Drinking alcohol is a tempting feeling for any teen. But the ill-effects of alcohol are devastating. What starts out as a pleasure-seeking activity soon turns into a self-made trap.
All of us remember the first time we cringed after taking the first sip of bitter, pungent alcohol, and told ourselves, “I finally did it!” What an achievement that felt like. Most of us have a fond memory of the first time we drank alcohol. But slowly and steadily, it becomes more of a habit rather than a “once in a blue moon” thing. And as we grow older, our concepts of partying become associated with alcohol. The intensity of our joy depends more on the amount of alcohol consumed.
Slowly yet steadily, it seeps from our blood veins to our lifestyle, becoming an integral part of the teenage experience. And yet, it ends up disintegrating teen lives. As per a report by DNA India, the World Health Organization estimates that while 30 percent of boys under the age of 15 consume alcohol in India, 31 percent of under-aged girls consume it too. Although the number has decreased in comparison to the past, these numbers are still evidence that alcohol is being consumed by age groups far from eligible.
According to a survey done by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, around 5000 teens under the age of 21 die every year. The vulnerability of teens makes them fall prey to the tempting sensation post-alcohol consumption. It is seen as a thrill-seeking activity, and the impulsive instinct of a teen interprets this as a challenge to gulp down as much as he can. Moreover, those who see drinking as a pleasurable experience are more likely to become alcoholics than those who don’t.
The complexity of this issue is increased by the irregularity of laws regarding alcohol consumption. In India, the minimum age criterion to drink ranges from 18-25, varying in different states. In some states, one can buy alcohol at the age of 18 but can consume it only after the age of 25. It is important to understand that teenage is a budding stage and teens are much more likely to be addicted to things that pose harm, but give the illusion of inducing joy. And this highlights the necessity of regulating laws with uniformity so that the safety and healthy upbringing of the teenagers is ensured.
Alcoholism, just like any other substance abuse, ruptures growth in a person and isolates one from his or her friends and family. Finding joy or solace in something that harms one mentally and physically is dangerous. Its effects on one’s life are no less than catastrophic. The delusion of seeking immense pleasure in an activity which is essentially self-damning makes matters far worse. Regardless of the age and mentality, teenagers are also themselves to blame for drinking in most instances, and thus, it is their responsibility to either find prevention or cure, failing which, they might end up in a trap they built for themselves all on their own.
Karan Singhania
Image Credits: healthyandmodern.com
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