Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain

     Adolescence is the transition between childhood and adulthood. During this time, significant changes occur in the body, including rapid hormonal alterations and the formation of new networks in the brain. Adolescence is also a time of trying new experiences and activities that emphasize socializing with peers, and conforming to peer–group standards. These new activities may place young people at particular risk for initiating and continuing alcohol consumption. Exposing the brain to alcohol during this period may interrupt key processes of brain development, possibly leading to mild cognitive impairment as well as to further escalation of drinking.

      Subtle alcohol–induced adolescent learning impairments could affect academic and occupational achievement. In one study, Brown and colleagues evaluated short–term memory skills in alcohol–dependent and nondependent adolescents ages 15 to 16. The alcohol–dependent youth had greater difficulty remembering words and simple geometric designs after a 10–minute interval. In this and similar studies, memory problems were most common among adolescents in treatment who had experienced alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The emergence of withdrawal symptoms generally indicates an established pattern of heavy drinking. Their appearance at a young age underscores the need for early intervention to prevent and treat underage drinking.

     Although the prevalence of high–risk drinking declines after early adulthood, alcohol–induced brain damage may persist. Memory impairment has been found in adult rats exposed to alcohol during adolescence. In addition, sophisticated imaging techniques revealed structural differences in the brains of 17–year–old adolescents who displayed alcohol-induced intellectual and behavioral impairment. Specifically, the hippocampus—a part of the brain important for learning and memory was smaller in alcohol–dependent study participants than it was in nondependent participants. Adolescents who began drinking at an earlier age had proportionately smaller hippocampus volumes compared with those who began later, suggesting that the differences in size were alcohol induced.


Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Date of original publication:
Submitted by Matt Beckett 12-10-2009

 

 

Being the parent of a teen can be frustrating at times but rewarding for the most part. Here are some helpful tips for getting through the sticky situations we all have to face when raising teenagers.

 

Here are six actions to take today to help keep your child alcohol-free:

• Talk Early & Often
• Get Involved
• Be a Role Model
• Teach kids to choose friends wisely
• Monitor your teens
• Set rules & clear boundaries

Monitoring your teen means simply keeping tabs on your kids, including where they are, whom they are with, what they are doing and when they will be home. It means asking questions, having them check in, and having you check up on them. Plug into their school, work, peers, after school activities, adult relationships, and free time, and watch for changes in behavior that may signal substance abuse.

Quick check - Do you follow up to confirm whereabouts?

• Do you know where they are after school?
• Do you know the parents of their friends?
• Do you have rules about where they can spend time?

Get involved with parent groups or school organizations to discuss risky teen behavior and monitor the trends as a community.

Be a good role model. Your actions communicate a great deal to your teen, even if you use alcohol or tobacco, telling your teen to stay away from substances has a major impact on their actions and keeps use down.

Know the risks:

Alcohol means risky business for young people, including everything from traffic-accidents to problems at school, sexual activity & exposure to violent crimes.

Hosting:

• Agree on a guest list - no party crashers
• Set ground rules, then encourage your teen to plan the party with a responsible friend so that he or she will have support if problems arise.
• Brainstorm activities for the party
• Serve plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Be visible and available, but don'??t join the party!
• Research shows that kids whose parents or friend'??s parents provide alcohol for teen get-togethers are more likely to engage in heavier drinking, to drink more often, and to get into traffic crashes. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW IN COLORADO TO PROVIDE ALCOHOL TO MINORS.