Health
Teens who are addicted to alcohol and drugs from a young age lose a lot, namely some of their brain abilities. Chemicals found in alcohol and drugs damage the part of the brain that is responsible for judgment, decision-making, and communication skills. This conclusion was made by scientists during a study led by Robert Thoma from the University of New Mexico.
During the study, scientists found that constant drunkenness damages the frontal lobe of the brain of adolescents, and this age is an important period in their development. Alcohol disrupts processes that increase attention and improve planning skills.
The course of the study
Three groups of adolescents participated in the study. The first group included 19 adolescents who were addicted to alcohol or drugs, the second group included 15 young people who did not abuse alcohol or drugs, and in their families nothing like this has been observed either. The third group included 14 teenagers who do not suffer from alcohol or drug addiction, but someone in their families abused them. It turned out that the results in spatial perception skills were lower among adolescents from the latter group, although they did not show any signs of so-called “drunken conception”. In addition, when teenagers drank more and more, their ability to respond to external stimuli and concentrate attention deteriorated.
Like other studies, Toma found a link between marijuana use and memory problems.
According to the researcher, adults restore these brain functions if they stop drinking. It can be assumed that the same thing happens to teenagers. If brain disorders were caused by alcohol, then this process may become reversible if the teenager drinks less or refrains from drinking.
Does it depend on quantity?
In the future, researchers plan to study the effect of alcohol on the adolescent brain when used in moderation, and to determine whether brain disorders depend on the amount of alcohol consumed drinks.
Members of some nationalities, such as Greeks, Italians, Spaniards, French people, have been drinking moderately since a young age, and there is no data to indicate disturbances in their brain activity.