Evidence-Based Treatments of Alcohol Misuse in ADOLESCENTS: An Effective Program to Reduce Youth's Alcohol Syndrome

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Name of the Student: Rafida Alhagiali
Name of the University: Bedfordshire University
Critical Evaluation of Evidence-based Treatments of Alcohol Misuse
in adolescents. What
makes an Effective Program to reduce Youth’s Alcohol Syndrome?
Consumption and misuse of alcohol has, relatively recently become a
concern amongst adolescents as this pattern of behaviour has started
affecting (also) their mental and physical health adversely (Soyka & Miller,
2017). Consequently, alcohol misuse may affect not only adults but also adolescents.
Consuming alcohol from a young age may lead to other alcohol-related problems in future.
Although, when compared to adults, the consumption of alcohol among adolescents seems to
be more episodic, it is at the same time quite substantial. Therefore, alcohol consumption
during this age may become dangerous (Soyka & Miller, 2017). Often, the need to be
accepted within a specific group of friends may lead adolescents to start consuming alcohol.
Soyka & Miller (2017) emphasized that high consumption of alcohol may also lead to alcohol
poisoning and death among adolescents. Studies confirmed that, alcohol misuse among
young people can be also associated with factors linked to, mental and physical disorder as
well as an increase of suicide attempts, and it may further cause the development of, mood
disorders, depression, hyperactivity, as well as anxiety disorder and schizophrenia (Doughty,
Maxwell & Slater 2020). Furthermore, as stated by Doughty, Maxwell & Slater (2020), the
organs of the body may also get affected by alcohol misuse, and this may reduce adolescent’s
physical activity and make their growth redundant. As alcohol misuse in young people have
increased over the past decades, there is consequently a huge need to understand which
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ALCOHOL MISUSE IN ADOLESCENTS
factors may contribute to this behaviour. An important factor could be related to the
relationship of adolescents with their family members. A neglecting attitude from parents, or
their authoritative nature, may urge adolescents to start consuming and misusing alcohol
(Doughty, Maxwell & Slater 2020). Moreover, being around friends consuming alcohol may
also represent one of the most important reasons behind the use of alcohol among
adolescents. Studies conducted on the development of the brain have gathered information
that showed the effects of alcohol on the adolescents’ brain. (The) immaturity in the
development of the brain may also lead to higher consumption of alcohol during this stage
(Lintonen & Nevalainen 2017). Unnecessary pressure on children, due to studies and
competition may also urge young people to seek support from of alcohol. The primary
aim of the essay is to focus on the reasons behind adolescents’ alcohol consumption and
misuse, and the ideas that lead to the issue, highlighting which treatments may be currently
more effective in adolescents’ alcohol misuse therapy.
As adolescents’ alcohol misuse, has become a significant concern in recent years, society
sometimes seems to pay more attention in blaming young people, instead of finding the
reason behind this misuse. Due to an increase intake of alcohol among adolescents, there has
been an urgent need to curb the problem and find effective solutions to mitigate this issue.
Moreover, because of the growing concern for parents and the entire society, it is essential to
throw some light on this matter, as this could be also helpful for parents and the society to
cope with the problem. (It must be kept in mind that) as stated by Deas, D. (2007),
‘’adolescents are not adults, and as such, the treatments to support them, need to be tailed
taking into consideration their development specifically, which is different compared to
adults’, and the reasons leading to this pattern of behaviour. On the base of this, what may
be the reasons for adolescent consumption of Alcohol? One of the primary reasons, that may
lead individuals to consume alcohol may be the necessity to provide an effect of relief from
stress, and create a positive mood (Kelly et al., 2016). As a matter of fact, alcohol misuse has

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led to health concerns over the globe especially as it may affect the body both physiologically
and psychologically. Often people, who start to consume alcohol, may become addicted to it,
and this can also later lead to the development of a mental health disorders (Kelly et al.,
2016). It is necessary to understand, that adolescents at this age start undergoing many
changes, both physically as well as mentally. They start going through a lot of hormonal,
neural and behavioral changes. It is in this stage, that young people may feel the need to
experiment new things typically of adulthood. During this age, adolescents are also trying to
develop their own identity and, create new and close relationship outside the family. This
may sometimes result in taking risky as well as dangerous behaviors (Kelly et al., 2016).
Therefore, it is typically, during this period that teenagers may start consuming alcohol
and/or drugs. Although adolescents seem to drink less than adults when they do, it is usually
in large amounts, and this can severely affect their health. (Lam et al., 2017). As already
stated, the consumption of alcohol among adolescents is influenced by many factors. These
factors can range from, physical, psychological to(and) social factors (Lam et al., 2017). One
of the primary reasons of alcohol consumption among adolescents seems to be peer pressure.
Most teenagers may develop a habit of alcohol intake because they feel forced by their
friends, otherwise they would be ousted from the group. Therefore, it is often because of the
fear of becoming lonely and be treated as an outsider, that adolescents start the habit of
drinking alcohol (Lam et al., 2017). Moreover, issues within the family may also lead to
alcohol consumption among adolescents. If the parents' relationships are strained, then the
children may get affected. Frequent fights between parents in front of their children, may
urge the youngsters to get away from the strenuous environment and take refuge in drinking
(McCann et al., 2016). Alcohol consumption may also be linked to adolescents’ neglect
during this sensitive stage of their life, and therefore to forget their grief, they start to
consume alcohol that ultimately becomes a habit (McCann et al., 2016). Other factors may
derive from imitations of adults and celebrities. When adolescents see the formers consuming
and even misusing alcohol, they may think that there is nothing terrible or risky in such

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behaviour. The desire to be like their ‘’role model, may lead them to consume and misuse
alcohol, thinking that this represent a normal pattern of behaviour (Muñoz et al., 2016).
Other factors, responsible for alcohol consumption and misuse among adolescents may be
represented by stress and anxiety states. At this stage, in fact there may be a lot of pressure on
young people from family, society and schools, therefore, they may often feel that nobody
understands them or is available to provide a support to their stress. As a consequence, they
may find a relief in drinking making this a habit to gain respite from their daily stressful life
(Lam et al., 2017). It is also important to highlight that, the reason behind alcohol
consumption between adolescents and adults is very different. The reason behind
adolescents’ consumption of alcohol has been discussed in the previous paragraph. Adults
drinking may be due to their hectic schedule. Drinking alcohol may relieve their stress and
make them more energetic (Patrick et al., 2016) ?.Although adults may drink frequently, the
amount of alcohol they consume is less than the adolescents’ and this may be related to the
fact that adults do not experience peer pressure (Patrick et al., 2016). Since they may not be
able to balance their work-life, adults may consume alcohol to forget their frustration (Patrick
et al., 2016). Adults, unlike young people, may also drink when they are going through a
financial crisis as drinking releases chemicals that soothes the brain (Patrick et al., 2016).
Therefore, if the reasons for alcohol consumption and misuse between adolescents and adults
are different, then their treatments should be also altered. One of the ways of treating
adolescents’ alcohol misuse may be, firstly to understand their needs and frustration. Instead
of blaming them, people should try to support them and give them extra care. (Family
members may obtain good achievements) if parents in’ Primis’ would take extra care of
their offspring and make their household environment as much comfortable and secure as
possible, so that the youngster could feel good (Jang et al., 2017). Moreover, unnecessary
pressure should not be put on adolescents as at this stage, they are already going through a lot
of changes, both physically and mentally (Manto & Moore 2016). (Admittedly), In fact, if
the pressure on them could be lessened, they may not feel this need to consume alcohol.