Real Talk, Teenage Alcoholism Is A Huge Problem In Society

Real Talk, Teenage Alcoholism Is A Huge Problem In Society

All of those drinking games and binge drinking counts too!
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Apr 22, 2018
71
views

Alcoholism is by definition is a disease that causes cravings, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance to alcohol. Alcohol is damaging to the liver, brain, heart, and can cause many other diseases. It does not discriminate.

There are many misconceptions about alcohol dependence and alcoholism.

1. You have to be old

2. You have to have had a serious life experience

3. You must have to be constantly drinking

4. You have to have depression or another mental illness

5. Binge drinking is not bad and doesn't attribute to alcoholism

All of these are false. Anyone who consumes alcohol puts themselves at risk of developing a dependency on alcohol. Not just white middle-aged men. While the media plays this stereotype up, there’s much more alcoholism in many races and backgrounds.

Teenagers are more likely to engage in drinking at parties and social gatherings. It's no secret that binge drinking is the college style of drinking. Just thinking about certain games you play - getting stuck on the bus or losing the ring of fire. This is easy 5 shots over 20-30 minutes.

Drinking games. Taking pulls. Mixing different alcohols. Doing other drugs. All of these are ways teens binge drink and pug themselves not only in immediate danger but the risk of developing a dependency to alcohol.

Alcohol is a huge problem because it leads to dependence and risky behavior. Teenagers do not have the capacity to consume alcohol based on the development of the brain. The brain is not fully developed until age 25, so teens do not have the biological maturity to be consuming alcohol. The part that is lastly developed and refined is The prefrontal cortex where decision making is held. The function of alcohol is to inhibit judgement, so naturally making decisions is more difficult.

According to the Department of Health Services, ten million teens drink alcohol regularly. This number is WAY too high. It is more common in those with a mental illness and teens who drink alcohol are four times more likely to attempt suicide. The hardest part about being a teenager is figuring out who you are and making sense of the world. Now think about how hard it would be to cope with all the stress and be hooked on alcohol.

We have to start this conversation about binge drinking and excessive alcohol intake in teenagers because it is often seen as taboo to address. By ignoring the problem we are fueling the platform for alcoholism to occur. Giving a name to teenage alcoholism allows for conversations to start. It’s okay to talk about alcohol and safe consumption.

Cover Image Credit: unsplash
Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Apr 22, 2018
At Creighton University
At Creighton University

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Everything You Will Miss If You Commit Suicide

The world needs you.
Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman Apr 5, 2016
51173
views

You won’t see the sunrise or have your favorite breakfast in the morning.

Instead, your family will mourn the sunrise because it means another day without you.

You will never stay up late talking to your friends or have a bonfire on a summer night.

You won’t laugh until you cry again, or dance around and be silly.

You won’t go on another adventure. You won't drive around under the moonlight and stars.

They’ll miss you. They’ll cry.

You won’t fight with your siblings only to make up minutes later and laugh about it.

You won’t get to interrogate your sister's fiancé when the time comes.

You won’t be there to wipe away your mother’s tears when she finds out that you’re gone.

You won’t be able to hug the ones that love you while they’re waiting to wake up from the nightmare that had become their reality.

You won’t be at your grandparents funeral, speaking about the good things they did in their life.

Instead, they will be at yours.

You won’t find your purpose in life, the love of your life, get married or raise a family.

You won’t celebrate another Christmas, Easter or birthday.

You won’t turn another year older.

You will never see the places you’ve always dreamed of seeing.

You will not allow yourself the opportunity to get help.

This will be the last sunset you see.

You’ll never see the sky change from a bright blue to purples, pinks, oranges and yellows meshing together over the landscape again.

If the light has left your eyes and all you see is the darkness, know that it can get better. Let yourself get better.

This is what you will miss if you leave the world today.

This is who will care about you when you are gone.

You can change lives. But I hope it’s not at the expense of yours.

We care. People care.

Don’t let today be the end.

You don’t have to live forever sad. You can be happy. It’s not wrong to ask for help.

Thank you for staying. Thank you for fighting.

Suicide is a real problem that no one wants to talk about. I’m sure you’re no different. But we need to talk about it. There is no difference between being suicidal and committing suicide. If someone tells you they want to kill themselves, do not think they won’t do it. Do not just tell them, “Oh you’ll be fine.” Because when they aren’t, you will wonder what you could have done to help. Sit with them however long you need to and tell them it will get better. Talk to them about their problems and tell them there is help. Be the help. Get them assistance. Remind them of all the things they will miss in life.

For help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Cover Image Credit: Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman
Brittani Norman Apr 5, 2016
At Influencers of Montana

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Meditation Is Not A Perfect Practice, But It's Still Worth Your Time

You'll thank me later.

nczupek
nczupek Jan 17, 2019
282
views

I began doing yoga a few years ago, and I instantly loved it. The combination of stretching, mental relaxation, and emotional release is amazing. It creates a sense of zen and peace in my life that I can use during the stress that comes from school, work, and everyday life. But the one part of yoga that I am not in love with is the meditation aspect.

I absolutely dread meditation. I do not know what it is, but I can never quite seem to get my mind to quiet down. No matter how hard I try, there is always a million thoughts running through my brain. "Did I finish that homework assignment?" "Am I breathing too loud? Can other people hear me?" I become so focused on other things happening around me that I just can't seem to calm down and relax.

But meditation is not about just clearing your mind and going completely blank. It is about focusing on a single thought, object, or intention and just allowing those emotions and feelings to overcome you. Focusing on one intention in your life allows you to become focused and re-centered. Meditation is not a set in stone practice, it is adaptable based on each person's needs.

There are seven general types of meditation: loving-kindness meditation, body scanning meditation, mindfulness meditation, breath awareness meditation, kundalini yoga, Zen meditation, and transcendentalism meditation. Each of these general types can be adapted to fit ones specific needs in that time. All seven of these meditations offer stress release options to help with daily stressors and inconveniences.

There is no perfect way to meditate. Meditation can also be as simple as just closing your eyes and simply breathing for a few seconds while focusing on one important thing in your life to help you remain grounded. There is no one set meditation type that works for all people. Some people enjoy all of the forms or even several of them, while others such as myself strictly enjoy the body scanning meditation.

The body scanning meditation focuses on scanning the body for areas of tension and to encourage the release of tension in that part of the body. Once the release occurs, the whole body can begin to relax even more. It usually starts by focusing on the toes and relaxing then moving up the legs, the torso the arms to the fingertips, and all the way through to the tip of the head.

My ideal meditation type is not for everyone. Playing around with the different types of meditations is the best way to find an ideal type of meditation that fits what the body needs. Unlike with most things, practice doesn't make perfect. Practicing the art of meditation just helps to refine the overall calm and zen that is felt.

nczupek
nczupek Jan 17, 2019
At University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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