Why does drinking alcohol affect younger people more quickly than adults?

Answer 1

This has never been established scientifically. There are two factors that must be considered: do teenagers who drink heavily do so because they have a previous tendency toward Alcoholism, and does the developing brain* experience changes from exposure to alcohol that are different from those of an adult. Much research is being done on both issues.

*Our brains do not finish developing until our early 20's.

Answer 2

A good question. Some authorities believe that the developing brain in young people may be more susceptible to the changes that accompany addiction, particularly to alcohol. However, there is no empirical evidence to support the theory so far.

Such issues are affected by a variety of other things. For instance, alcoholism is largely hereditary. Young people who come from families of drinkers are likely to drink early themselves, and therefore trigger any tendency to become addicted to alcohol much sooner than those who might begin drinking later due to family or social strictures. There is also the consideration that young people have fewer learned responses that would tend to mitigate extreme behavior of any kind, including drinking (they simply lack maturity and the ability to make mature decisions).

Answer: We don't know for sure. It's possible.

Answer 3

at a young age that's when alcoholism starts, i had my first drink at 14 years old, i never knew that 10 years later i would be out of a drug and alcohol rehab facility.. fighting for my life everday to stay sober-I'm one year on June 10th, alcohol affects the body differently because your young and you may not want to hear this but womens bodys keep growing and changing until the age of 25 years old, theres so many dieases you can get from alcohol- like stds for example and I'm serious you could be raped by someone while passed out and catch someting and you cant fight back, also ulcers of the stomach occur frequently to people who drink, and the cell damage to your liver is astounding at a young age ,let alone the statists of death from teenagers using alcohol and drugs being that your body is young your body process drugs and alcohol alot slower-and if your female, men can drink the same amount as you and not feel any affect at all, because a mans liver process 80% of everything he drinks right away that why it takes more alcohol for him to get drunker than you -and why most women cannot "out drink "a man, a womans liver only process about 20% and hour making you feel the affects in your body longer, and most men who are just trying to get laid, will try to get you to drink more, -those are the creeps you wanna stay far away from, because men at 16-18 are at their sexual peak and will lie, cheat, steal and do anything to get laid, if you do choose to drink, the point of intoxication is alcoholism-the ability to stop at just one can lead down a road of alcoholism, and drugs are no better,take the time to seriously consider the consequences-being grounded, having being forced into rehab, which a parent can do if your under 18-their is no escaping those places, and of course jail or juvinelle detention center,-I've been there once believe me you don't wanna end up in there. also their are drug kits in every Walgreen's nation wide for your parents to test you whenever they fell like, plus I'm not sure what state you live in but underage drinking tickets are very expensive like 1,200.00 and more than likely your parents will force you to get a job and pay it, or you might end up doing probation or community service, i hope you see what I'm saying to you, even adults drinking is stupid, but the unfair consequences to you are much more harsh. take care of yourself and think before you drink. DR.SARAH.

Answer 4

Well i think teenagers binge drink because its an experience factor. there are alot of teenagers drinking now and having big partys and well if you want to be cool and hang out with the cool people that's what they have to do .

Answer 5

For the same reason as anyone else drinks it - the intoxicating effects.

Answer 6

Faster metabolism, lower body weights, they typically drink more...

Answer 7

There pre-frontal cortex hasn't fully developed and leads them to have poor judment than a fully devolped cortex found in adults. While alcohol already effects judgment.

Answer 8

Acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke greatly increases the rewarding properties of nicotine in adolescent test animals, so that could apply to human adolescents as well.