During the adolescent years, it is common to participate inbehaviors that are rebellious or peer influenced. One of the mostcommon activities is adolescent drinking. It is estimated thatnearly 75% of college students consume alcohol within a 30 dayperiod and more than half of all 12th graders have been intoxicatedat some point in their lives (Feldman, 2015). The problem withthese statistics is majority of these surveyed are participating inbinge drinking and not just having a social drink. Binge drinkingis drinking multiple drinks during a sitting, resulting in beingintoxicated. Binge drinking can cause a lot of unusual behaviorsthat not only directly affect the person drinking but thepopulation surrounding the person. Binge drinking as also shown todisturb the white matter on brain scams and has the potential toopen the doorway to alcoholism. Alcohol addiction or alcoholism iswhen a person cannot control their alcohol use and are unable tostop drinking once they begin. This can make a person binge drinkor even drink continuously throughout the day. It is not entirelyclear as to what makes a person an alcoholic but genetics does playa role. Adolescents with parents or family members who have anaddiction to alcohol have an increased risk factor to becomingaddicted as well. An increase in stress or a need to releasetension can be other reason for adolescents to become addicted.Some interventions taken to encourage adolescents to notparticipate in drinking are joining peer groups or having friendsthat hold higher standards. Surrounding yourself with peers that donot participate in drinking is a great first step but not always anoption. In the event a adolescent finds themselves at a party whereunderaged drinking is occurring, they should try to be a designateddriver or a sober friend to ensure others are safe. Some highschools have ‘project graduations’ or ‘sober prom committees’ togive students other options other than going down the shore toparty. There are also plenty of dry college campuses which can helpdiscourage some, but of course not all, students from drinking.Resident advisors at college dorms can also help maintain a soberliving environment and encourage underclassmen to participate inscheduled events and activities that do not include drinking. Oneof the most important influences for adolescents not to drink ishaving a healthy example within their own parents. Talking to youradolescent child about avoiding groups that participate in drinkingand partying while maintaining an open relationship with them canhelp tremendously with these situations.
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