Concerns and Recommendations Regarding Under-Age Drinking - Lab Report Example

? Under – Age Drinking: Concerns and Recommendations Table of Contents Page No. 3 Introduction 4 Understanding under-age drinking 4 Concernsrelated to under-age drinking 5 Individual and social consequences 6 Contributing factors 7 Intervention strategies 8 Conclusion 10 Recommendations 11 Abstract Under-age alcohol consumption is a growing problem that has been found all over the world. There are a number of issues associated with early alcohol consumption including developmental and social problems that can have long term consequences for the user. Alcohol use by adolescents has been found to have roots in social, environmental, familial and personal factors. Combination of these factors makes some adolescents more vulnerable to early alcohol use and abuse as compared to others. Understanding these factors has helped in the development of intervention strategies that can help in reducing the prevalence of underage drinking. These strategies span different aspects of the individual’s life and provide all-round support that helps in abstinence behavior. Introduction Alcohol use is prevalent in many countries and is viewed as a favorable activity for adults, particularly males (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). This provides an aspirational quality to alcohol consumption and adolescents are tempted to explore the behavior without adequate understanding of the consequences of doing so. While many minors consume only a limited amount of alcohol, unsupervised drinking among adolescents is associated with a number of health issues and negative social experiences for the drinker and others in their lives (Pasch, 2011). As the age of onset for alcohol consumption reduces, the problems associated with it increase (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). This makes it necessary to understand and address the issues related to alcohol consumption by minors. This paper attempts to understand these problems and to explore the possible solutions for the same. Understanding Under-age Drinking Most countries have age limits that restrict the availability of alcohol to adolescents and children. In the United States of America an individual has to be 21 years of age to legally buy alcohol (NIAAA, 2006) while the legal drinking age is 18 in the United Kingdom and Australia (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). In spite of strict laws, a large number of children younger than the legal age frequently consume alcohol. In order to address this, many countries have laws that allow alcohol consumption with parental supervision to provide a supportive environment in which children may experiment with alcohol (Carr, 2003). Regardless, most alcohol consumption by minors happens without parental knowledge and with peers. Studies conducted in the United States of America in 2008 show that over 25% of respondents in the 12 – 20 years age group admitted to consuming alcohol (Pasch, 2011). Similar trends have been observed in studies conducted in different parts of the world. Studies from Latin America, Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom show that over 50% of adolescents aged 15-18 years were likely to have consumed alcohol in the last year and some of these adolescents were likely to be abusing alcohol. Boys are more likely to have consumed alcohol at a younger age, but the sex differences reduced as age increased (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). Medical Concerns Related to Under-age Drinking Alcohol consumption is considered acceptable in adults, and thus there is little stigma associated with it. Adolescents often view the act of drinking as a rite of passage to adulthood and thus are interested in experimenting with alcohol. But there are certain medical concerns associated with under-age drinking that underline the concern shown by parents and government bodies. Early onset of alcohol consumption has been suspected of being associated with increased likelihood for developing health problems later in life (NIAAA, 2006). Adolescents who drink are also likely to suffer long term deficits in thinking and memory as well as critical thinking skills. Alcohol seems to cause impairment in brain development in animal studies (NIAAA, 2006). Adolescents are also vulnerable to liver damage and disruption of physical development of organs and bones (NIAAA, 2006). Alcohol use in adolescence has also been found to be associated with eating disorders and risky sexual behavior. This increases the likelihood of the individual contracting sexually transmitted illnesses or of getting pregnant. Adults who abuse alcohol are at risk for liver damage, heart disease, cancer and ulcers among other concerns. When alcohol consumption and abuse starts earlier, the age of incidence of these illnesses also seems to drop. There seems to be a direct relationship between the number of individuals who abuse alcohol at an early age and the number of individuals who are diagnosed with drinking related health issues later in life (Pasch, 2011). Research has found that early onset of alcohol consumption is also associated with a higher likelihood of developing dependence of alcohol later in life (NIAAA, 2006). Early drinking has also been linked to mental health issues like depression, suicide and emotional disturbances both during adolescence and later in life (Carr, 2003; Pasch, 2011). Individual and Social Consequences Under-age drinking is associated with a number of unpleasant consequences that can have long term impact on both, the individual who is drinking as well as other persons around them. Although alcohol is considered an acceptable intoxicant, it can be a precursor to the use of a number of different substances that are far more harmful (Pasch, 2011). Typically, alcohol consumption has been associated with the use of tobacco, narcotics and other illicit substances (NIAAA, 2006). Those who start drinking earlier are more likely to experiment with these substances as compared to those who start drinking in adulthood. Alcohol use in adolescents has been found to be related to aggressive behavior like starting fights and hurting others as well as getting hurt (Pasch, 2011). Alcohol has a depressive effect on an individual’s thinking and reasoning capacities, and younger persons are more susceptible to these effects (Lerner & Steinberg, 2004). Thus, they are likely to make bad choices and choose an aggressive way of coping with stressors they face. Some of the problems associated with drinking can have far-reaching impact on people’s lives. Adolescents are more likely to be involved in road accidents if they have been drinking (Pasch, 2011). Driving is a new skill for them, and the influence of alcohol reduces their regard for safety and their concern for others. Drunk driving is not just a personal hazard, but also a social one. Not only do a large number of accidents cause death and damage for the person who drinks, but this also puts other individuals who are in the vehicle or on the road at risk (Pasch, 2011). Other social concerns that arise during adult lives of early drinkers include relationship difficulties, dissatisfaction with life in general that are compounded by the health risks faced by these individuals (Pasch, 2011). Contributing Factors It is evident that under-age drinking is a cause for concern on a number of fronts both in the immediate and future lives of individuals. In order to understand the phenomenon adequately, it is important to understand the reasons that attract minors to alcohol. Parental involvement and support seems to predict early onset of drinking such that children who perceive a lack of loving and supportive familial structures are more likely to drink early (Pasch, 2011). Such adolescents often have authoritative or negligent parents. Peer pressure is another important factor that leads to alcohol consumption. Younger individuals are more vulnerable to peer-pressure; and if an individual has friends who drink, they are more likely to drink as compared to an individual whose friends choose to abstain (Pasch, 2011). Adolescents who feel badly about themselves, who face challenges at school and those who have lower self esteem and self worth are also found to be more likely to drink. Some studies have found a link between conduct problems at an early age with the early onset of drinking behavior (Carr, 2003). Adolescence is a period when individual feel the need to take risks and explore new behaviors that are viewed as a part of adult life. Drinking is one such behavior that adolescents want to experiment with (Pasch, 2011). During adolescence, the brain is susceptible to the positive effects of depressants like alcohol and is less affected by over-consumption (NIAAA, 2006). This may provide the individual with positive experiences associated with alcohol consumption that leads to further consumption. Some children are more likely to consume alcohol at a younger age due to hereditary and developmental factors like having mental health issues, alcoholic parents and poor impulse control (NIAAA, 2006). A number of social factors also influence the likelihood of alcohol consumption. Children who have access to alcohol are more likely to drink at an early age as compared to those who do not have access (NIAAA, 2006). This access to alcohol may come from parents, siblings or other family members who may provide alcohol without providing the instruction that is required to understand the way alcohol affects the person’s mind and body (Pasch, 2011). Another factor that seems to influence the choice to drink at an early age is the extent to which an individual is exposed to advertising and other material in the media that recommends alcohol use (Pasch, 2011). Children who view programming that depicts alcohol consumption as a positive action are more likely to want to drink than those who do not watch such material. Flay and Petraitis have described the relationship between personal characteristics, social influences and environmental factors in their 1994 work. According to this Theory of Triadic Influence, health behaviors have their roots in each of these three areas, and problems may need to be addressed at each level in order to find adequate resolutions (Carr, 2003). Intervention Strategies Given the concerns associated with under-age drinking, a number of intervention strategies have been developed by government and private agencies (NIAAA, 2006). A number of strategies have been used that target different aspects of the adolescent’s life. While some strategies are school based, others try to rectify environmental factors and still others are focused on providing the appropriate family atmosphere (Komro & Toomey, 2002). Under-age alcohol use is one of the most difficult issues to address given that moderate alcohol consumption is an acceptable social phenomenon. It is difficult to expect negative attitudes towards alcohol in all persons under the legal age limit prescribed; and thus it is important that adolescents be exposed to the appropriate material that describes the value of abstinence in different spheres of their lives. Home based interventions require parental involvement and the use of debate and discussion to provide the child with a supportive but firm environment in which they can explore their choices and queries about alcohol use (Komro & Toomey, 2002). Parents need to provide discipline and rules that are not restrictive while providing consequences for inappropriate behavior (Komro & Toomey, 2002). Developing adult relationships with the children can help them respect and trust their parents’ guidance about alcohol consumption. Schools also need to provide instruction and education in the consequences of alcohol consumption that is age appropriate and honest (Pasch, 2011). Teachers and guidance personnel need to become involved and respond to students who may need involvement (Stigler, Neusel, & Perry, 2011). Interventions used should be provided regularly at appropriate intervals and should be theory based and factual while providing behavioral alternatives (Stigler, Neusel, & Perry, 2011). Social interventions include programs that help in skill development and provide positive activities for adolescents (Komro & Toomey, 2002). This helps in improving their self worth as well as provides them with the skills and support that they need to respond to stressful situations. Another environmental intervention involves reducing the availability of alcohol to underage persons (Komro & Toomey, 2002). A number of programs that have been developed to reduce alcohol use in under-age persons have shown that the use of multiple interventions is indeed effective in preventing alcohol use in adolescents. One such program is Project Northland that was conducted over a three year period with students from Minnesota (Komro & Toomey, 2002). The program focused on children in grades 6-8 and provided interventions that involved school authorities, parents and guardians as well as community activities (Komro, Perry, Williams, Stigler, Farbakhsh, Veblen-Mortenson, 2001). Issues related to alcohol use were addressed at different levels and consistent guidance was provides for the three year period. At the end of the three year period it was found that alcohol use and abuse both were lower for participants as compare to a comparison group. The project influenced the attitudes held by minors, the extent to which they experienced peer influence to use alcohol, communication about alcohol use and the way adolescents viewed alcohol use (Komro et al., 2001). The study also found enhanced self worth and self efficacy in participants which helped them refuse offers of alcohol (Komro et al., 2001). Other programs like the Midwestern prevention project, the community prevention trial program and such other programs have shown similar success by administering interventions through different media. All these programs share certain traits. Each of them provides training that helps develop self efficacy in target persons and provides support and instruction through school and family agencies (Komro & Toomey, 2002). Each of these programs also involve social education measures and reduce the extent to which adolescents are exposed to situations where they are likely to experiment with alcohol and other substances in an unsupervised environment (Komro & Toomey, 2002). Conclusion It is possible to state that the research into alcohol use and abuse at different ages has encouraged debate about the special concerns that surround under-age drinking. Many of these concerns are medical, but as many are psychological and social in nature (NIAAA, 2006). It has become evident that early onset of alcohol consumption makes an individual vulnerable to a number of problems while itself springing from factors related to the way the individual views themselves and the support available to them (NIAAA, 2006). Adolescents experience new and increased stressors associated with their physical and social development, and need support from family, school, and society to navigate these effectively. Those adolescents who do not find the required support may turn to experiments with alcohol and other substances. As the risk factors that contribute to alcohol use in minors are multifold, the interventions provided for the same also need to address different aspects of the person’s life (Pasch, 2011). When interventions are provided at different levels, minors are less likely to turn to alcohol either for experimentation or support. Recommendations In light of the information about under-age use and abuse of alcohol, it is recommended that parents initially provide a supportive and friendly environment in which adolescents may address their curiosity about alcohol. Parents also need to provide discipline and structure for the adolescents. Secondly, schools need to provide an educational and factual discourse of the issues related to substance use while encouraging active involvement in critical discussion on the topic. Community based projects can provide adolescents with avenues to explore their personalities in a healthy manner while equipping them with the means to cope with the stress they face. Providing consistent but not repetitive interventions for minors through different media help reduce the conditions that lead to alcohol use and increase the conditions associated with responsible choices. Thus, providing life skills training using a multi-systemic approach seems to provide the best means to reduce under-age drinking out of supervised conditions. References Carr, A. (2003). Prevention: What works with children and adolescents? A critical review of psychological prevention programmes for children, adolescents and their families. New York: Psychology Press. Komro, K.A., Perry, C.L., Williams, C.L., Stigler, M.H., Farbakhsh, K. & Veblen-Mortenson, S. (2001). How did project northland reduce alcohol use among young adolescents? Analysis of mediating variables. Health education research, 16, 59-70. Komro, K.A. & Toomey, T.L. (2002). Strategies to prevent underage drinking: Strategies to prevent underage drinking. Alcohol research & health, 26(1), 5–14. Lerner, R.M & Steinberg, L. (Eds.) (2004). Handbook of. adolescent psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2006). Underage drinking: Why do adolescents drink, what are the risks, and how can underage drinking be prevented? Alcohol Alert, 67, 1–8. Pasch, K. (2011). Alcohol use. In Levesque, R.J.R. Encyclopedia of adolescence. New York: Springer. Stigler, M.H., Neusel, E. & Perry, C.L. (2011). School-based programs to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth. Alcohol research & health, 34(2),157–162. Read More