There has been some interesting media attention to various alcohol related issues of late. First, there is a report that people who become dependent on alcohol early in life have more severe battles with the substance and are less likely to ever seek treatment. This makes the fact that alcohol companies persist in marketing toward adolescents all the more troubling.
“Early onset of drinking predicts early onset of dependence, which in turn is associated with chronic, relapsing dependence,” says Dr. Hingson. “Screening and brief motivational counseling can reduce alcohol-related problems among adolescents and college students who are heavy drinkers and needs to be expanded.”
A more optimistic conclusion was made in a study that found that alcohol related loss of cognitive/motor functions may actually be recoverable. For those unaware, years of alcohol abuse can essentially lead to brain damage and debilitation of various cognitive skills. Most previous research concluded that once this process began, recovery was unlikely. Unfortunately, those who are alcoholics that have children may have a profound negative impact on their lives psychologically, often due to domestic violence and abuse.
Finally, a story appeared about adolescents in rural areas having high rates of alcohol abuse due to boredom. In the current era, applied psychology fields are very concerned with issues of diversity and culture, yet one facet of this that is often overlooked is area of upbringing, since there can be stark differences in the experiences people have in urban, suburban, and rural areas. This is another example of a difference that has important implications for mental health of rural residents.
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4 Comments to
“Wave of Alcohol Stories”
To be fair, it’s hard to see how alcohol companies could possibly advertise to young adults without ‘hitting’ some teens in the process.
Once again,we as a culture blame the messenger for the content of the message,or the resulting actions on something other than where it belongs.Personal responsibility is taboo in our society.
Chicken and egg. Where does personal responsibility start?
I don’t drink, and I don’t promote alcohol to anybody. What about you?
I remember an anti-smoking ad that showed old people smoking, and said “This generation smokes.”
Then middle age, same thing.
Young adults, same thing.
Then children in a playground: “This generation doesn’t smoke yet, and if everyone else quit, they never will.”
This obviously applies to alcohol as well.
Personal behavior is political, and impacts others.
i think instead of trying to prove that were not at fault we should take responsibility and make sure teens arent affected or talk to the about the effects.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 6 Sep 2006
