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The Physical Effects of Alcohol During Adolescence

While much is known about the physical effects alcohol has on adults and even babies suffering Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, little is known about the effects of alcohol use and abuse by adolescents. Adolescence is a time of great change for boys and girls, so it is likely that alcohol consumption during this crucial time affects development. Additional research into the effects of alcohol on key developmental processes is definitely warranted.

  1. Effects on the Endocrine System

    • The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate the body. During adolescence, children undergo puberty, which is a process initiated by sex hormones that leads to sexual maturation. Signals from the brain stimulate the gonads--testes in men and ovaries in women--to produce sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. These hormones act on nearly every system in the body --- bones, muscle, blood, skin, hair, breasts, sex organs and the brain. The hormones stimulate growth or change the function of these systems. It is believed that alcohol consumption during puberty can cause an imbalance in the hormones necessary for normal development.

    Effects on the Liver

    • The liver filters all of the blood in the body and removes toxins and harmful substances. It is one of the larger organs in the body and has amazing regenerative capabilities, but alcohol and drug abuse can lead to irreparable liver damage. While liver damage is often seen in elderly people, it is very rarely seen in adolescents without an underlying medical condition. Adolescents who consume alcohol have shown elevated liver enzymes, which is an indicator of liver damage.

    Effects on the Brain

    • During adolescences, the neural pathways in the brain undergo great changes, including the formation of new connections between nerves and the destruction of unnecessary connections. Changes in the dopamine system change the way dopamine, a neural messenger, communicates with other parts of the brain. Alcohol use may affect the way the dopamine system forms, which can lead to behavioral changes and psychological malfunctions. The hippocampus region of the brain, responsible for learning and memory, is also affected by alcohol use during adolescence. Studies show that adolescents that abuse alcohol have smaller hippocampuses than adolescents that do not use alcohol.

    Effects on Growth

    • The sex hormones that are produced during puberty trigger an increase in production of other hormones and growth factors. These growth factors and hormones are necessary for organ development during adolescence. Drinking reduces the amount of testosterone in the body as well as the amount of Insulin-Like Growth Hormone-1, a human growth factor. Decreases in these hormones could detrimental effects on sexual maturity in both adolescent males and females.

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