The Need to Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Excessive drinking kills nearly 90,000 Americans each year, and there are significant short and long-term health risks associated with heavy drinking. Common health risks include a weakened immune system, risky behavior, and chronic illnesses: high blood pressure, cirrhosis, and mental problems. In Long Island, drug and alcohol abuse was the top health concern in a 2018 survey by the Long Island Health Collaborative (2019). Especially dangerous is excessive alcohol consumption in adolescence: the teenage body gets used to alcohol several times faster than the established adult. The destruction occurs much faster than in an adult: since in adolescents, the permeability of the walls of blood vessels is increased, and the liver is not as developed as in an adult. Under the influence of alcoholic beverages, fatty degeneration of liver cells occurs. Unfortunately, many young men and women, having started drinking alcohol at an early age, can no longer stop, leading to a fatal disease – cirrhosis of the liver. When drinking alcohol, a teenager may turn to dangerous behavior, which leads to mental disorders. At the same time, heart disorders begin to develop, and problems with blood pressure appear (FreeMedEducation, 2020). In addition, alcohol consumption in adolescence is associated with a high risk of developing suicidal tendencies, unwanted pregnancy, and drug use.
Suggested Plan
Through the help of New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the various programs on Long Island, community members have greater access to education, prevention, and treatment related to alcohol misuse. It is necessary to expand these programs by supplementing them with new means. The most effective method of combating teenage alcoholism is preventive measures. These should include family, school, and college conversations about the dangers of alcohol addiction. However, talking is often not enough, so the next step should be the work of psychologists in educational institutions to identify addicted adolescents, or adolescents prone to addiction. The task of the psychologist should be to establish a trusting relationship with teenagers so that they do not experience fear and shame when talking about their problem. Further, significant work will be required with adolescents already involved in alcohol addiction: psychological conversations, work with the family. As an additional measure, it is necessary to create free leisure centers for teenagers that will be more interesting than drinking alcohol. All measures should be mild, not prohibitive, convincing teenagers of good intentions.
Preventive Measures
To prevent alcoholism among teenagers, all measures must be carried out at various levels. One of the main preventive measures, named by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, is the demonstration of the correct family model (2022). The family must create conditions for a healthy lifestyle and provide a good example. In this regard, parents who do not drink alcohol are a great example for teenagers. Education of children to form a negative opinion about alcohol should be important. Teenagers spend a significant amount of time in educational institutions. Schools need to create conditions that encourage sports and physical exercise. Teachers must have the necessary qualities and be an example for teenagers. The state should apply various preventive measures that contribute to the development among citizens of a lifestyle in which the use of alcohol would be excluded altogether or significantly limited. For this, it is necessary to apply prohibition and restriction of alcohol consumption by teenagers, responsibility for drawing them into drinking alcohol, punishment of people who appear drunk in public places, encouragement and stimulation of advertising telling about the dangers of alcohol.
The Work of Psychologists
The work of psychologists should be carried out in educational institutions and families. It is necessary to convey to parents the importance of creating a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for a teenager. Work in educational institutions may include questionnaires and face-to-face contact with adolescents to identify vulnerable students. It is necessary to ensure anonymity and provide adolescents with a trusting and safe environment for honest answers.
Work with Adolescents Involved in Alcohol Addiction
After identifying adolescents already involved in drinking alcohol, psychological and medical work will be required. It is necessary to determine whether alcohol has already had consequences on physical and mental health. The Beck scale can be used to detect depression and suicidal tendencies. It is also necessary to check the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. The psychological consequences at this stage are likely to be more severe than the physical ones. Free work with a psychologist is needed to get out of alcohol addiction.
Leisure activities for Teenagers
The organization of affordable teenage leisure time can be a good tool to combat alcohol addiction. Leisure centers can be organized at schools, including sports and creative circles. Membership should be free to ensure accessibility to all teenagers. In addition, clubs can be organized for teenagers already addicted to alcohol. Such activities should be aimed at reorientation from alcohol dependence to the values of a sober life.
Planned Effect
The main goal of the presented campaign is to reduce teenage alcohol addiction. Unfortunately, quick results can be counted on only in treating adolescents who have already become addicted. Reduction of addiction in treating such adolescents at the overall level will still be low. However, in the long run, such a plan could significantly reduce this level in the future. Significant improvements can be expected at least in a five-year perspective. However, effective assistance to adolescents already involved in addiction is already a significant contribution to public health.
References
FreeMedEducation. (2020). What Happens if You are An Alcohol and Tobacco Addict? – Effects on Brain and Body [Video file].
Long Island Health Collaborative. (2019). Adult Alcohol Abuse on Long Island.
Office of Addiction Services and Support. (2022). Prevention. New York State. Prevention | Office of Addiction Services and Supports (ny.gov)