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While millions of Americans use alcohol as a social lubricant, many cross the line of recreation use to addiction. Whether we like it or not alcohol is a drug, but because it is so socially acceptable, its reputation and regulation is much different compared to other drugs. The negative effect it has on society is overshadowed by the positive stigma it carries today. In moderation it can be a good thing, but from an early age kids are taught that alcohol is bad, but kids are never taught how to properly and responsibly use alcohol. So instead, teenagers want to be rebellious (imagine that), and try something they have always been told to stay away from. This can lead to abuse of alcohol because they don’t know how to use in moderation. By abusing alcohol at such a young age, teenagers manipulate their growing brain to be used to binge drinking, which can develop into dependency later in life.
When ethanol is present in the brain, it alters the communication processes that are happening between nerves and within the nerves by interacting with receptors and altering intracellular signal cascades. It does this by inhibiting excitatory activity and increases inhibitory neurotransmissions. The pathways that are affected from the presence of ethanol can provide and underlying mechanism for the addiction that the chronic use of alcohol can lead to. The primary effect of alcohol in the brain is the increase of the stimulation of the GABA receptors, which cause a depression in the central nervous system. As alcohol abuse continues, these receptors are desensitized and down regulated. Which results in tolerance to alcohol and also physical dependence. Starting this cycle at an earlier age, along with irresponsible consumption may lead to a higher potential for physical dependence.
Alcoholism Starting Point
