Alcohol abuse is a maladaptive behavior of excessive alcohol consumption despite of having the knowledge of the recurrent social problems, and physiological and psychological health consequences of alcohol intake.
Alcohol abuse within the family can endanger the physical and mental health of teenagers. Teenagers will have the tendency to drink alcohol in an early age that could develop to alcohol dependence—alcoholism—is a condition in which a person is already dependent on alcohol. They are also at a high risk of being abused and neglected, which could affect their social and mental health. Teenage abuse can cause anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal tendencies. Alcohol abuse can cause economic hardships that could affect a teenagers health and future life.

Alcohol abuse is the behavior of consuming alcohol in excessive amounts. Alcohol abuse in the family can contributes to underage drinking due to neglect and abuse. In addition, teenage abuse caused by drinking alcohol, contributes to a high risk of developing mental health and physical problems.

Alcohol abuse is the maladaptive behavior of constant excessive drinking of alcohol regardless of the person’s awareness of its social, physiological and psychological health risks. On the other hand, alcohol dependence or alcoholism is the physiological and psychological dependence of a person on alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol abuse is the use of alcohol in high concentrations, while alcoholism is the dependence of a person on alcohol.

Teenagers, who experienced emotional and psychological trauma due to being neglected, economic hardships, physical and sexual abuses, have the tendency to begin alcohol consumption in an early age. And continuously drinking alcohol can increase the risk of having alcohol dependence or alcoholism in adulthood, because a regular routine of drinking alcohol over a long period of time will make the body dependent to alcohol.

Teenagers are going to be at risk of alcohol dependence, when they continuously consumed alcohol from an early age until they reach adulthood. Their body will get used to the presence of alcohol in the system causing dependence to that substance.

Purchasing, possession and consuming of alcohol is prohibited for anyone who is under the age of 21, however, there are instances where minors have the chance for alcohol consumption. There are various possible consequences of poor decisions made while under the influence of alcohol. Some of the teenagers who are under the influence of alcohol tend to break the law, such as drunk driving, which can result to dangerous accidents that could cause death.

Consumption of alcohol within groups of people can exacerbate the possibility of having misunderstandings that could lead to violence. Teenagers can also be victims and perpetrators of violent crimes—including assault and robbery.

Drinking also affects the decision-making capabilities of a person, especially with regards contracting STD because of a person’s impaired judgment when drunk. And lastly, suspension or expulsion of students is being implemented when caught drinking alcohol in school property.

The possible consequences of poor decisions made while under the influence of alcohol are involvement in accidents causing physical injuries and death, experiencing violent crimes, contracting STD and suspension or expulsion from school.

Living alcohol-free prevents a person from having detrimental health consequences in the future. The benefits of being alcohol-free are being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, build a healthy relationship with others, improved decision-making capabilities, avoid illegal activities and violence, and achieve your life goals. Being alcohol-free decreases the possibility of having physical and psychological problems, this will provide a stress-free and healthy life. And it allows an individual to prevent destructive behaviors and make decision that would benefit their health and goals in life. In order for teenagers to stay alcohol-free, they should avoid social gatherings and parties that encourage them to drink alcohol. They have to practice their refusal skills and be confident when refusing in pressured situations, in order to successfully avoid drinking alcohol. In addition, they could plan alcohol-free activities with their friends.

Teens can stay alcohol-free by refusing alcohol use, avoiding social gatherings that would encourage them to drink alcohol, and planning fun, but alcohol-free activities with their friends.

As soon as you arrived at a party, you heard the loud volume of music. And you have decided to look for your friends on the pool side. As you search for your squad, a friend of yours approached you while holding two cups of alcoholic drink.
Friend: Hey, bro! You came! Here you go. (gives you a cup of liquor)
You: Thanks, bro. But I don’t want to drink right now.
Friend: No, bro! You have to. We have to be wasted tonight!
You: Sorry, bro. I really can’t. I don’t really like the taste of alcohol.
Friend: You are such a party-pooper! Just one drink.
You: Bro, I already told you. I don’t want to drink tonight. I’m sorry, but I have to go.

Refusal skills to stay alcohol-free

During a summer afternoon, a parent is driving his daughter, a freshman student, going to the dorm at the (name of the university). His daughter is going to stay and move her things into the dorm before the school year starts, in order to have enough time to adjust in her environment. As the parent helps his daughter unpack her things in the room, he discussed a lot of things with her. He told his daughter that he supports her in everything that she does in life, however, he asked his daughter to maintain being alcohol-free and be assertive in refusing negative peer pressure. His daughter agreed, she told him that she will definitely stay alcohol-free because she is aware of the possible consequences of being under the influence of alcohol. She told her father that he does not need to worry about her because she knows the health risks of alcohol consumption and she wouldn’t compromise her life just to experience it. She also told her father the other reasons why she is planning to live alcohol-free, and these include the possibility of having impaired judgment that could lead to wrong decisions in life, being arrested and sentenced to a youth detention center due to alcohol consumption, the high risk of being involve in violent crimes, and suspension or expulsion from the university when proven that the student is drinking alcohol in school property.

Scenario between a teen and a parent