1. Introduction

The topic that our group has decided on is “Discuss on the developments of alcoholism amongst youths”. The reason why it is chosen is because of the keen interest on youth which have been consuming alcohol lately. The amount of alcohol intake by youth adults has been increasing recently. The keywords that were used for the research are “developments”, “alcoholism”, and “youth”. Besides, we have also listed down a few variations to our keywords. Like for example, for "alcoholism", it will be "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol addiction". We then make use of these keywords and variations to come out with search phrases like “Increase in alcohol addiction amongst teenagers” to help us improve on our search.

2. Findings

2.1 What is alcohol?

Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacteria to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items — everything from cheese to medications. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative.

Even though alcohol is a natural product it is our concern when people especially youth abuse or drink alcohol excessively. It's absorbed into their bloodstream and from there, it will affect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which controls virtually all body functions. Because experts now know that the human brain is still developing during our teens, scientists are researching the harmful effects drinking alcohol can have on the teen brain.

2.2 Intake of Alcohol amongst Youths

In recent years, the amount of alcohol intake in youths is increasing. Data from recent surveys show that approximately 10 percent of 9- to 10-year-olds have already started drinking, nearly a third of youth begin drinking before age 13 and more than one-fourth of 14-year-olds report drinking within the past year. Other researchers have documented that drinking becomes increasingly common through the teenage years. In addition, a number of studies have documented that the early onset of alcohol use as well as the escalation of drinking in adolescence are both risk factors for the development of alcohol-related problems in adulthood.

These findings clearly are cause for concern, as recent data suggesting that the age of first use of alcohol is declining. These data indicate that the average age of first use among young people of all ages was about 16 in 1999, compared with about 17 1/2 in 1965. Looking at underage drinkers only, 12- to 18-year-olds who report drinking says that they began doing so between 2 and 3 years earlier, which is at the age of about 9 to 15years old respectively. This is important because, as noted, initiating alcohol consumption earlier in adolescence or in childhood is a marker for later problems, including heavier use of alcohol and other drugs during adolescence and meeting criteria for an alcohol dependence diagnosis in adulthood.

Now, alcohol is the drug of choice among youth. Young people drink too much and at too early an age, thereby creating problems for themselves, for people around them, and for society as a whole. Hence, underage drinking is a leading public health problem in this country. This often comes with devastating consequences. It is one contributor to injury death, the main cause of death for people under age 21. Drinking early in life also is associated with an increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder at some time during the life span.

At times, the need for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance.

2.3 Factors and Symptoms

There is a variety of factors that contributes to the development of problem with alcohol. Certain teens are more likely to drink heavily and encounter alcohol-related difficulties, including health, school, legal, family, and emotional problems. Teens at highest risk for alcohol-related problems are those who:

• Begin using alcohol or other drugs before the age of 15.
• Have a parent who is a problem drinker or an alcoholic.
• Have close friends who use alcohol and/or other drugs.
• Have been aggressive, antisocial, or hard to control from an early age.
• Have experienced childhood abuse and/or other major traumas.
• Have current behavioural problems and/or are failing at school.
• Have parents who do not support them, do not communicate openly with them, and do not keep track of their behaviour or whereabouts.
• Experience ongoing hostility or rejection from parents and/or harsh, inconsistent discipline.

A teen who have more of these social experience would have a greater chance of developing problems with alcohol.

Other factors that contribute to this problem would be psychological factors such as elevated levels of stress, inadequate coping mechanisms, and reinforcement of alcohol use from other drinkers. Also, it is due to genetics. Scientists have found that having an alcoholic family member makes it more likely that if you choose to drink, you may develop alcoholism too. The factors contributing to initial alcohol use may vary from those maintaining it, once the disease develops. Many people wonder why some individuals can use alcohol without problems but others cannot.

Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that includes four symptoms:

• Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”

2.4 Consequences and Solutions to Alcoholism

Alcohol is a powerful, mood- altering drug. It affects the mind and body of a person in unpredictable ways. Underage drinking is dangerous as teens normally lack the judgement and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely. This results in a range of adverse short-term and long-term consequences, including:

• Alcohol-related traffic crashes which is a major cause of death among teens. Alcohol use is also linked to youthful deaths by drowning, suicide, and homicide.
• Teens who use alcohol are more likely to become sexually active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex than teens who do not drink.
• Young people who drink are more likely than others to be victims of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.
• Teens who drink are more likely to have problems with school work and school conduct.
• An individual who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol.
• Death from alcohol poisoning.
• Alterations in brain development that may have consequences reaching far beyond adolescence.
• Illness such as liver damage, pancreatitis and dementia.
• Ages quicker on alcohol

The most common and effective way for an individual to combat his or her addictive behaviours is through a self-help support group, with advice and support from a health care professional. Treatment should also involve family members because family history may play a role in the origins of the problem and successful treatment cannot take place in isolation.

If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust. If you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counsellor, clergy member, aunt, or uncle. It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer students to a drug and alcohol counsellor for evaluation and treatment.
In some states, this treatment is completely confidential. After assessing a teen's problem, a counsellor may recommend a brief stay in rehab or outpatient treatment. These treatment centres help a person gradually overcome the physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

3. Conclusion

The trends of alcoholism amongst youths have been increasing drastically and the age of first use of alcohol is declining recently. This shows that more and more youngsters are starting to drink and get addicted to it at an earlier age. It will then turn into a situation whereby it will be unusual for any teen who does not to know how to drink.

Youths usually drink because of curiosity, peer pressure and stress. Some others feel that they look “cool” when they drink. However, we feel that it should not be the case. Most of the teens can look really stupid instead of looking “cool” especially when they are drunk. The nervous system changes that come from drinking alcohol can make people do stupid or embarrassing things, like throwing up or peeing on themselves. Drinking also gives people bad breath, and no one enjoys a hangover.

Furthermore, when large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, the teen has to bare serious consequences as alcohol poisoning can result. It may cause violent vomiting, unconsciousness, extreme sleepiness and even death.

Therefore, in conclusion, it is best to avoid drinking from the start and if you are already a drinker, try your best to stop drinking by seeking help. It is to prevent yourself from all the harmful effects and landing your health at risk.

4. Bibliography

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https://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=3

Anish (2007). "Teen Drinking". Retrived January 19 2008 from World Wide Web:
http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Teen_Drinking

Focus Adolescent Services (2007). “Alcohol and Teen Drinking.” Retrieved January 10, 2008 from World Wide Web: http://www.focusas.com/Alcohol.html

National Institutes of Health (2006). "Alcohol and Development in Youth." Retrieved January 21, 2008 from World Wide Web:
http://www.enotalone.com/article/11189.html

Payne, Kattie (2002, September 9). “The Health Effects of teen Alcohol Use.” Retrieved January 16, 2008 from World Wide Web:
http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teensandalcohol.html.

Starr-Jones, Lauri. (2008, January 11). “Teens - Drugs and Alcohol - The Risks.” EzineArticles. Retrieved January 16, 2008, from World Wide Web: http://ezinearticles.com/?Teens---Drugs-and-Alcohol---The-Risks&id=923473

TeensHealth (2008). "Alcohol". Retrieved January 18, 2008 from World Wide Web:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.html

Witmer, Denise (2005). “Young Teens and Alcohol: The Risks.” Retrieved January 17, 2008 from World Wide Web: http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/teensalcohol/l/blalcohol1.htm