Question

Describe aspects of adolescent drinking. What risk factors are involved in determining if a teen has a potential for alcohol addiction? What interventions can be taken to encourage teens to avoid underage drinking.

IN 350-400 WORDS

Answer 1

Adolescence is a time of life charactezed by strong physical health and low incidence of disease, yet overall morbidity and mortality rates increase 200 percent between middle childhood and late adolescence. This dramatic rise is attributable in large part to the increase in risk-taking, sensation-seeking, and erratic behavior that follows the onset of puberty and which contributes to violence, unintentional injuries, risky sexual behavior, homicide, and suicide. Alcohol frequently plays a role in these adverse outcomes and the human tragedies they produce.

Annually, about 5,000 people under age 21 die from alcohol-related injuries involving underage drinking. It plays a significant role in risky sexual behavior, including unwanted, unintended, and unprotected sexual activity, and sex with multiple partners. Such behavior increases the risk for unplanned pregnancy and for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The risk factors can be many starting from academic failure to illicit drug use and alcohol poisoning. The following protections or interventions should be taken to avoid underage drinking:

Community Protective Factors

• Opportunities for bonding with and engaging in activities with family, school and community
• Anti-drug/anti-underage drinking community norms
• Community norms on alcohol that de-glamorize its use, restrict advertising
• Awareness of laws
• Low prevalence of neighborhood crime

  School Protective Factors

• Academic success
• The reinforcement of life skills and drug/alcohol refusal skills
• Strong student bonds to the school
• Students have an identity and sense of achievement

  Family Protective Factors

• Strong bonds with the family
• Parental monitoring with clear rules of conduct within the family unit
• Involvement of parents in the lives of their children

  Individual/Peer Protective Factors

• Effective socialization skills
• Positive peer relationships
• Self-esteem
• Involvement in religious and pro-social activities