Issue 28: Alcohol and the Teen Brain (part 2)
|
New research suggests that the magic cutoff age of 18 may signal a change in “legal status,” but it doesn’t signal that the brain has finished its development. We now know the brain continues to mature until at least age 25 and throughout adolescence goes through dynamic changes. Alcohol can seriously damage long- and short-term brain growth processes.
|
- Youth who drink may have significant reduction in learning and memory; the damage from alcohol during adolescence can be long-term and irreversible.
- The hippocampus area of the brain handles many types of memory and learning, and it suffers the worst alcohol-related brain damage in teens.
- The prefrontal area of the brain (behind the forehead) undergoes the most change during adolescence. This area is referred to as the “CEO of the brain,” and it plays a major role in forming adult personality and behavior. Researchers have found that drinking as an adolescent can cause severe changes in this area.
- Those who binge once a week or drink significantly before the age of 24 may have problems attaining adult goals such as marriage, education, employment, and financial independence. Rather than “outgrowing” alcohol use, young abusers are significantly more likely to have drinking problems as adults.
- Adolescent drinkers are more likely than their non-drinking peers to be behind in their studies, perform worse in school, and have increased risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, and violence.
- Alcohol impairs the sleep cycle, which negatively impacts learning, memory, and the release of hormones necessary for growth and maturation; “non-users” scored higher than adolescent drinkers on vocabulary, general information, memory, memory retrieval, and other tests.
Parental influence
- Parents’ drinking behavior and attitudes influence adolescent drinking.
- Be clear on your position regarding drinking and drug use, and be sure your children and their friends understand your position.
- Children who are close to their parents, and whose parents talk with them about alcohol use, are less likely to start drinking than kids lacking a positive parental influence.
- Parental support, monitoring, and communication reduce the likelihood of teenage drinking.
- Harsh, inconsistent discipline, hostility, or rejection increase adolescent alcohol use.
- Drinking or the acceptance of drinking by friends increases adolescent drinking.
Give it some thought
For teens, especially those old enough to drive, it’s a good idea to negotiate and sign a behavioral contract. A contract should spell out how you expect your children to behave and should clearly state the consequences for driving under the influence or other infractions. Follow through with consequences according to your agreement.
Practice what you preach. Make a deal with your teens that you and the rest of your family agree never to drink and drive. To help encourage responsible behaviors, arm your teens with viable alternatives to drinking and driving, such as planning for a designated driver or calling an adult for a ride home.
It’s important to keep the dialogue open and the expectations reasonable. Tying responsible actions to freedoms such as a later curfew or a driver’s license acts as a powerful motivator. Teach your children that freedom comes only with responsibility - a lesson that should last a lifetime.
Are your children at risk?
Although any teen is susceptible to abusing alcohol, certain groups may be more at risk than others.
Teens at higher risk include those:
- with a family history of alcohol abuse
- with depression, anxiety, or other disorders
- who have a strong need to “fit in” or who easily succumb to peer pressure
- who suffer from low self-esteem
- whose close friends abuse alcohol
- who have suffered childhood trauma
If you witness warning signs and think your child may have an issue with alcohol, get help as soon as possible. Even if the problem isn’t specifically with alcohol or drugs, your concerns should be addressed.