PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Why do some teens struggle with alcohol and alcohol dependency while others don’t?
For many years, a genetic link has been stressed and there is a strong connection between neurochemicals in the brain and alcohol abuse.
A new report in the Journal of the American Medical Association says don’t overlook family dynamics and a teenager’s personality traits. The researchers followed more than 2,200 teens for almost a decade and found that teens who were impulsive, extroverted and risk-takers were more likely to abuse alcohol and become dependent.
Not surprisingly, alcohol abuse by parents and easy access to alcohol at home were key contributors as well.
There are many reasons why a teen may abuse alcohol and become dependent beyond a family history of alcoholism.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.