It is not without reason that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is only permitted from the age of 18. Underage teenagers are exposed to health risks and alcohol has a considerable influence on their behaviour.

 

Alcohol is the most widely used intoxicant among teenagers. As a person under the age of 18 is not yet fully grown and developed, alcohol has a particular effect on the brain. Alcohol slows down bodily functions and acts like an antidepressant, blocking signals to the brain. This changes the level of consciousness, the ability to absorb information, movement, vision and hearing. At the beginning of alcohol consumption, the body reacts either with feelings of anxiety or relaxation. Further consumption results in coordination disorders, speech disorders and confusion. LargeLarger amounts of alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can even be fatal. A person who is not fully grown can process less alcohol, so the tolerable amount is much lower.

 

Not only physical but also mental functions are impaired by alcohol. A person can lose inhibitions or become aggressive under the influence of alcohol. Most people, but especially very young people, act in a way that is completely contrary to their normal character when under the influence of alcohol. This is accompanied by memory problems and concentration difficulties. Other emotional problems such as anxiety or depression can remain latent due to excessive alcohol consumption. It is not uncommon for excessive alcohol consumption to bring seemingly unsolvable problems to the surface and end in suicide attempts.

 

Young people in particular tend to overestimate themselves when under the influence of alcohol, putting themselves and others at risk. Alcohol and drug abuse are the main cause of fatal road accidents among 15 to 20-year-olds. In most cases, the consumption of alcohol increases the willingness to take other drugs.

 

When teenagers drink alcohol, it creates a range of dangerous behaviours, mainly due to poor judgement under the influence of intoxicants and underestimated effects on the mind and body. Regular underage drinking can lead to underachievement, dropping out of school, aggressive behaviour, sexual assault and suicidal thoughts.