Simply put, alcohol abuse and alcoholism are terrible problems in our country. So, imagine how complicated the situation can get when you realize that teenagers and young adults are entering the mix of intoxicated adults. Although underage drinking is not as prevalent as it used to be in the United States, this issue is still common enough to be a huge cause for concern. Back in the 1980s, underage drinking began to slip thanks to the intervention of Congress (via the National Minimum Drinking Age Act), which ordered states to raise the legal age to 21 years or face a 10% loss of funds for federal highways. While this practice was implemented by all 50 states and our capital, though, juveniles in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades are still engaging in this unscrupulous behavior. Let’s take a closer look at the consequences of underage drinking.
How Common Is Underage Drinking?
Based on the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 8.65 million Americans ages 12 to 20 admitted to consuming alcohol (confirming they had consumed a drink in the past 30-day period). Although officials have reported that males engage in binge drinking more than females, these differences are slowly beginning to degrade. Out of groups of students who have drinking problems or have dropped out of school, about 80% confirmed they had been drunk at some time in the previous month (a window of 30 days).
Impact on Development
Although some students only have to be concerned about a drinking problem (which is a major issue unto itself), another portion of juveniles and young adults also face comorbidity with other mental problems including obsessive compulsiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness (among other problems that are amplified by drunkenness). Commonly, habitual drinking and binge drinking take root at 13 years, boost during adolescence, and completely skyrocket from ages 18 to 22.
So, what could make the situation even worse? According to researchers, young people whose binge drinking intensifies by ages 18 to 24 or partake in weekly binge drinking can suffer from severe problems with marriage, education, employment, and financial independence down the road.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or addiction troubles today.
