Dangers In Teen Alcoholism
Grace (not real name), 15 is in senior secondary school 11(SS2) and already, she is competing with boys in taking acohol. When caught up with her, the under-aged girl said “I don’t see anything wrong with my drinking. My father and mother drink, my mother has a beer parlor in our street, drinking is not a problem in our place. In fact people will be surprised if I don’t drink.”
For Patrick, an indigene of Plateau State and an SS 3 student the love for alcohol runs in his family “My grandmother used to sell local beer (burukutu) and my mother took over the business. We used to drink it very early before leaving for school because it is prepared in big drums or local pots and left open to cool and nobody will chide us when we take the local calabash and fetch some. Naturally I became addicted to alcohol. I now drink beer and hot drink, but I still mix it with burukutu whenever I go home for holidays.”
Dr David Ali who has handled several alcoholics in the past stated that “People who have their first drink at age 14 or less are more likely to develop alcohol problems than those who don’t try alcohol until the legal drinking age. I had a case of a teenager who started screaming in the middle of the night after a night of drinking binge. Everybody thought he has gone mad and some were recommending the asylum, but I refused, knowing his case could still be solved, but some are not that lucky. It has been proven that teens are more vulnerable to addiction because the pleasure center of the brain matures before the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and executive decision making. Teens with alcoholic sibling or parent are five times more likely to develop a problem with alcohol than someone without such a family history. Alcoholism can lead to mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Another danger with teen alcoholics is that, those who drink for socialisation tend to drink more than those who don’t believe that alcohol gives them confidence. The highest rates of drinking occurs in young adults from the ages 18 to 25. Teen alcoholism can lead to liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and pancreatitis—often develop more gradually and may become evident only after years of drinking.”
Dr Betty Anukwe, a medical practitioner states that “Alcohol can cause liver problems, alcohol boosts esophageal cancer risk. Women who drink even one or two drinks per day have an increased risk of breast cancer. Consistent high intake of alcohol causes toxicity to many of the organ system. Those who drink have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, it can be the cause of obesity, impaired judgment, and reduces the body’s reaction time. Alcohol also affects the liver and decrease sperm as well as a decreases in sexual drive. It is also a big risk to fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects”.
Mallam Abdulaziz Yahaya, a Moslem cleric stated that “Islam completly condemns alcoholism, it is a big sin against God because of what alcohol can make one do. Parents must from an early age give their children a firm Islamic foundation at homes that they will not be misled outside by friends. Lack of good, godly training and bad company are some of the main reasons why youths consume alcohol. “God prohibited all “ithm” (sin)” 7:33, while 2:219 states that “if they ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them there is a gross “ithm” (sin), and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.
“It is rather unfortunate that, some people who claim that drinking was prohibited in stages, or that it was permitted until the revelation of the Quran, show their ignorance with God’s unchangeable law (33:62).”
Pastor Gabriel Isaac of Christ Divinity Church International said “Jesus Christ spoke against the use of alcohol in it Luke 12:45; 21:34. And the books of Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 11:21, warn those who have leadership roles in the Christian community to avoid getting drunk (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 2:3). Parent and guardian must ensure that their children are thought of the dangers of teen alcoholism.
“Teen drinking can lead to car accidents, violent behaviour, alcohol poisoning, suicide attempt, immorality, and other associated problems. We know that we cannot control youths of these days, but we can try our best by making them understand the dangers inherent in early alcoholism.
“In 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, Paul sets down the principle we should use in such cases: “Everything is permissible”-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (NIV) The Bible does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol but leaves that choice up to the individual.
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received of God? . . . . therefore honour God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV). God is concerned with how we treat our bodies, including what we eat or drink.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV). The wise Solomon said, “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1, NIV). Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31, NIV”).
Leadership
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