For many young people, the roots of teen alcohol abuse and alcoholism are found in the desire to obtain social acceptance, and their "tales of alcohol related mishaps and escapades are key markers of young people's social identity," according to a new study presented before the British Psychological Society.

Professor Christine Griffith and her colleagues at the University of Bath analyzed liquor advertisements as well as the results of interviews with young drinkers from both rural and urban areas.

"The 'culture of intoxication' has become a normalized and all but compulsory aspect of many young people's social lives," Dr. Griffith explained. "Getting very drunk with friends often insulates young people from viewing their level of alcohol consumption as a potential problem, deepening bonds of friendship and cementing group membership. ... Extreme inebriation is often seen as a source of personal esteem and social affirmation among young people."
 

Labels: alcohol_abuse, causes_of_teen_substance_abuse, alcoholism

Posted By: Jane St. Clair