The problem of young binge drinkers is increasing, with some being only adolescents, which means by the time they are in their early twenties, they are already dependent on alcohol.
Results of a study recently published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism, shows that women, in particular, are more greatly affected by alcohol.
This is because they metabolize it in a different way so therefore alcohol has a more noxious effect on both the body and the brain.
Memory problems for heavy drinkers can occur as young as the early forties. Co-author Dr. Jane Marshall states that despite popular belief dementia is not just something that happens to the elderly.
In fact, up to a quarter of cases diagnosed in the UK, could be put down to the high consumption of drink. [Alcohol Abuse]
It certainly sets alarm bells ringing as in recent years the increase in young women drinking is very significant. Trying to get the long term effects of heavy drinking across to teens when old age seems so far away and irrelevant is hard.
When you are young living for today is what it is all about, they have little interest in what will happen to their health in 40 years.
However, a spokesperson from the Alzheimer’s Society, an organization in the UK, does not believe that these figures prove a definite link to any type of dementia. They point to other research which says that a daily glass of wine slows down the start of dementia.
Perhaps any evidence that can be used to educate teenagers in the dangers of drink should be considered worthwhile. If alcohol could gain a similar reputation to smoking, in the long term, it kills; perhaps a lot of lives could be saved.
