Study Says Teens With Large Social Networks More Prone to Drink

Adolescents with large social network of friends are more prone to drink alcoholic beverages, finds study.

The findings suggest that, in addition to well-established demographic risk factors like age, race, and team sports, adolescents are at heightened risk of alcohol use onset because of their position in the social network.

Alcohol Use Disorder | Alcoholism
Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism is an inability to control drinking. It can cause short term and long term physical, as well as psychological effects on the patient.

The study also found that closer proximity to more popular individuals was a factor in drinking initiation.

"In this study, adolescents in higher density school networks were more likely to initiate alcohol use," according to Marlon P. Mundt, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

"More dense networks exhibit more interconnected clusters that magnify the spread of influence. Notably, the results come to light in view of computer simulations showing that more dense networks amplify the dynamics of influence cascades," he added.

Quiz on Alcohol
Alcohol consumption for recreation and relaxation has become a universal culture. But do you think you know enough about this drink – Take this quiz and find out.

The findings suggest that potentially limiting the size of adolescent groupings may have a positive effect on delaying alcohol initiation.

The study has been published in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

Alcohol - Benefits and Harms
Alcohol consumption continues to play an important role in many social and religious celebrations.However,serious risks are also associated with it!

Source-ANI

Teen Drinking is Never 'Just a Phase'
A new study of Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) has found that problem drinking during adolescence is never just a phase.