Alcohol Abuse in Underage Persons (Essay Sample)

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Alcohol Abuse in Underage Persons
Introduction
The legal age of drinking varies in various countries with 21 years and 18 years being the upper limits (CDC, 2014). Underage drinking, therefore, refers to people below that age, gaining access to alcohol and engaging in the habit. Alcohol abuse in children and teenagers is a major problem in the society with an approximated total of 11% in the United States only (CDC, 2014). Substance abuse is as a result of behavioral changes that even involve changes in brain physiology to cause addiction. Alcohol abuse among underage persons has been associated with serious injuries, liver diseases, and even fatalities. In a study by the CDC (2014), in 2010 reported alcohol related injuries in underage persons were approximated at 189, 000. Identifying causes and risk factors Is a major step towards preventing alcohol abuse in underage persons. Drinking in underage persons has health implications, social, and economic impacts and therefore, measures should be establish to stop to the habit.
Causes and Risk Factors that predispose underage persons to abuse alcohol
Environmental causes
The environmental factors play a role in creating conditions that increase the risk of underage persons engaging in alcohol. One of the predisposing factors is ease of accessibility. Reports by CDC (2014), show that alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs in children and adults with 39% having taken some alcohol, 22 % engaging in binge drinking, and 8% operating motor cars under the influence. Ease in accessibility increases the exposure of the children to alcohol, which in turn increase the risk of alcohol abuse. Ease in accessibility is due to slacking policy when it comes to age restrictions when selling alcoholic beverages to people. Parents and adults in the house also contribute to alcohol abuse in children and teenagers by exposing them to the behavior and by leaving drinks in the open.
Social Factors
The social surroundings and social habits influence the risk of underage persons engaging in alcohol abuse. For example, children growing up in urban areas where alcohol taking is a widely practiced social practice will most likely engage in alcohol taking. The peer that a child adopts also contributes to behavioral changes. The risk factors of taking alcohol are increased in a child who keeps friends who abuse alcohol. They engage in alcohol abuse as they want to fit with their friends. Social media tools also play a major role in causing underage drinking (CDC, 2014). Children have unlimited and unrestricted access to social media which can change their lives. Children and teenagers tend to emulate the people they idolize and they even adopt the habits they observe. An example is idolizing musicians and other celebrity figures who engage in alcohol abuse. Advertisements on alcoholic beverages are also appealing to the young people and this serves to draw them to alcohol taking habits.
Stress Factors
Stress factors affect the emotional states of children and teenagers increasing their risk of engaging in alcohol abuse. Maltreatment at home has been shown to be a major contributing factor to underage drinking. Youths also engage in alcohol abuse to enhance their performance and gain confidence. Economic stress factors also play a role in predisposing children to alcohol abuse behaviors (CDC, 2014). Stress factors play a role in enhancing the risks of children engaging in alcohol abuse.
Impacts of Alcohol Abuse in Underage Persons
Addiction is the biggest problem that is encountered by children engaging in alcohol abuse (CDC, 2014). Addiction leads to chronic use of alcohol, even well into their adulthood. Chronic use of alcohol is responsible for observed physical health and mental health deterioration incidences. Health problems encountered include associated liver diseases and increased risk of gout (CDC, 2014). Chronic intake of alcohol abuse affects the brain development of children, affecting their logic capabilities. Therefore, the affected children will engage in risky behaviors that further endanger their lives.
Solutions
Alcohol abuse in children is a major problem in the society that begs for immediate attention (CDC, 2014). Efforts to curb the habit include enacting policies and increasing prices of alcoholic beverages. Raising the awareness is the community serves to educate people about the negative effect of taking alcohol. Community centered efforts play a role in preventing alcohol abuse in young people. This is through combined supervision and limiting access of alcohol to the children. Building of low cost rehabilitating centers to treat children and other individuals will help lower the incidences of alcohol addiction.
Conclusion
Alcohol abuse in young children and teenagers is on the increase. Chronic abuse of alcohol enhances the risks of forming addiction and dependence. Alcohol abuse poses health and mental problems to the users. Therefore, alcohol abuse in children has led to the rise of alcohol related diseases in young people and even fatalities. The society also suffers from decreased productivity due to evolving behavioral changes such as addiction and high crime rates. Prevention of alcohol abuse among children is paramount to maintaining a sustainable society. Measures undertaken include raising alcohol prices, enacting policies, and building of rehabilitation centers.
Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Alcohol and Public Health- Fact Sheet.” Atlanta, 2014. HYPERLINK "/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm"/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm

List of References to be used
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Alcohol and Public Health- Fact Sheet.” Atlanta, 2014. HYPERLINK "/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm"/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
Fagan, Abigail A., J. David Hawkins, and Richard F. Catalano. "Engaging communities to prevent underage drinking." Alcohol Research & Health 34.2 (2011): 167.
Fischer, Peter, et al. "The effects of risk-glorifying media exposure on risk-positive cognitions, emotions, and behaviors:...