by Z. Blake

Created on: March 13, 2009

It is a widely accepted fact that underage drinking is a quickly worsening problem. Teenagers are drinking from a younger age and more frequently than ever before, often starting at around thirteen. It is also well know that when teenagers and alcohol mix the results are dire. This is having a very damaging effect on the health of teenagers today.

Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug and it plays such a huge part in older people's social lives that it is not surprising that young people are eager to be a part of it. Of course, we have all heard about the dreaded "peer pressure" and it is undeniably playing a big role in young peoples lives, as the average age that people begin drinking is getting lower while the amount being consumed is increasing.

More and more adolescents are binge drinking. But what does this mean? What is binge drinking? Well, binge drinking is a term to describe an occasion when we drink too much. It is when we have more than 6 standard drinks. Basically, binge drinking is harmful drinking that is likely to increase our risk of accidents, injuries, violence and poisoning. Binge drinking is very harmful to the health, especially amongst teenagers. Here are just a few of the bad effects on the health that this habit can cause.

So what is all the commotion about? One result is the damage that alcohol does to young peoples minds. While under the influence the mind is compromised and there is a loss of control in many areas. However, it can also do long term brain damage. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, in effect this means that it can poison the brain. One of its effects is that it interferes with vitamin B absorption, which in turn prevents the brain from working properly. Long-term binge drinking can lead to a range of disorders, collectively known as alcohol-related brain damage. These bad effects can last into adulthood. Symptoms can include learning and memory problems and difficulties with balance. Research has proven that young peoples developing brains are more susceptible to damage from heavy drinking than adults.

Another aspect of the health that alcohol abuse and binge drinking in young people does is harm the organs. Organs in teens which are still not fully developed can literally be poisoned by alcohol. Alcohol has a detrimental effect on every single organ in the body. After consuming a large amount of alcohol young people are far more likely to need their stomach pumped. Alcoholic liver disease is unfortunately very common. Damage to

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