Yale University has been researching the psychological and neurological aspects of teens being more defenseless with addictive substances as their brain has not developed in the aspect of trying to control impulses. If you look at the overall picture, with the pressures of adulthood, makes a desperate combination and become a serious problem leading to alcoholism . Genetics in teens parentage also plays a role in their make-up in regard to vulnerability to addiction.

Actually, the brain is like a circuit and one that is rapidly changing while being a teenager . This condition leaves most teens in a state of having less inhibitions and subject to risky behavior including experimenting with different parts of their life which includes drinking and drugging . Since this part of the brain also is not as well developed, if addictions occur, they occur more rapidly and with a greater chance that permanent problems will develop .

Addictions in teens can be treated as a developmental disorder. The difference between teenage alcoholism and adult is that a lot of teens start drinking not out of trying to self-medicate , but also in an attempt to party with their peers . If there is no guidance from their parents, and lack of support, then they do not have the insight and fortitude in order not to become addicted to alcohol. With teens changing physiologically and psychologically, much emotional upset, depression and changes in a teen’s makeup causes them to turn to alcohol also. Teens see their parents or older people having what they perceive is a good time at parties and this example leads them to think it is all right. Teens see this and emulate this type of action due to the fact that it appears that most adults are having a great time while imbibing alcohol.

Research has shown that if a teen starts drinking before the age of 15, he or she is most likely to develop into an alcoholic or have some form of addiction disorder. Alcohol intake can also lead to drug intake, marijuana or cocaine.

Preventative measures in the form of education does not always work due to peer pressure. The best way is to have peers who have either been severely affected by alcoholism and had some sort of tragedy relate their stories to other teens. Lately, preventative measures have gone further than just education and have taken the form of adults, parents, educators, utilizing Alcohawk breathalyzers in order to try to help prevent drinking from occurring at parties, school events, colleges, etc. If you figure that a Breathalyzer could possibly change the course of events in that kids will not partake in drinking or binge drinking, it may save them from a hazardous end-result.

The law does not allow anyone who is 21 and younger to legally drink alcoholic beverages and not only can teenagers be arrested for doing so, but the people providing them with the alcohol can also be penalized . This is a problem that is ongoing but if some measures like educating them, pretesting them with Breathalyzer or even putting pressure on the adults in the situation may help decrease the chance of some teens participating in what could become a serious habit or have a tragedy present itself later in life which would be detrimental.