Alcoholism among teenagers is one of the most serious problems of modern society. Teenage alcoholism is the product of immoderate and accelerating use of alcohol in adolescents and young adults.  A great number of our teenagers are facing problems of enormous drinking.

One of the trademarks of today’s teenagers is their sense of adventurism which may backfire once it goes unchecked. Most teenagers are very interested in experimentations or merely trying something new. Out of curiosity they want to experience how it feels to be under the spell of alcohol. Drinking among teens sometimes is done for excitement or as a form of celebration. Excessive drinking may also be induced by peer pressure, rejection by family members, lack of parental guidance, or the parents’ drinking habit. Teens’ inability to manage mental and emotional state is also a driving force to engage in excessive drinking. Attractive media advertisements that depict a sense of “machismo” among alcohol drinkers also entice teens to engage in drinking.

According to researchers, teenagers who begin to drink alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who drink after the age of 21. It has been estimated that about three million teenagers in the United States suffer from alcoholism. Elsewhere across the globe, teenage alcoholism is increasingly becoming a social dilemma.

There are a lot of dangers associated with teenage alcoholism, these include health problems, behavior disorders, legal implications and even death. Accidents such as car crashes, homicides, drowning, burns, and often inadvertent injuries due to violent behavior have been linked to intoxicated teens. Since the brain of a teenager is still under a developing process, excessive consumption of alcohol can affect not only its development but also mental faculties, memory, and rational thinking. A number of behavior disorders such as impulsiveness and violent behavior are generally seen in teenagers with heavy drinking problems. Since it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, teenagers found with increased alcohol content in the blood can be penalized or arrested.