The link between bullying and alcohol abuse

Teens and alcohol abuse

A recent collaboration by the Society of Prevention Research and Jeremy Luk of University of Washington found a correlating link between bullying and alcohol abuse along with depression resulting from bullying. Luk analyzed a study conducted by the U.S. Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC), of 1,495 10th graders focusing on bullying, depression and alcohol abuse.

The research showed a high correlation of those who were bullied became depressed or showed signs of depression. Primarily young girls were highly impacted. Of the adolescents suffering from depression many used drugs and abused alcohol. Many drug and alcohol addicts start using at a young age, generally 12 to 18 years old, from that point it is generally the jumping off point for a long binge of substance abuse and addiction. Many adolescents suffering from depression find risk taking behavior such as violence, sex, and substance use a reprieve from their depression. Unfortunately the link between bullying and alcohol abuse is the depression that bullying causes.

What is bullying?

Bullying among teens comes in many different forms. Bullying is a form of abuse. Recent bullying among teenagers has moved to internet bullying through emails and social networking.

A lot of damage can result from Internet bullying especially the social networking as it is a growing form of communication and particularly popular amongst teenagers.

New generations are increasingly exposed to the turmoil of others insecurities. Young girls are common targets for verbal abuse and bullying.

Teenage girls perception of what is being said about them can have an immense effect on their self-esteem; generally they will carry this into their adulthood. Low self-esteem fuels depression and depression can fuel alcohol abuse. Thus we have the link between bullying and alcohol abuse. Although; boys and girls are both at risk for developing depression as a result of being bullied, girls were linked to the possible link between bullying and alcohol abuse.

Depression, the link between bullying and alcohol abuse

The survey by Jeremy Luk, made clear that the depression of those students had a heavy influence on their desire to use drugs and alcohol. Depression seems to be the link between bullying and alcohol abuse. Drug and alcohol abuse amongst teenagers is a nationwide concern. Abuse of prescription pills, stimulants, club drugs, marijuana and cocaine is continuously being exposed to today’s youth. Additionally bullying is increasing and taking on new forms with advancing technology. Bullying can’t always be prevented but it can be resolved.

How to stop bullying

Bullying is a serious issue that must not be neglected. The outcomes of bullying can include drug and alcohol abuse, crime, depression and, in the most severe case, suicide. Some parents think that their youth would never use drugs but, with bullying and peer pressure, youth are pushed to try drugs. Kids want to be accepted by others and when their peers tell them that they need to join in the “fun,” youth don’t want to be left out or alienated.

Parents, teachers, coaches and other adults need to recognize that bullying occurs often and that looking for signs of possible bullying will help to decrease the rate of bullying. All issues surrounding the cause of the bullying should be approached equally, because all youth deserve to be helped. Listen to your youth and stop the bullying.

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110119120539.htm

http://www.emaxhealth.com/4233/substance-abuse-risk-factor-girls-who-are-bullied

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