Effects of Alcohol on the Developing Brain: The Adolescent at Risk

Adolescence is a phase of great physical, emotional and social transformations that put individuals in vulnerability and with risks of aggravations that can be definitive. Among the various characteristics of the adolescent, the experimentation of new sensations and challenges is one of the most outstanding, being responsible for several common problems in this phase of life. Among the several factors that can adversely affect adolescents, alcohol is one of the most prevalent, offering serious immediate and late risks. This article presents some characteristics of alcohol consumption among adolescents and the effects on the development of the central nervous system, highlighting the main damages that can be caused in the brain in formation (reduced white matter volume and cortices, neuronal apoptosis, demyelination). In view of the relevance of the effects of alcohol on the developing brain all efforts should be directed towards avoiding or minimizing the risks to which adolescents are subject. It also presents some measures that can be with the aim of preventing the consumption of alcohol among adolescents.

The Influence of Adolescents’ Social Networks on Alcohol Consumption: A Descriptive Study of Spanish Adolescents Using Social Network Analysis

In adolescence, friends are important due to their influence on the acquisition of habits such as alcohol consumption. However, there is a lack of studies that describe the structural context of adolescents, which would be useful to implement prevention strategies. Therefore, our research question was how adolescent friendship networks influence alcohol consumption. Our goal was to determine the structural profile of adolescent at-risk alcohol users and their relational context in the classroom. We designed a descriptive cross-sectional study based on social network analysis to analyze structural patterns. We recruited 195 students. Social-network and alcohol-consumption variables were analyzed using the UCINET and STATA programs. Some 86.67% of participants had consumed alcohol at some time in their lives and the prevalence of at-risk alcohol use was higher in females (50.48% vs. 49.52%; OR: 1.84; CI 95%: 0.99–3.43%; p = 0.036). The lower the intensity of friendship, the more contacts adolescent at-risk alcohol users had within the network, and the easier it was for them to access their peers. Consequently, we conclude that the structure of a class is a key factor that merits further research.

The winner takes it all? Characteristics of adolescent at-risk/problem gamblers in Switzerland

Background: Gambling has and still entertains people in almost all societies throughout the world. Western societies have faced considerable changes in the amount and accessibility of gambling possibilities during the last decades, and the rates of both adolescent gamblers and problem gamblers have increased significantly. Objective: To determine the characteristics of at-risk and problem adolescent gamblers in Switzerland. Subjects: The study population consisted of 3134 students (1669 females) attending post-mandatory education in 15 randomly chosen centres. Participants were divided into non- (n=2207), non-problematic (n=754) and at-risk/ problematic gamblers (n=176). Methods: Both gambling groups were compared to non-gamblers on socio-demographic measures, substance use and Internet use. Overall, 29.6% had gambled during the past year and 5.6% had gambled in a risky or problematic way. Compared to non-gamblers and after controlling for potential confounders, non-problem gamblers were significantly more likely to be male, apprentices and to misuse alcohol. At-risk/problematic gamblers were additionally more likely to smoke cannabis, to be problematic Internet users and to be non-Swiss than non-gamblers. Conclusion: At-risk and problematic adolescent gambling is associated with other health risk behaviours. Health practitioners should include gambling in the psycho-social screening and preventive counselling of adolescents.