Sims 1

Teenage Alcoholism

Sims, Jasmine Mrs. Verdun Eng IV, 8B 25 March 2014

Sims 2 Jasmine Sims Mrs. Verdun English IV 4 April 2014 Teenage Alcoholism Do you believe teenage drinking is a big problem in the world today? Some people believe it is a big problem, while some people believe it is completely normal. We all know the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 but our teenagers continue to break this law. I believe alcohol use among teenagers is a serious problem because it can sometimes be the leading cause for death, distress and behavior problems. The cause for alcoholism is different for most teens. Some teens dont drink for the same reasons others may drink because of. Most teens start drinking due to peer pressure and other problems that they may encounter each day.

Sims 3 There can be several causes to why most teens drink. The most common ones are peer pressure, stress, family oriented problems and also through genetics. Many teens may decide to drink because their friends are doing it or people convinced them to try that is considered to be peer pressure. Girls are more likely to drink because of family problems than because of peer pressure (helpguide). Teenagers face a lot of challenges which leads to stress. Some seek alcohol to relieve their stress and other problems they face. Alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious (Kidshealth). Most teens today are raised in dysfunctional families. They see alcohol as their aid to a functional family. In some cases it can even be genetic. Genetic factors appear to play a significant role in alcoholism and may account for about half of the total risk for alcoholism. A teen with an alcoholic sibling or parent is four times more likely to develop a problem with alcohol than someone without such a family history (helpguide).

Sims 4 A family down the line or even one of their parents might be an alcoholic and they may have developed their bad habits. A national survey found that slightly more than half of young adults in the U.S. between the ages of 12 and 20 have consumed alcohol at least once. Some researchers speculate that teens are more vulnerable to addiction because the pleasure center of the brain matures before the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and executive decision making (helpguide). What the teens do not know is that drinking affects their behavior. Alcohol causes a change in behavior. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry (Kidshealth). Teens that use alcohol are more likely to report behavioral problems, especially aggressive, delinquent and criminal behaviors, according to findings of a new study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). They may also skip school, fight, or steal. According to a new study conducted in mice by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, chronic alcohol

Sims 5 exposure leads to brain adaptations that shift behavior control away from an area of the brain involved in complex decision-making. Teens become aggressive when under the influence of alcohol. The alcohol affects their brain causing them to portray outrageous and sometimes criminal actions. They may act out and be violent towards others by being verbally or physically abusive toward others. Being under the influence of alcohol may cause them to beat their girlfriends, boyfriends, family members, and sometimes their parents. Also people who drink alcohol commit dangerous crimes such as murders, or assaults. Alcohol does not only affect your behavior but it also affects your emotions. Alcohol is a depressant (Kidshealth). Alcohol abuse can cause emotional problems such as anxiety or depression and physical and emotional distress (Casa Palmera). According to Casa Palmera, studies show that eighth-grade girls who drink heavily are three times more likely to attempt suicide than girls in their grade who dont drink, and teenage girls aged 12-16 who drink are four times more likely than their non-

Sims 6 drinking peers to suffer from depression. This occurs when the chemicals are unbalanced. Chronic alcohol use shifts brains control of behavior (NIH). Even though you are not able to control your emotions due to drinking it can have a bigger effect on you. We all know alcohol use among teenagers is a leading cause for death, injuries and crimes. About 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning (NIAAA). Also it can cause major health problems such as respiratory failure, digestive system problems, heart failure, liver failure, nervous system problems and alcohol posing. Many car accidents occur because of drunk drivers. About one-third of drivers ages 21 to 24 who died in a car crash in 2009 had a blood alcohol level that was over the legal limit (helpguide). Most of the drivers that cause the accidents are young underage teenagers who have been drinking and lost control of the wheel killing

Sims 7 others within the accident. Recent study showed that 28 percent of 15- to 20year-old drivers who were killed in car crashes had been drinking (Casa Palmera). It can also cause injuries to the liver which can lead to liver failure. Alcohol can cause inflammation throughout the body. It can affect the digestive system because the lining of the stomach can become inflamed and prevent the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. Alcohol can affect the nervous system by experiencing numbness and tingling in the hands or feet and contribute to short-term memory loss. Heavy drinking among teens over many years can result in serious mental disorders or permanent, irreversible damage to the brain or nervous system (Casa Palmera). According to the American Medical Association, scientific evidence suggests that even modest alcohol consumption in adolescence can result in permanent brain damage. Teenage alcoholism is something that needs to be addressed. Teenage alcoholism can be avoided if we try to address the situation before it gets out of control. Since alcoholism has become a major problems there are several

Sims 8 programs that is available to help those in need of help. Alcoholism treatment is usually treated based on the stage of the addiction, ranging from management of risk factors and education to intensive residential treatment followed by long-term outpatient care and support (Medicinenet).There are a lot of counselors that are available and willing to guide teens into the right direction. There are various classes such as AAA classes that teens can attend and discuss their drinking problems in order to over their drinking problem. Some schools take teenage alcoholism as a huge factor and hold assemblies to address it. I believe the percent of teens that drink can be reduced. If we address the situation and get our teenagers the help they need to get them to turn away from alcohol. Teenagers today go through many trials and tribulations and turn to alcohol as their way to escape but I believe we can help them through it. We need to raise more awareness so we can stop this problem.

Sims 9 Works Cited "Alcohol." KidsHealth.org. Ed. Steven Dowshen. The Nemours Foundation, 01 June 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Edwards, Roxanne D. Alcohol and Teens. Http://www.medicinenet.com . Melissa Stoopler, n.d. Wed. 5 Feb. 2014 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb.2014 Palmera, Casa. "The Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Teens." Casapalmera.com. N.p., 13 Dec. "NIH Study Finds Chronic Alcohol." Nih.gov. N.p., 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.Publication T, Buddy. Teen Drinking and Behavior Problems. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb 2014. "Teenage Drinking." Http://www.helpguide.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. "Teen Alcohol Abuse Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. 11 Facts About Teens And Alcohol. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014