk in the world. A subject that needs special attention is the abuse of alcohol by teens. Statistics show that there is a problem currently between teens and alcohol. There are many causes of teenage drinking and effects that prove that drinking is an important issue that needs to be dealt with to preserve American teenagers. Teenage drinking will become worse of a problem if it continues unchecked on its current path to destruction. Alcohol abuse among teenagers in the United States is a plague that is destroying the structure of American society.

Teenage alcohol abuse is one of the major problems that affect academic performance, cause health problems and is responsible for the death of teenage drivers and sometime their passengers. Many teens drink because they think it is cool and do not understand the dangers of drinking alcohol. In 2008 a survey on the students views on alcohol was conducted in the Atlanta Public School System of 4,241 students surveyed results showed 74% of sixth graders felt there was a health risk while 25% felt there was no health risk; 81% of eighth graders felt there was a health risk, while 19% felt there was none; 82% of tenth graders felt there was a health risk, while 18% felt there was none, and 84% of twelve graders felt there was a health risk,