The Overconsumption of Alcohol

1338 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: negative impacts of alcohol

Alcohol has been around since the earliest depths of recorded history. Man has enjoyed its drunken allure since the age of our ancestors. However, they have enjoyed it a little too much. The overconsumption of alcohol by man alike has caused a great deal of grief for them. The abuse of alcohol impairs one’s judgment and can even lead to the death of the drinker. Especially in America. The overconsumption and abuse of the drinking of alcohol has become a serious and dangerous issue in America, and it not only endangers the consumer but the people around and involved with the consumer as well. Laws concerning the consumption of alcohol in America need to be better enforced by the legal authorities due to the negative consequential effects caused by the illegal alcohol consumption.
The populace that alcohol consumption should be a great concern about is the teenage population of America. Teenagers can be very curious and impressionable. So it’s natural if they want to try the sensation of alcohol for the first time. However, teenagers should not be drinking due to the negative health and psychological effects that will hurt them in the long run.
Teenagers run great risk when they decide to drink unsupervised and undergo binge drinking. The effects can be dangerous and even fatal, but not only for the drinker but for their peers as well. Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under 21 die as a result of underage drinking, including 1900 deaths from vehicle crashes, 1600 from homicides, 300 from suicide, and hundreds more from other miscellaneous injuries such as burns, falls, etc. (“Underage Drinking”, 11) These death rates are quite alarming and should be paid more attention to, yet teenagers still want to run the r...

... middle of paper ...

...

Works Cited
"Alcohol/Drug Related Laws and Penalties - Seton Hall University, New Jersey."Alcohol/Drug Related Laws and Penalties - Seton Hall University, New Jersey. Web. 20 May 2014.
Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne. "Alcohol and Teens: Learn the Effects of Teenage Drinking." MedicineNet. Ed. Melissa C. Stopler. Web. 19 May 2014.
Duffy, Daniel. "State Liquor Laws and Minors." State Liquor Laws and Minors. 22 Oct. 2003. Web. 19 May 2014.
Gottfried, Ted. The Facts about Alcohol. New York: Benchmark, 2005. Print.
Merino, Noël, ed. Underage Drinking. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. Print.
"Psychological and Social Effects of Alcohol Abuse." Counselling Connection RSS. 21 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2014.
Tardiff, Joseph C., ed. Teen Alcoholism. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. Print.
Youngerman, Barry. The Truth about Alcohol. Ed. Mark J. Kittleson. New York: Facts on File, 2005. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Alcohol and Teen Drinking

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Men’s Health, “alcohol kills more teenagers and young people than any of the other drugs taken to affect mood and behavior (heroin, cocaine, marijuana).” This issue interests me due to the many friends I have who drink overwhelmingly. Also, I have so many cousins that are younger than me that I am concerned about with this issue. There are many reasons to why teens may drink, not all of which are reasonable but is the truth, from what I know. Teen drinking can also result in very many mishaps that are mostly a terrible consequence.

    Read More

  • Alcoholism: Recovery Experiences Between Men And Women

    2428 Words  | 5 Pages

    Robinson, David. From Drinking to Alcoholism: A Social Commentary. London: John Wiley and Sons, 1976.

    Read More

  • Underage Drinking Research Paper

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    A lot of the time, teens think it is ‘cool’ to drink because everyone else does it. Almost every television show that young people watch have some underage substance abuse, leading adolescents to believe that it can’t be that bad. While society plays a big part in this huge problem, both teens and parents need to learn that there can be severe consequences from as little as one drink. Allowing them to think this kind of behavior is acceptable will haunt them for the rest of their lives, even if they are not alcohol related. Believing that such behavior is acceptable now will lead them to bad decision-making skills in the future when faced with an ethical decision. Teens need to know the major effects can come from underage drinking before going to that party or when being pressured into something they may not be willing to participate in. It is obvious that the long and short-term effects of alcohol abuse can be easily avoided by getting educated and thinking before engaging in any self-destructive

    Read More

  • Keeping the Drinking Age at 21 and Saving Some Lives

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Underage Drinking: A Major Public Health Challenge -- Alcohol Alert No. 59." Underage Drinking: A Major Public Health Challenge -- Alcohol Alert No. 59. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014. .

    Read More

  • Alcoholism - No Easy Solution

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mike Brake’s “Needed: A License to Drink” is a well-written essay that covers the serious issue of alcoholism and goes on to offer a creative proposal to solve the situation. Brake addresses alcoholism as a “primary public health-problem” which holds merit, considering Brake sites alcohol is the cause of 19,000 auto fatalities each year. To remedy these preventable fatalities, Brake proposes to institute a national system of licensing with appropriate penalties for violators. He goes on to say that these licenses should be issued the same way as driver’s licenses. An applicant would have to read a manual, and take a written exam which would include questions such as “How many drinks would it take to intoxicate a 150lb man?” and “What is the penalty for drunk driving?” After passing the written test applicants would be issued a drinking license that would be required for buying any alcoholic drink.

    Read More

  • The Problems Associated with Underage Drinking

    1121 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kramer, Liz, and Nancy Sprague “Alcohol Abuse and Youth: An Overview.” Points of View: Alcohol Abuse & Youth (2007): 1. Points of View Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.

    Read More

  • Teen Drinking

    985 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article "Alcohol Abuse is a Serious Problem for Teenagers," was written by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The article states, "Nearly four million young people suffer from alcohol dependence," and the average age at which children begin to drink is as early as 13. The article goes on to say that the number of children who experiment with alcohol has been rising steadily over the years. The article points out the unfortunate effects of drinking which range from an array of physical illnesses like liver problems and cancer. From the article we learn that because teenagers tend to indulge in binge drinking, they are at higher risk to suffer the consequences of alcohol consumption. According to the article these consequences include developmental problems like lack of growth, a reduced ability to learn, and to psychological problems like depression and suicidal tendencies. Alcohol abuse in turn leads to social problems which include dropping out of school, robbery, and "risky sexual behavior." We learn that alcohol serves as a "gateway-drug," leading to more addictive drugs like cocaine. The article substantiates this claim by citing a study conducted by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. The article also touches on the problem of alcohol used by parents though the primary focus of this piece is about teenage drinking. The purpose of the article is to jolt readers into an awareness of the magnitude of the problem of teenage drinkiing. Most people know that teenagers like to experiment, try the new and forbidden, but the Center assumes that no one is fully aware of how serious this problem can be if it is not addressed.

    Read More

  • The Consequences And Effects Of Teenage Drunk Driving

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alcoholism comes with many problems and consequences that are dangerous for young teens. In America the average age for a girl’s first drink is thirteen, and for a boy it’s eleven. Young teens that drink are more likely to do with or

    Read More

  • Lowering The Drinking Age Essay

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Overuse of alcohol is becoming a large problem across the United States of America. Drinking is always considered a problem if it is not being done responsibly or in moderation. Teenagers that choose to drink illegally usually drink as much as they can hold; in result, parts of their memory can disappear. Teenagers do not drink in moderation; as a result, they drink much more than they can handle just to be “cool” in front of their friends. Drinking can be a problem in all ages, but the most problems arise in the younger generation. Teenagers drinking are not only harming themselves but also the surrounding lives. Lowering the drinking age would cause a significant increase in school drop-outs and even deaths. Teenagers do not think about how

    Read More

  • The Law On Underage Drinking

    4126 Words  | 9 Pages

    Teenagers are constantly being educated on the seriousness of alcohol and the vast amounts of negative impacts it can have meaning every teenager understands the consequences to do with alcohol, however as we can see it hasn’t stopped underage drinking and I believe this pattern will continue into the future.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Alcoholism

    1676 Words  | 4 Pages

    A majority of American citizens can honestly say that they, or a loved one, have been personally victimized by the dangerous side effects of alcohol. Yet alcohol is still considered a recreational beverage, that too many people take for granted. The addiction to alcohol is officially labelled as “Alcoholism.” Alcoholism can affect one’s life in a numerous amount of ways. It is an overlooked danger in the U.S. which can negatively affect the youth of America and the economy, which is why it is an enormous danger to the U.S.

    Read More

  • Drinking Alcohol

    1104 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many teens think it is cool to drink so they can fit in, some even are pressured to drink and some even drive after drinking which causes more deaths and problems between a family. Teens often do not understand the effects of alcohol on the body and many people do not know how drinking occasionally has a good effect on the body. I truly believe that these problems will still continue as long as our society continues to look at drinking as a solution to their problems with little side effects or as an independent activity and it not being categorized as a drug. We must make an impact to change the attitudes and behavior patterns not only of teens, but the entire society.

    Read More

  • Drinking Age

    1387 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the recent years the legal age to consume or purchase alcohol has been twenty-one. Before the age was changed to twenty-one it was previously eighteen. This law was not changed to upset those who were between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one at the time or to restrict their freedom. The law was put in place for the safety of the people of the United States from the dangers of alcohol at an age believed to be too young to handle the consequenc...

    Read More

  • The Effects and Impact of Alcohol Consumption

    1162 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cook, Philip J., and Michael J. Moore. "Health Affairs." The Economics Of Alcohol Abuse And Alcohol-Control Policies. Health Affairs, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Teen Drinking Problem and Solution Essay

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another way to help teens avert from using alcohol is to make sure that teens are educated in the dangers and consequences of t...

    Read More

More about The Overconsumption of Alcohol

Open Document