Adolescent Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Adolescent Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Adolescence represents a sensitive stage of development posing a high risk for contacting dangerous addictive behaviors. Drugs and alcohol abuse present a single most serious problem within this population making them vulnerable for serious delinquent behavior. Statistics show that around 50% of American adolescents have used alcohol atleast once while 20% admitted to have been drunk. [NIAAA] Research studies indicate that substance abuse and alcohol indulgence among adolescents create severe impairment of cognitive functions resulting in poor academic performance. Asides the general decline in academic performance, adolescent drinking and drug usage results in increased risk for committing serious crimes such as rape and theft. Alcohol inhibits the central nervous system, which severely impairs the judgment capacity of the person. Consequently, intoxication with drugs or alcohol makes it difficult for the person to successfully overcome sexual advances or sexual violence. A recent survey of high school girls revealed that around 10% of them have been raped under the influence of alcohol. [NIAAA]. By altering the perceptions of the individual alcohol incites aggressive and criminal tendencies in the person.

Sexual assaults

Several studies have confirmed the fact that alcohol indirectly aids in sexual aggression by altering the perception of sexual arousal in their partners. Under intoxication sexual advances are considered as appropriate behaviors. Norris et.al (2001) confirmed these changing perceptions among drinkers. Several studies have indicated that the point of separation between consensual sex and a rape is very thin. While under the influence of alcohol, it becomes even more difficult for the person to understand the cues and to stop what starts as a consensual kissing from becoming a forced or unwanted rape.. [Abbey, 2003] the increase in the number of HIV cases among adolescents also indicates the amount of risk they take under the sway of alcohol. Even more alarming is the increasing incidence of sexual assaults and rapes between associates. Today, every college campus is flooded with ecstasy or other 'date rape drugs' like gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Rohypnol. These drugs totally halt the rational thinking process, impair memory and leave the victim unconscious and without any chance of resisting unwanted sexual activity. [Holly Harner, 2003]

Drunken Driving

Drunken driving is another problem of serious proportions among adolescents and is reported to cause twice the number of fatal accidents than among adults. As per the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), alcohol was directly responsible in around 22% of the fatal accidents involving adolescents and young adults (15 to 20). In 2003 alone there were more than 1750 fatal accidents involving drunken adolescents. A study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that substance abuse among adolescents had a direct effect on their driving outcomes. Thus high risk driving behavior is directly correlated to substance use. [Shope, Jean T, 2004]

Cost of Addictive Behavior (individual and family implications)

Asides the fact that drugs and alcohol rehabilitation add billions of dollars to the nations health care costs, the addictive nature of these substances also implies direct costs to the families concerned. Adolescents have to spend hundreds of dollars for buying drinks and drugs and peer pressure would encourage them to engage in culpable actions. Typically, an alcoholic or drug-abusing adolescent would meet his financial needs by stealing from his own house. The next step is lying and borrowing from friends and in the worst case submitting to demands for sexual favors in order to sustain the costly habit. The individual surrenders his self-respect to the addiction and also losses trustworthiness in the society. As discussed earlier, alcohol and criminal behavior go hand in hand. Substance abusers have problems managing their emotions and typically show more aggressive behavior. This is because consumption of alcohol or other drugs disinhibits the brain regions that normally control our behaviors. Impairment of cognitive ability also limits rational thinking that is essential for normal social behavior. A nation wide study of college students in 1997 revealed that intoxication was a precedent factor to verbal and physical aggression in around 24% of the students. [PETER R. GIANCOLA, 2002, 129-139]