Over the years, alcohol drinking has had nasty effects on teenagers. The average age of alcohol drinking among teenagers is slowly dropping at a very alarming rate. For teenagers, sneaking alcohol is not a rare occurrence anymore, and it has been studied that 10 percent of 12-year-olds have already tried drinking.
What’s more alarming is that it jumps to 50% for teenagers aged 15. Teenage pregnancy is just one of the bad effects alcohol drinking has brought to society. But did you know there are still many effects of alcohol drinking on teenagers?
This guide will list the bad effects of alcohol drinking on teenagers. If you’re curious about the effects, and understand why most alcohol and restaurant industries require their server to have a license such as the Illinois bartending license, chime in below to learn more.
Emotional and Mental Consequences of Drinking Alcohol in Teens
Sneaking at home to get a sip of alcohol is one of the most popular ways of drinking alcohol, especially for teenagers. Most of the time, these teenagers indulge in these acts to hide their anxiety about what they’re experiencing in life.
In addition, most teenagers drink because of society and how they would want to fit in in this society. In a lot of circumstances, peer pressure and the people surrounding them are the ones who entice them to do such acts. While it’s already given that alcohol consumption can alleviate anxiety, they are also known to increase anxiety after a few hours of alcohol consumption.
How To Spot Signs Of Teenagers Of Alcohol Misuse
Spotting teenagers at an early age is pivotal in their lives. Why? It is because these are the ages that the brain constantly develops. As a result, damage done during these periods can signify permanent damage. Fortunately, there are a few signs that your teenager is drinking alcohol. These include:
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Performing Poorly at School
Failing or having extremely low grades are one of the most obvious telltale signs that your teenager is into drinking alcohol. In addition, if they are constantly being reprimanded at school for uncharacteristic behaviors, you would know your kid is turning out to be what they’re not.
If you are so used to your kid going home early and having good grades, then suddenly they exhibit signs of losing focus or don’t want to attend school anymore, alcohol drinking might be a part of it.
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Goes Home Late at Night
If you are so accustomed to your child going home early or before dinner, and all of a sudden, they are already going home late at night frequently, then there’s a likelihood they are engaging themselves in such activities.
In addition, if they always insist on staying over at a friend’s house, then more likely than not, it can also be a sign of teenage drinking. Why? Because most teenagers want to spend the night away from their homes because they don’t want to be seen intoxicated by their parents or are too drunk to go home.
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Change in Personality
If your sweet baby boy turned into a grown man overnight, Suddenly, you are dealing with an erratic kid who does not want to spend time with you anymore and is often with their friends. Also, if they lose interest in what they like, then it could be a sign of teenage drinking.
For example, if your child loves to play sports and would often go to your neighbor’s and play some ball, it feels like it’s their normal routine, right? But what if suddenly your child doesn’t do his normal routine and is going elsewhere? Then it might be a sign of teenage drinking.
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Change in Their Circle
Most of the time, mommies know who their kid’s friends are. But what if they invited their friends over? And when they arrived, it was not the familiar you were used to. In addition, right before they went to your home, your kid has already shown signs of going home late, doing different kinds of things you’re not accustomed to, or being too secretive, then this is a likelihood of teenage drinking.
In addition, if you try asking them who they are, they easily get irritated. Then there’s a big change. They are doing something that they are not supposed to be doing. For example, if your son is constantly linked up to Victor and Ted, and all of a sudden, he doesn’t talk about them anymore, then it might be a sign that his former friends weren’t up to his new tricks and has found a new friend who perpetuates his new behavior.
Wrapping Things Up
Teenage drinking is a serious issue. While the government is putting stringent teenage drinking rules and regulations, it can’t be helped. At least they require servers in any state, to have a license such as the Illinois bartending license. Over the years, teenagers have found different ways to obtain alcoholic drinks. It requires a valid ID to get a beer, but fake IDs are already rampant.
When you notice signs and symptoms, as mentioned above, it’s better to closely monitor them before everything is hard to deal with. If you spot them earlier, you prevent them from turning out to be what they are not. Education about alcohol drinking at an early age is a must.