Information Brochure for Teachers

Question: Discuss about theInformation Brochure for Teachers. Answer: Teenagers and Alcohol Use Alcohol consumption among the teens is increasingly becoming a problem not only in the western countries but also among the Africans and Asians. Hence, it is becoming a problem of endemic magnitude. Alcohol use is a choice one make as an adult but has various detrimental effects which include; loss of productivity, irresponsible driving, emotional and physical disability as well as reckless behaviors (Wilks, 2012). In additional, it is one of the leading causes of criminal behaviors among youths. The objective of this brochure is to identify alcohol use as one of the risks facing teenagers and seek to assist those already in the risk. Though alcohol consumption has severe problems to both old and young, society has always sent confusing signals to its teens. Media always portrays beer use among the peers as a virtue and a compulsory habit to safeguard friendship and good memories. Also, wine is manifested a romantic and privileged beverage, which is consumed in the ultimate luxury of expensive dcor, dim lights, and soft music. Spirits and hard drinks are unveiled as the ideal drink to be enjoyed in the company of the opposite sex (Pettigrew, 2015). The majority of people enjoys, laughs, and joke about alcohol abuse. Thus, alcohol use and abuse is unveiled as a socially accepted routine hence sending confusing ideas about alcohol to the teens and children. Interestingly, school curriculum teaches on the responsible use of alcohol but never of other substances such as heroin, marijuana, or cocaine. Society thus manifests its confusion on what its teens are to be taught on drugs. Facts about Alcohol Alcohol use among the teenager has many potential risks because the mind and the body of the teenager are still in the developing process hence very prone to the instant effects of alcohol use. Prior to discussing the risks associated with alcohol use the brochure will at first clarify some facts about alcohol and why teenagers use it (Brown Spirito, 2015). What is alcohol? Alcohol is understood as a drug that is absorbed into the bloodstreams from the stomach. Why is it referred as a drug? Because a drug is any substance when consumed alters the way the body functions under normal circumstances. What does alcohol affect in the body? Alcohol alters the functions of the central nervous system. Hence, affecting how one breaths, think, feels, and judge as well as behave. Is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant kind of a drug? Alcohol is a depressant because the more one drinks; one becomes drowsy as well as emotional. However, the majority of people confuse alcohol to be a stimulant drug due to the excitable attitude it evokes. Which are the different forms of alcohol? Alcohol is mainly in six different forms; that is, in the form of, cider, beer, wine, alcopops, spirits, and liqueur (Rundle-Thiele Dietrich, 2013). How Alcohol does affect those who drink? The effects of alcohol differ on different users because its effect depends on factors such as; what is drunk?, Who is drinking?, and the situation in which the drinking is taking place (Monti Tevyaw, 2012). How long does the effect of alcohol last? The effect of alcohol use is felt after seven to ten minutes after use and can last for hours depending on the amount consumed. From whom do teenagers learn to use Alcohol? Teens become aware of alcohol since infancy through various channels such as; their families, their society, television, and advertising. Research on alcohol and drug use has further indicated that, by the time one is five years of age he/she already has a formed attitude towards alcohol. Similarly, teens acquire an awareness of alcohol through, observation when in the family and with friends and through own experiences (McCreanor Hutton, 2013). Why does Teenager use Alcohol? Teenager may use alcohol for various reasons which include; To celebrate a special occasion such as a graduation, birthday, or exam results. To earn a rebel. To fight boredom. To feel order. To be accepted in a group and have an identity. To release stress may be after exam period or relationship break-up. To feel confident. To adjust to hard situations, or cope with rejection or issues of self-esteem or to relax. What are the Risks of Alcohol use Among the Teenager? Alcohol has numerous effects on teenagers and includes (Chisolm Marshal, 2014): Poor grades in school, alcohol affect memory thus teenager who uses alcohol have a short memory. Thus, they have difficulty in remembering what they have learned. Hangover is a consequence of alcohol poisoning. As a result one become dehydrated hence, suffer from a headache, and a feeling of sickness. Immoral behaviors and unsafe sex. Alcohol use leads to the poor judgment which leads teen to unsafe sex hence crisis of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Development of mental health problems and Anti-social behaviors. Constant and heavy drinking leads to brain damage thus resulting in mental problems and anti-social behaviors. Premature deaths. Alcohol contributes to road accidents, violence, and suicide tendencies hence risking the life of teenagers. How does one Assist a Teenager who is using Alcohol? One may request the Teenager not to drink and advice him/her to read on the risks of alcohol use. One may suggest they opt for non-alcoholic drinks. As a parent, one must set rules that control the teen's movement. Advice a drinking teen never to drink and drive. As a parent, one must be patient with a drinking teen and contemplate sending him/her to a rehabilitation center. Assist the Teen to develop other hobbies and interest apart from drinking. Show them love and care a parent and wait till they are sober to discuss their drinking habit. In the case of danger when the teen is drunk call for an ambulance and accompany them to the hospital (Pape Storvoll, 2015). In conclusion, it important to note that it is against the law for a teenager below the age of eighteen years buy and drink alcohol either in public or in private. Furthermore, it is a crime for a teenager to pretend to be over eighteen years with the intention of buying alcohol. Similarly, it is a criminal offense for an adult to alcoholic drinks to teenager. References Brown, L., Lobato, D., Barrett, R., Freeman, J., Horowitz, K., Hunt, J., ... Spirito, A. (2015). Drinking in teens. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter. Chisolm, D. J., Manganello, J. A., Kelleher, K. J., Marshal, M. P. (2014). Healthliteracy, alcohol expectancies, and alcohol use behaviors in teens. Patient education and counseling, 97(2), 291-296. McCreanor, T., Lyons, A., Griffin, C., Goodwin, I., Moewaka Barnes, H., Hutton, F. (2013). Youth drinking cultures, social networking and alcohol marketing: Implications for public health. Critical public health, 23(1), 110-120. Monti, P. M., Colby, S. M., Tevyaw, T. A. L. (Eds.). (2012). Adolescents, alcohol, andsubstance abuse: Reaching teens through brief interventions. Guilford Press. Pape, H., Rossow, I., Storvoll, E. E. (2015). Is drinking with parents associated with high-risk drinking among adolescents?. European addiction research, 21(6), 291-299. Pettigrew, S., Biagioni, N., Jones, S. C., Daube, M., Kirby, G., Stafford, J., Chikritzhs,(2015). Sales promotion strategies and youth drinking in Australia. Social Science Medicine, 141, 115-122. Rundle-Thiele, S., Russell-Bennett, R., Leo, C., Dietrich, T. (2013). Moderating teendrinking: combining social marketing and education. Health Education, 113(5), 392-406. Wilks, J. (2012). Drinking among teenagers in Australia: research findings, problems and prospects. Australian Drug and Alcohol Review, 6(3), 207-226.