A simple walk with the dog to clear the mind.
Teens today often have drug and alcohol problems that affect their current life, rarely thinking about future events. There are many negative outcomes to alcohol and drug abuse but this next one may not be as well known. From an article titled “Alcoholics Have Flawed Perception of Memory Abilities” by Selena Chavis, a study reveals that alcohol can have a greater effect on memory than just a “blackout” or slower thinking during the “hang-over” period and have long reaching effects on memory and our retention.
It is common for a heavy drinker to have difficulties remembering things that occur while they are drinking but this new research is linking alcohol consumption with memory tasks even when not drinking. Even worse is that individuals are not even realizing they are losing their ability to remember and instead overestimate their abilities. A good example is with needing a list while shopping. We use this list to remember items but more important is that we KNOW we need that list to remember. Individuals with alcohol problems may have need for that list but often DO NOT realize they need it, thinking they can remember the items on their own and therefore forget items.
Another item pointed out in the study was that individuals with alcohol problems encounter difficulty in memory retention from learning. Simply stated a student with alcohol problems will study the material and thinking they have retained the information, will take an exam and perform poorer than expected. They did the work but because they have a greater difficulty with memory retention, will often misjudge their abilities. This situation may be a contributing factor to increased frustration and lack of desire / willingness to learn. We can also go back to our shopping list example and realize that people with alcohol problems will actually have a greater need for a list.
This new concept sheds a great deal of light on young adults today. Age and length of time drinking are two of the factors that affect memory over the long run so by starting earlier and invariably drinking longer teens are increasing their chances of memory problems. Even worse is the uncertainty of being able to “get back” the ability to remember / retain information.
