I am 16 years old and i have recently started drinking roughly about once a week with my friends. I love the feeling but i am aware that it is dangerous and i never go overboard. Will this affect my height or my mental capacity?
2006-10-11 17:13:24 · 13 answers · asked by sssspenser 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
If drinking stunted the height of 16 year-olds -- we would be a nation of midgets.
Drink up.
2006-10-11 17:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by Jay 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was saw a special on drug and alcohol use, and it was said that people can get so they no longer view the world in the colors as they really are but instead may begin to see the world more in gray. It has something to do with something that happens to the brain.
About a year ago there was also a PBS special on the brain, including teenage brains. Science now knows that the prefrontal cortex of a teenager is not finished developing (which is why teens sometimes see things differently than older people) and may not be finished until "early- to mid- twenties". In view of this, I think it may be worth considering holding off on drinking until you're sure your brain isn't developing any longer.
There is, of course, the risk of "loving the feeling" too much and becoming an alcoholic. Not everyone "loves the feeling". You should maybe be concerned about that. Have you ever heard people talk about an alcoholic and say, "He likes his liquor"?
I think you should consider, too, that while you're young and still have growing to do (including your bones and reaching your height potential) you may want to limit the amount of stuff that has no nutritional value at all and may even be hazardous to your development in some way.
Young people who drink run the risk of stunting their emotional development/maturity because they lose valuable maturation time while they're feeling the effects of alcohol. Also, the activity of a bunch of kids getting together and drinking means that the same bunch of kids aren't doing something more beneficial for the same amount of time.
I have never heard it said that alcohol stunts physical growth (but that doesn't mean it can't). I think you should be somewhat concerned, depending, particularly, on how much or how often you drink, about your intellectual grownth.
2006-10-11 17:30:50 · answer #2 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about physical growth, but mental and emotional growth- oh yes, it will. You may only be drinking only once a week RIGHT NOW, but from experience I will tell you that you will progress quickly and you WILL go overboard as well. If you continue, your emotional age will remain where you are whenever you decide to stop drinking. When I got sober, my mind was to the point that I could no longer read, or make sense of the images on the TV screen, I used to have recall at the snap of a finger before I started drinking, but no more. So yes, it does affect your mind, memory and emotional growth.
2006-10-13 01:34:32 · answer #3 · answered by angeleyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wont affect your height. But yes, your mental capacity can be affected. Alcohol kills brain cells. Too much makes you stupid, forgetful, clumsy and smelly(though typically not permanently). Its really good that you know its dangerous. Just dont do anything stupid--remember, even just a couple of drinks, while you may not think so, can hamper you cognitive abilities and reflexes enough to be dangerous in certain situations. STEP AWAY FROM THE HEAVY MACHINERY NOW!! ;)
Drinking lots of water can help counter the affects.
Ah and since minors arent supposed to drink, dont get caught. There can be some crappy consequences.
2006-10-11 18:53:35 · answer #4 · answered by lily_put 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your mental capacity will be affected should you party it up with your buddies all the time as....
the body needs to recoup and needs nourishment not from hopps and such.
why is this a concern? the question, to me, is that the asker feels it may become a real concern and commendable to ask if this is the reason.
you are 16 and peer pressure can be rough. maybe you are busy with your family/chores etc. could be an excuse should you choose to avoid a possible future "issue" with any kind of liquoir/drug.
if one starts to abuse/need a substance of any kind-it should be addressed.
plus...at your age, lies to the parents about what you are doing, and conscequenses for behavior from your nites out with the guys,will really put a damper on your life.
2006-10-11 20:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... I became an alcholic when I was 14. The stuff is addictive.And it kills brain cells the more times to get drunk. Do it sparingly. And maybe not affect your height but have you ever heard of a beer belly?
2006-10-11 18:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heavy drinking will do damage but moderate drinking or even moderate "binge" drinking isn't dangerous in itself. Purely anecdotal but if it did do serious harm then all the countries with lower drinking ages than the US wouldn't be kicking our butts in academics.
2006-10-11 18:04:16 · answer #7 · answered by Ari 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be hazardous to your physical and mental health if you drink to the point of dying in a car accident and such. Or so I heard...
2006-10-11 20:08:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it mostly stunts you're emotional growth and maturity at your age. the more you drink will sooner or later stunt your mental abilities. i know,i haven't had a drink in 20 years
2006-10-11 17:18:13 · answer #9 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes definatly it will effect ,your age is not ,to consume alcohol,it is better to take fruit juice.
when u r age 35 or more u can take alcohol in your limit ,it will work as a medicine for u
2006-10-11 19:16:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋