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Adolescent alcohol abuse can mark the beginning of many future problems. Even if the youth avoids later alcohol dependence and abuse problems, there are still behavioral issues that can affect their social lives. Antisocial behavior is one of these issues.

Alcohol abuse and dependence hinders the ability to learn in the development process. When adolescents use alcohol in the face of typical life problems like break-ups, bad grades or losing a big game, they essentially block the brain from learning how to deal with it. So later in life they will either act out in public or isolate completely.

Antisocial behavior is a negative answer to fears individuals have about social situations. These behaviors can be in the form of a publicly disruptive display or, on the other hand, hiding in isolation away from others. Either way the behavior inhibits social interaction and personal growth.

While antisocial behavior is more pronounced with repetitive adolescent alcohol abuse, even occasional binge drinking could cause problems. This is because the masking of feelings with alcohol enters the psyche and has a permanent effect. So the frustration of dealing with those feelings later in life can drive them to isolate or act out.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has released an alert that is a comprehensive look at the influence of alcohol on development. A portion of the alert is below, followed by a link to the document.

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Across multiple studies, there seems to be a strong relationship between drinking in later adolescence and in early adulthood. Research also shows that people who drink heavily in late adolescence are more likely than others to be diagnosed with an AUD later in life. In addition, alcohol use in late adolescence is associated with a number of other serious problems in adulthood, including drug dependence, antisocial behavior, and depression, although evidence of this latter association has been inconsistent.

— Source: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA78/AA78.pdf —

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides youth alcohol and drug treatment. We also staff mental health professionals as part of our commitment to integrated behavioral healthcare. If you or a loved one needs help for alcohol abuse, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.