Teen Drinking Discussed

One of the more unbelievable stories to come out of Hernando High School this past Spring was the Senior Trip. According to parents and staff, alcohol use was so rampant on the overnight trip that sixty six students out of the two hundred that went were summarily sent home for abuse of trip rules. This occurred despite the precaution of having all bags inspected prior to leaving as well as signing affidavits acknowledging rules which prohibited alcohol, among other behaviors. Although perhaps expected to happen, the widespread number of teens drinking was a surprise to many.

For this reason, a review of the factors related to adolescent drinking was undertaken for the purpose of educating healthcare providers and parents. Given that the experience of alcohol use is common among teens, in which it is reported that 41 percent of eighth graders, and 63 percent of tenth graders have drunk alcohol at some point indicate the need for preparedness (Windle, 2008). Furthermore, factors related to teen drinking have been identified earlier in childhood.  As these factors have been demonstrated to correlate with problem drinking in adulthood (Dubow, 2008), the need for monitoring and intervention during the formative years is crucial for lifelong health.

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Many changes are happening to Teens today: biologically, social, and culturally.  As a child enters puberty, hormonal changes render changes in physical appearance, psyche, and cognition. Socially, the child is pulling away from family, and entering into groups of peers which are among the most compelling of factors related to alcohol use and other factors (Windle, 2008). Concurrently with the child moving out into the world is the cultural aspect of media portrayal of alcohol consumption through magazines, television, and especially the internet. Parents, heretofore the main model for children to emulate recedes in importance as the teen’s sphere of influence increases.

Furthermore, certain characteristics have been identified that link risk for early drinking and further problems in adulthood. Drubow and Boxer (2008) have identified features of children who are likely to begin using alcohol earlier and in increased amounts.  These features, measurable as early as middle childhood include negative family interaction, aggressiveness, popularity, and behaviors such as novelty seeking and problem externalization. As teens cope with the changing family  dynamics and transition to high school as part of their group of friends, the risk of drinking dramatically increases, along with concurrent problems such as marijuana use, poor school performance, and strained relationships (Deas, 2008).

 Although not all teens that drink are abusive of the substance, the wide range of use illustrated by the Senior Trip informs us that there is a crucial problem in need of addressing. This current generation has been exposed since childhood to abstinence messages at schools and in the media since early childhood.  Due to the numbers of students sent home from the trip, it may be surmised that these methods are in need of reconsideration.  Decreasing the rate of drinking among teens will save lives, reduce crime- after all possession of alcohol by a teenager is illegal- and improve health.

Harriet Martin of Healthy Start at the Hernando County Health Department shares a few important points(Martin, Personal Communication, June 26, 2008): As program director and field worker, many teens report being drunk while engaging in sex that has resulted in pregnancy. Additionally, teens with babies at age 16 are very likely to have another before turning 18.  Their chances of ever getting out of poverty are low, which encourages alcoholism as well.

Programs are available to teens in the county at many areas. Their problem, she adds, is a matter of education: teens have to know what is available. They then have to make use of it which is difficult considering teens’ image concerns as well as transportation. Many local churches engage youth in drinking abstinence parties, and some host programs such as Alateen.  Ms. Martin reiterates that the information is out there. The problem is delivery.

Significantly, programs to discourage alcohol misuse from a healthcare standpoint are available, but with a big catch.  Family or Behavioral therapies demonstrated by Deas(2008) work. Evidence shows a large decrease in drinking behaviors when teens and their families are given tools to deal with such problems effectively. However, in consideration of the county’s economic status, such treatment is out of reach for many if not most.

Improvements in the delivery of such care should be an important goal for the community. Local and state politicians should be apprised of this problem and instructed to act. Although this may sound futile, bear in mind that several of those serving the public did so before within the classroom.  Creative solutions at this stage may yet save a few of those who will descend into alcoholism or worse, as well as decrease the number of children who have yet to pick up the bottle.

References

Deas, D. (2008). Evidence-Based Treatments For Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents. Pediatrics, 121, s348-s354. Retrieved June 29, 2008, from Pediatrics.orgOvid.

Dubow, E., Boxer, P. & Huesman, L. (May 2008). Childhood and Adolescent Predictors of Early and Middle Adulthood Alcohol Use and Problem Drinking. Addiction, 103, 36-47.

Windle, M., et al. (2008). Transitions into Underage and Problem Drinking: Developmental Processes and Mechanisms Between 10 and 15 Years of Age. Pediatrics, 121(121), s273-s289. Retrieved June 29, 2008, from www.Pediatrics.orgOvid.