Effects of Alcohol Addiction among SHS Students

INTRODUCTION
Alcohol is the most frequently used drug by teenagers in the United
States. Significant statistics regarding alcohol use in teens include that
about half of junior high and senior high school students drink alcohol
on a monthly basis, and 14% of teens have been intoxicated at least
once in the past year. Nearly 8% of teens who drink say they drink at
least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row (Roxanne Edwards, 2018).
Alcohol addiction refers to a psychological and physical dependency on alcohol.
Symptoms include decreased involvement in extracurricular activities, depression, restlessness,
inability to control drinking and violent behavior (CNS Cluster Addiction Drug Development
Pipeline Review, 2017).
Alcoholism can be defined by a compulsion to seek and take drug, loss of control in
limiting intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when access to the drug is
prevented. Alcoholism impacts multiple motivational mechanisms and can be conceptualized as a
disorder that includes a progression from impulsivity (positive reinforcement) to compulsivity or
negative reinforcement (Koob G.F. 2011).

Alcoholism, now diagnostically known as alcohol use disorder, is a substance-use disorder

in which the sufferer has problems managing how much and how frequently they drink alcohol
and its negative effects on their lives as a result (Roxanne Edwards a MD, 2018).

An alcoholic drink, or alcoholic beverage, is a drink that contains a substantial amount of

ethanol (informally called alcohol), a depressant which in low doses causes euphoria, reduced
anxiety, and sociability and in higher doses causes intoxication (drunkenness), stupor and
unconsciousness. Long-term use can lead to alcohol abuse, physical dependence, and alcoholism
(Wikpedia, 2019).

Alcohol makes social responses more extreme, enhances important self-evaluations, and
relieves anxiety and depression, effects that underlie both the social destructiveness of alcohol and
the reinforcing effects that make it an addictive substance (Steele, C. M., & Josephs, R. A. in 1990).

Alcoholism treatment depends on the stage of the addiction, ranging from management of risk
factors and education to intensive residential treatment followed by long-term outpatient care and
support (MedicineNet, 2018).

Alcohol decreases teens' ability to pay attention.Teens who have experienced alcohol
withdrawal tend to have difficulties with memory.The teenage brain exposed to alcohol is at risk for
being smaller in certain parts.In contrast to adults, teens tend to abuse alcohol with other substances,
usually marijuana (Roxanne Edwards, 2018).

Teens who drink are more likely to engage in sexual activity, have unprotected
sex, have sex with a stranger, or be the victim or perpetrator of a sexual
assault.Excess alcohol use can cause or mask other emotional problems, like anxiety
or depression.Drinking in excess can lead to the use of other drugs, like marijuana,
cocaine, or heroin (Roxanne Edwards, 2018).

Effect is a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause

(Lexico.com, 2019).

Senior high school is a secondary school that students attend in the three or four highest
grades before college (LoveToKnow Corp, 2018).
Student is someone who is learning at a school, or in any teaching environment
(YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 July 2019).
Addiction is an obsessive need for a habit forming substance or activity (YourDictionary,
n.d. Web. 17 July 2019).
Alcohol is a liquor that contains ethanol and has the potential to intoxicate drinkers, and
it can be burned as fuel (YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 July 2019).
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Addiction: Alcohol Addiction as a Reward Deficit Disorder. In: Sommer W., Spanagel
R. (eds) Behavioral Neurobiology of Alcohol Addiction. Current Topics in Behavioral
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3. Wikipedia
4. Steele, C. M., & Josephs, R. A. (1990). Alcohol myopia: Its prized and dangerous
effects. American Psychologist, 45(8), 921-933.

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