Picture this: You are doing your homework, feeling the weight of exam season, and studying for midterms stacked on top of your usual work load. You need something to help you relax and escape from the overwhelming stress of your daily life, so you turn towards something that is supposedly meant to help you relax: alcohol.
In popular media, underage drinking is often talked about as a widespread issue among students. Within WA, however, this issue tends to fly under the radar.
“Obviously, students don’t talk a lot about it [in class]. I think I have more experience with it at the Senior Health [class] level,” health teacher Melanie Jozokos said. “[Adults] know it exists and we want to curb it as much as we can.”
Although it may not be openly discussed often in the WA community, alcohol use is still prevalent among teenagers throughout the country. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol remains the most commonly used drug among people younger than 21 years old in the US.
According to the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAA), while teen drinking has declined in recent years, alcohol is still dangerous for teens to be around. Adolescents who drink can be affected by alcohol through its interference with brain development, which can continue to impact young brains until a person is well into their 20s and early adulthood. The consequences of underage drinking can extend beyond teenage years, affecting future opportunities as well.
In addition, according to a study from the NIAA, as adolescents mature, they undergo complex developmental changes, especially in their brains. These developments alter the organization and functioning of the brain in regards to cognitive, emotional, and social skills.
According to a 2018 WA graduate who preferred to remain anonymous — choosing to be referred to as “Tom” — he has not seen any long-term effects of his underage drinking. However, he believes that this is partly due to him having stopped drinking in his senior year of high school.
“I read about the dangers, and I guess I just didn’t realize the long-term effects until then,” Tom said. “I’m glad I stopped [drinking] when I did, or else I worry that I would have become dependent on it or addicted.”
There are several reasons as to why adolescents may try alcohol, including curiosity, peer pressure, or stress. Easy access to alcohol at parties or in homes can also contribute to students developing drinking habits.
“[Teens] cover [daily pressures] up with alcohol, whether it’s past trauma, whether it’s stress because of school or pressure that they feel from grades or sports, or pressure to fit in,” Jozokos said.
According to Informed Families, teens who experience academic stress are more likely to experiment with substances. “One drink” becomes a coping mechanism that can continue on in the future.
“Substances are not the only thing you can turn to if you are struggling with any sort of problem in you life,” Tom said. “It is just really important to have a great support net and to reach out for help when you need it.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, make sure to contact a resource below for help.
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Crisis Call Center: 1-800-273-8255 or text “ANSWER” to 839863
