AHS Views

I don’t quite understand why more research had to be done on this, but a new study confirms that kids who drink alcohol before the age of 15 are 50% more likely to become dependant on alcohol later in life. The researchers concluded that this adds to the body of research that proves we should focus on preventing kids from drinking if we want to do something to reduce the number of adults and older kids needing alcohol addiction help.

Okay, so let me see … what did we know before this study was done?

1.  Drinking under 21 years of age is illegal. There’s got to be some reason for that. Is it possible that we already knew alcohol and youth don’t mix?

2.  Drinking is an escape. If a kid is already using alcohol to escape and solve life’s problems at age 15, you can pretty much bet he or she is not coping with life very well and it’s logical that they’re like to continue using the same solution as they get older. Especially in light of the fact that alcohol destroys a lot of your brain power - one night of binging (i.e. five drinks at a sitting) impairs abstract thinking for a month. How is someone who’s ability to think and reason has been impaired going to figure out how to solve the problems they’re trying to cope with? If he or she gets addiction help early enough, perhaps their thought process can be improved.

3.  Kids growing up in an environment where alcohol is acceptable and readily available - either in their home or with their friends - are not likely to change environments. In fact, as they get older and go to college they’re going to be right in the thick of it.

Aren’t these factors enough to convince someone that the money being spent on this kind of research would be better spent actually doing something about the problem? You’d think so.

If you’re looking for a way to do something about the problem alcohol is causing in your life, call Addiction Help Services. They’ll help you find more than research.