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DR. RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA NATIONAL LAW

UNIVERSITY

SOCIOLOGY

FINAL DRAFT ON:

YOUTH ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Dr. Sanjay Singh Nivedita Singh

Associate Professor (SOCIOLOGY) B.A., LL.B (Hons.)

Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia IIIrd semester

National Law University Section – B

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INTRODUCTION

Alcohol use continues to be a major problem from preadolescence through young adulthood.
Results of recent neuroscience research have substantiated the deleterious effects of alcohol on
adolescent brain development and added even more evidence to support the call to prevent and
reduce under aged drinking. Paediatricians should be knowledgeable about substance abuse to be
able to recognize risk factors for alcohol and other substance abuse among youth, screen for use,
provide appropriate brief interventions, and refer to treatment. The integration of alcohol use
prevention programs in the community and our educational system from elementary school
through college should be promoted by paediatricians and the health care community. Promotion
of media responsibility to connect alcohol consumption with realistic consequences should be
supported by paediatricians. Additional research into the prevention, screening and
identification, brief intervention, and management and treatment of alcohol and other substance
use by adolescents continues to be needed to improve evidence-based practices.
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THE SURVEY

I asked 30 students of this college about alcohol and its impact on youth .Their
results were:-

Why do they consume alcohol?

1. Peer pressure

Peer pressure is a powerful force at any stage of life, but it’s especially influential during
adolescence. At a time when kids are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in –
when insecurities can be fierce – the desire to be accepted and liked makes saying “no”
extremely difficult. Saying no can also have painful consequences, ranging from being laughed
at or mildly teased, to being humiliated, rejected, and even bullied.

Peer pressure often comes as the devil in sheep’s clothing. The “cool kid” who says, “Hey, it’s
just weed” or “it’s my dad’s prescription, so of course it’s safe!” Or the popular girl who’s
hosting a party while her parents are out of town, encouraging everyone to “drink up” and just
have fun – after all, who’s going to know if no one tells?

2. To look and feel “grown-up”

Adolescents often want to be treated like adults. “I’m not a kid anymore” is a frequent mantra,
especially when they want privileges that come with age – like using alcohol. It’s no surprise that
they’re drawn to things that make them feel like an adult – older, more mature, more
sophisticated. Drinking, smoking, and drug use can all boost that feeling; “Hey, look at me, I’m
all grown up now.” With those behaviours comes the illusion that one is truly mature – and thus
can handle anything. Sadly, one bad incident can quickly shatter it and remind them just how
young and vulnerable they still are. But until such an event, they naively believe that “bad
things” happen only to “other kids.” They overestimate their maturity and underestimate their
vulnerability.

3. Modelling parents’ behaviour

Teens that grow up with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs often follow suit. After all, that’s
what they know and what they’ve learned. Not to mention, if one or both parents are actively
using they often have easy access as well. Not only does the apple often not fall far from the tree,
kids often mimic their parents’ behaviours – both good and bad.
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Granted, some kids will do the very opposite and shun all substances, wanting to avoid the very
thing that ruined their parents’ lives or led to traumatic childhood experiences, such as abuse or
neglect.

4. Curiosity

Curiosity not only “killed the cat,” it also can be a very seductive temptress. The desire to try
new things and explore the world didn’t suddenly shut off when puberty commenced. In fact, it
often becomes even stronger. Most teens have a lot more autonomy (and some have way too
much) than they did as children. They’re less closely supervised and often left home alone for
chunks of time while mom and dad are still at work or out for the evening.

The desire to find out what it feels like to get drunk or high – “just this once,” of course – can be
very strong. Not to mention, “Everybody experiments – don’t they?” can be a very compelling
rationale. Unfortunately, far too many kids end up in alcohol or drug rehab treatment down the
road due to some ill-fated need to satisfy their curiosity.

5. Boredom

It’s been said that “idle hands are the devil’s tools” – and similarly, that an “idle mind is the
devil’s playground.” In other words, boredom can quickly get anyone – and especially a restless
teen – into all sorts of trouble. It’s even worse for teens that have bored friends. Passing the time
with a few beers or a few hits with friends (or even alone) is often a slippery slope to addiction.

6. Self-medication

Teens who struggle with a lot of emotional pain are especially vulnerable to alcohol and drug
abuse. They use these substances – just like many adults – as a way to self-medicate. They know
that getting high or getting drunk will, at least temporarily, numb or ease their pain and provide
them with a means of escape. These substances can also appear to ease the problem. For
example, a socially awkward or extremely shy teen may use alcohol in a desperate attempt to
feel more comfortable around others. A teen living in a conflicted home environment may resort
to drugs to shut out the world for a while – or at least make it feel a little more bearable.

7. Rebellion

Teens like to assert their budding maturity and test the limits with their parents. Those with
nagging, overprotective, or strict parents often lash out in a passive-aggressive manner. Rather
than talking to mom and dad about their frustrations, such as what they perceive as overly strict
rules, religious hypocrisy, or constant nagging, they may rebel by using alcohol or drugs —
especially if they know that doing so will make their parents angry or embarrassed.
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8. Ignorance

Let’s face it; most teens don’t know what’s good for them and what’s not. Not because they’re
not bright, but because they simply don’t have enough information or experience. Experimenting
with alcohol or drugs often seems innocent enough– in fact, it’s often regarded as a sort of
adolescent “rite of passage.” Many teens feel entitled to experiment at this age, as if they’re
expected to do so and therefore should do so. What many don’t realize is that it’s neither
innocent nor harmless.

For those on the outside looking in, it seems like everyone who’s “doing it” is having fun, and
they’re the ones who are missing out. What they don’t yet see (and haven’t yet learned to
minimize or rationalize) is all the vomiting after drinking too much, the hangover the next
morning, or the sickening “what have I done?” morning-after feeling when they’ve just woken
up in a strange place or realized that the needle they used was dirty. Even worse is finding
themselves in a jail cell or mourning the death of a friend who drove home drunk? The bliss of
ignorance can be quickly shattered.

9. To have fun

Getting drunk or high with friends sounds fun — in the moment. What isn’t fun about spending
time with friends, sharing an intensely pleasurable drug-induced euphoria or the disinheriting
effects of alcohol? The silliness, the slurred words, the stumbling, the bizarre behaviour – all of
those things can be very entertaining and make for great stories the next day or down the road.
Of course, it’s all just good old teenage fun – until someone is seriously injured, has to face a
judge, or winds up on a cold slab in a morgue.

10. They’ve become addicted

Teens don’t use alcohol or drugs with the intent of becoming addicted. In fact, since part of
adolescence is the still-intact belief that you’re invincible. “Addiction? What’s that? Only losers
who use or drink excessively or for years become addicted, right? But not me – I’m just
experimenting, having fun with my friends, or seeking a temporary escape from my crappy life.”
Oh, to be 15 again – and believe that becoming an addict is something that could never happen to
you.
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EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Health risks due to alcohol consumption

There is no doubt that drinking alcohol causes major health problems and increases the risk
of various diseases.
Problems with liver: When you drink alcohol, the liver gets diverted from its other
functions and focuses mainly on converting alcohol to a less toxic form. Absorption of
alcohol by the liver causes fatty liver disease, inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis.
Here’s why alcohol is bad for your liver.
Disturbance in sleep pattern: Most people drink alcohol to fall asleep. However, research
studies suggest that drinking before sleep interferes with the body’s ability to regulate
sleep naturally (sleep homeostasis). If you continue doing so, over time the quality of sleep
is diminished and it might lead to insomnia.
Affects sexual life: Long-term consumption of alcohol might affect your sexual health.
Alcohol not only inhibits parts of the nervous system that play a key role in sexual arousal
but also inhibits the flow of blood to the genitals. Read about foods that are bad for your
sex life.
Interference with calcium absorption: As liver function is impaired in alcoholics, the
synthesis of vitamin D in the body is also affected. Apart from this, the absorption of
calcium by the body is affected. In the long run, this might result in osteoporosis as
estrogen and testosterone levels also affected due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Increased risk of lung ailments: Excess consumption of alcohol is known to cause Acute
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening lung disease. It causes buildup
of fluid inside the air sacs, thereby preventing oxygen from passing into the bloodstream.
The condition worsens as you drink, which may lead to long-term lung complications.
Impaired kidney function: The electrolyte balance of the body and hormones that
influence the kidney function are disturbed due to excess consumption of alcohol. The long
term effects of alcohol on kidney include increased risk of suffering from kidney failure
and kidney stones.
Increases risk of cancer: Excessive drinking of alcohol increases the risk of various types
of cancers, mouth, liver, esophagus and breast. This is because; the body conv erts alcohol
into a potent carcinogen, acetaldehyde, thereby increasing the risk of cancer in alcoholics.
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Causes mental health issues: It is a known fact that heavy drinking leads to various
mental health issues such as depression and dementia. Excess consumption of alcohol
speeds up the shrinkage of the brain (which usually occurs as you age) and interferes with
your brain’s ability to distinguish between judgments, solve problems and plan things.
High risk of birth defects (in pregnant women): Pregnant women who do binge drinking
face a risk of birth defects known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) that leads to growth
retardation, head and face abnormalities and neurological problems Apart from
this, alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, stillbirth
and miscarriage.
Makes you fat: Have you ever thought the booze might cause you to gain weight, along
with interfering in your weight loss goals. Alcohol has more calories than you think, it
stimulates your appetite, triggers greater craving for calorie-rich foods the next day and
stops using carbohydrates as an energy source. You may like to know the calorie count of
your favorite alcoholic drinks.
Social ill-effects of drinking alcohol
A glass or two of alcohol is a sign of celebration and common at social gatherings and
parties. However, alcohol consumption is found to interfere with your social and personal
lives. This includes affecting your mental health, increasing your risk of injuries and being
sexually abused.
Causes drastic mood swings: We all know that excessive consumption of alcohol affects
the brain and parts of the nervous system that control your behavior. This causes erratic
mood swings such as happiness, sadness or anger, which might lead to severe
consequences, such as trashing someone, arguing with people (even if you are wrong) and
many more problems in day-to-day life.
Associated with domestic violence: In India, cases of drunk people beating their partners
and children, abusing parents and creating ruckus in the society is quite common. This is
because, as you get drunk, the ability to distinguish between good and bad is lost, you get
into a state of unconsciousness.
Might lead to accidents: Although, we might find placards of ‘don’t drink and drive’ or
‘drive safely’ on roads, there has been an increase in the number of road accidents caused
due to alcohol drinking. You might escape with a small injury or live with a disability for
the rest of your life; chances of sudden death are not bleak!
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CONCLUSION

Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity. While it carries connotations of pleasure and sociability
in the minds of many, harmful consequences of its use are diverse and widespread
From a global perspective, in order to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, policies need to take
into account specific situations in different societies. Average volumes consumed and patterns of
drinking are two dimensions of alcohol consumption that need to be considered in efforts to
reduce the burden of alcohol-related problems. Avoiding the combination of drinking and
driving is an example of measures that can reduce the health burden of alcohol.
Worldwide, alcohol takes an enormous toll on lives and communities, especially in developing
countries and its contribution to the overall burden of disease is expected to increase in the
future. Particularly worrying trends are the increases in the average amount of alcohol consumed
per person in countries such as China and India and the more harmful and risky drinking patterns
among young people.
National monitoring systems need to be developed to keep track of alcohol consumption and its
consequences, and to raise awareness amongst the public and policy-makers. It is up to both
governments and concerned citizens to encourage debate and formulate effective public health
policies that minimize the harm caused by alcohol