Spring break may conjure images of pristine beaches, warm waves, bikinis and Speedos, but it is also often lumped into another category: drunken rowdiness. Teens and college students from all across the United States descend on places like Cancun, Miami and Cabo, where the beaches are beautiful – and the alcohol flows rather readily.
But this week of drunken debauchery is now being linked to more than just hangovers. Those in their teens and early twenties who participate in any binge drinking can suffer from brain damage.
The brain continues to develop up to the age of 25 years old, and high levels of alcohol can affect the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls decision making and impulse control. Not only does this make smart decision-making more difficult during these developmental years, but it can make the young persons more susceptible to alcohol abuse later in life.
Researchers, however, have determined that parental involvement can help these young adults make better choices about alcohol. Instead of allowing young adults to drink under adult supervision, researchers advise parents to teach a no-tolerance approach to alcohol. Kids raised in this environment were much less likely to imbibe than young adults who were allowed to drink even small amounts under adult supervision.
There is hope, though, for young adults who are already ingrained in an alcoholic lifestyle. These young people can seek addiction support. Places like Vista Taos Renewal Center in New Mexico can offer the addiction support needed early in life, setting these young people on non-alcoholic paths. Addiction support can also help the youths avoid additional damage to the cerebral cortex. If you are 18 years of age or older and are in need of addiction support and drug counseling, Vista Taos can work with you to develop a comfortable, successful and personal plan for you or your loved ones.
