Young adults are still growing up as people. In fact, their minds and bodies are still evolving even though they are adults. Alcohol abuse can interfere with this crucial development, making young adults and alcohol an extremely dangerous cocktail. Whether they start drinking casually or are already at the point of binge drinking, young people are vulnerable to the long-term damage that can be caused by the consumption of alcohol.
Reach out to us online or call 833.551.2304 today to learn how our alcohol addiction treatment program and team of professionals can help them heal, and help you get your child back.
The Dangers of Young Adults and Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse and binge drinking in young adults can have a multitude of hazards that may impact teens in their youth as well as alter their promising future. Some of the damage that’s possible when young adults and alcohol are mixed can include:
- Mouth and throat cancer
- Sexual and relationship issues
- Mental health problems, including depression and suicidal ideation
- Liver cirrhosis
- Heart disease
- Brain development issues
- Death
Because young adults are often not concerned with their far-away future, how their life might turn out, or how their body may function as full-fledged adults, they might think that any damage to their health caused by binge drinking isn’t worth worrying about today. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of people in their 20s dying from liver disease as a result of drinking heavily as young adults.
The Effects of Young Adults and Alcohol
When a young person begins to drink, it’s usually a social and ‘fun’ experience, shared with friends who are also experimenting with boundaries, but things can get dangerous quickly. From changes in behavior to accidents, and even untimely death, there are many effects of alcohol abuse:
Risky Behavior
Drinking alcohol will lower anyone’s inhibitions and make them more likely to do things that they would not normally do. Young adults are even more at risk because they are still testing the limits of what is considered acceptable behavior in their family and society at large. They are less likely to be able to handle the impact of alcohol on their mind, body, and decision-making. To that point, 20% of girls and 10% of boys aged 14 to 15 report going further than they wanted during a sexual experience after drinking alcohol. When you combine young adults and alcohol, both girls and boys could end up becoming victims of sexual assault.
Unsafe Sex and Unwanted Pregnancy
When alcohol is involved, kids are more likely to be careless and not use protection during sex. Almost one in 10 boys and around one in eight teenage girls have unsafe sex after drinking alcohol, putting both parties at risk of disease and an unwanted pregnancy.
Antisocial Behavior
Alcohol impacts the way people think and the decisions they make. Alcohol abuse can lead young adults toward risky and antisocial behavior that could include:
- Scaling dangerous heights
- Becoming violent
- Self-isolation
- Aggression
- Stealing
- Damaging property
Trouble with the Law
In the event your young adult develops an alcohol abuse problem or they start binge drinking, they could be more likely to get into trouble with the police. The last thing you and your teenager want is a record as a result of theft, or causing harm to others, themselves, or public property. If things are getting out of hand with your young adult and alcohol, contact us today to discover how our professional and compassionate alcohol addiction treatment program can help. Having a criminal record may ultimately prevent them from getting certain jobs, being approved for residence, loans, and in some cases, from traveling freely.
Failing at School
It takes longer for alcohol to get out of a young person’s system than it does in grown-ups. This means that should young adults drink alcohol on a night before school, they will more than likely struggle with the lessons and tests the next day. Young adults who regularly drink alcohol are twice as likely to miss school and get poor grades. That means alcohol is harming their mind and body. It also means that their potential is being stunted as a result of alcohol abuse.
Learn More at Gulf Breeze Recovery
Learn how the alcohol addiction prevention program at Gulf Breeze Recovery can be the first step in a promising future for the young adult in your life. Contact us using our secure online form or call us confidentially at 833.551.2304 today.
