The dangers of underage drinking are numerous and can be very serious. If you have a child or teen that is abusing alcohol or drugs, it’s important to get them to help so that there are no life-long consequences. The dangers can be physical like overdose or damage to their developing brain. And they can also be psychological like changes in mood or academic success. And finally, they might even experience legal trouble that can affect their academic and professional career. It’s important to give children and teens age-appropriate help if they are struggling with alcohol. Investigate local resources and reach out to a professional if you need support.
The Dangers of Underage Drinking: Getting Help for Your Teen
Overdose
One of the most deadly dangers of underage drinking is an overdose. Over-drinking can be incredibly dangerous to the body and can cause life-long damage to internal organs. Additionally, drinking too much can make you more likely to vomit and if you are inebriated, it’s possible to choke on your vomit. If a teen is showing signs of alcohol poisoning like unconsciousness, breathing issues, or slow pulse, it’s a medical emergency.
Legal Trouble
Another one of the dangers of underage drinking is legal trouble. The legal drinking age is 21 in all fifty states, and it’s against the law for anybody younger. It’s also illegal to purchase alcohol for somebody underage. If your teen is caught drinking, they could face legal trouble. Additionally, getting caught behind the wheel of a car while drinking is a serious crime that can come with jail time. Not to mention the dangers of getting into a wreck.
Social Issues
Some of the dangers of underage drinking are harder to pinpoint. A teen that is abusing alcohol might begin displaying social changes. For example, they might be moodier or begin to develop sleep issues. They might also change their social group or become a loner. Drinking can also lead to a decline in academics and extracurricular activities.
Physical
Finally, there are physical dangers of underage drinking that parents need to be aware of. Abusing alcohol can harm a child’s developing brain and body. It can increase the chances of lifelong illnesses like diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver. It can also lead to lifelong struggles with alcohol abuse. Studies show that teens who abuse alcohol is also at higher risk for unplanned and unprotected sexual activity.
There are many dangers of underage drinking that teens and parents of teens need to know about. An overdose can be deadly, and alcohol poisoning is a severe medical condition. Alcohol can also lead to issues with brain development as well as other long-term physical problems. Teens who abuse alcohol might suffer from social issues and declining grades. And of course, underage drinkers can also find themselves in legal trouble. If you are a teen struggling with alcohol or the parent of a teen, there are resources available. Speaking with an age-appropriate counselor can be very helpful. There are also in and outpatient treatments as well as support groups for teens. Hopefully, you can get the support you need to prevent underage drinking from becoming a life-long struggle.
