Youth Alcoholism

By Harshit Mahajan

We all know that drinking too much alcohol is bad for our health. According to the CDC, alcohol is the most common substance consumed by high school and university students in the United States.

Alcohol is a depressant. That means it slows down or depresses the brain. Like many drugs, alcohol changes a person's ability to think, speak, and see things as they really are. A person might lose his or her balance and have trouble walking. Their mood changes: they may feel relaxed and happy, and then start crying or get into an argument.

Why Do Teenagers Try Alcohol?

• to look cool

• to see what it's like

• other kids are doing it

• to relieve stress

Someone may start drinking alcohol because it makes them feel good at first. The trouble with this is that drinking excessively can make them feel bad or sick afterward. A person may feel relaxed with just a little bit of alcohol but too much can affect mental health and increase the risk of alcohol addiction.Someone may drink to avoid the problems they don't know how to deal with. They need caring adults, friends, and peers to help them solve their problems in a healthier way.

How to Have a Proper Work-life Balance

Here are some ways to help you manage your mental health:

• Use an agenda to plan ahead - starting your homework the day before the deadline and skipping your classes only leads to poor results which will eventually affect your motivation and self-confidence.

• Take some time for yourself - go out to play instead of playing on the PS or Xbox, go meet your friends, or meditate in the morning

Lastly, I would like to say that drinking alcohol is not at all cool. Maintaining your physical and mental health should be a priority.

References

CDC. (2020, October 23). Underage Drinking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-

drinking.htm.

Dowshen, S. (Ed.). (2016, September). Alcohol (for teens). KidsHealth. Retrieved September

29, 2021, from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/alcohol.html.

NIH. (2021). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-

and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics.