Running Head: Teens Alcohol Use

Teens Alcohol Use
Alexis Gilmer
CM107-81

Professor J. Kares
September 3, 2013

Teen's Alcohol Use
Many of us have teen's that's entering middle or high school, that's usually around the time teens start to engage in drinking activities, even though; drinking under the age 21 is against the law, some teen's don't pay attention or can care less about what the law says, but as their parents we have to explain to them the danger's and harm alcohol can cause. Alcohol use during the adolescent develop-mental period(i.e.ages12-18 years)has unique significance. While alcohol purchase, possession and/or consumption are illegal during adolescence in many countries, the initiation of alcohol use is normative during this developmental period. In adolescence,alcohol consumption varies according to age,reaching near adult levels at age 18 years.(CNS Drug, 2012, p. 2) When kids start drinking before the age 21 their more than likely to, become involved in violent behaviors, attempt suicide, engage in unprotected sex or have multiple partners, and develop alcohol problems later in life. More than half of American youths ages 12 to 20 have tried alcohol. Girls are nearly as likely as boys to experiment with drinking. Talking to kids early and openly about the risks of drinking can help reduce their chances of becoming problem drinkers. (helpguide.org)
As parents it's important to notice any changes in our kids behavior, we should know some if not all of all children friends, make sure we teach them what's right and wrong if alcohol becomes involved, when they're venturing out with their friends going to school games, movies, the mall, and parties. They will know if alcohol does shows up at one of these event's they will know the dangers of alcohol before engaging in the activity themselves, although their friends is doing it. “By informing our kids that alcohol is a major factor in fatal automobile crashes, drinking may have lasting health effects, and drinking can lead to sexual assaults and rape”(helpguide.org), this will not only benefit them but others that's around them whose under age as well and wants to drink.
When teens drink so much an often it's consider binge drinking and can cause alcohol poison. Informing out teens what binge drinking is important. “Binge drinking—consuming five or more drinks at a sitting, for males, four or more for females—can cause teens to pass out, black out (lose memory of events that occurred while they were intoxicated), feel sick, miss school, or behave in ways that would otherwise be uncharacteristic of them. For example, they may drive while drunk or get into arguments. Some binge drinkers imbibe heavily every weekend and abstain or drink only in moderation during the week. Others binge less often—for example, during holidays, on special occasions, or at times of great stress. This kind of problem drinking may go unnoticed because people may excuse an occasional binge as a celebration that got carried away or as a response to unusual stress. Although many young adults drink responsibly or abstain altogether, binge drinking is still a common problem. While teens as young as age 13 admit to this practice, it becomes more popular in mid-adolescence and peaks in the college years. College students between the ages of 18 and 22 are more likely to report binge drinking than non-students of the same age. Recent news reports of deaths from alcohol poisoning on college campuses have spotlighted the dangers of binge drinking. Binge drinkers are eight times more likely than other college students to: Miss classes,fall behind in schoolwork,be injured,and damage property. Binge drinkers also face the grim consequences of alcohol poisoning, a severe and potentially fatal reaction to an alcohol overdose. Possible