Teen drinking can increase the likelihood of serious alcohol problems in adulthood. Teens who drink are more likely to experience problems with alcohol later on, including addiction, health problems, and financial difficulties.
If you or a loved one is concerned about teen drinking or adult alcoholism, the alcohol addiction treatment center at The Right Step Houston can help. We offer a variety of programs and services designed to address the unique needs of each client. Call us today at 17135283709 for more information.
Genetic Risks for Alcohol Problems
All human beings have a relatively large number of genes that influence their odds of developing serious health problems related to alcohol use. In fact, more than 2,000 genes have been found to play a role in alcohol use and abuse. Teen drinking can intensify the effects of these genes and make it more likely that a person will develop alcoholism later in life.
Some of the human body’s alcohol-related genes have a more or less direct impact on the chances of developing drinking problems at some point in life. However, some genes only produce their impact through complex interactions with other genes. In addition, the real-world influence of any alcohol-related gene may vary considerably according to a person’s life experiences and environmental risk factors for alcohol problems. This means that genetics does not solely determine whether you will develop such problems now or in the future.
The best way to protect your teen from the risks of alcohol is to talk to them about the dangers of drinking.
Future Risks of Teen Drinking
When a teen drinks, they are putting their future in jeopardy.
Drinking can:
- Interfere with school, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
- It can also lead to problems with the law, as well as financial and relationship difficulties.
Teen drinking doesn’t just affect the present. It also increases the risk of adult alcoholism because:
- Drinking during adolescence can interfere with brain development and lead to problems with learning, memory, and judgment later in life.
- Teens who drink are more likely to develop alcoholism as adults. This is because drinking during adolescence can change the way the brain develops, making it more difficult to control impulses and make good decisions.
Epigenetic Changes
Scientists use the term epigenetic change to refer to anything that alters the delicate timing of gene-based growth and development inside the human brain and body. This form of change is possible because environmental influences can significantly alter the pacing of the chemical events that switch certain genes “on” and “off” at appropriate times as human beings pass through childhood and adolescence on their way to adulthood. Depending on a person’s specific circumstances, an epigenetic change can have a small or large impact on future chances of developing certain physical or mental health problems or of falling into patterns of behavior that increase the chances of experiencing physical or psychological harm.
Impact of Teen Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is defined as the rapid intake of enough alcohol to make a person legally drunk in no more than a couple of hours. Binge drinking as a teen can lead to several problems, including:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Injuries
- Sexual assault
- Unwanted pregnancy
- STDs
- Binge drinking can also lead to long-term problems, such as liver damage and brain damage. If you or someone you know is engaging
Get Treatment Today at The Right Step Houston
Whether you are dealing with teen drinking or adult alcoholism, there is help available. At Right Step Houston, we can help you. We offer:
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Inpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Aftercare programs
Learn more about our programs by using our online form or by calling us at 17135283709 today.
