Developing Health Issues Young Due to Alcoholism

Recently there was an article written in the UK about a 26-year-old man who needs a liver transplant due to his alcoholism. Matt Maden was 10 years old when he started drinking and was getting drunk regularly by age 15. He had become an isolated alcoholic recluse before the age of 21. At age 21 Maden was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and now he is on the list for a liver transplant which can take up to 18 months. Maden must have drunk copious amounts of alcohol in order to have developed cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 21. Science Daily reports that a research study is being done in Sweden regarding the media influence on young people. Specifically, it will examine the relationship between media habits, alcohol consumption of young people ages 15-25 and alcoholism. In addition to the media, undergraduate college life is also characterized by binge drinking, tailgating, drink specials and drinking games. It is scary to think about the development of alcohol-related health issues happening to a younger age group over time due to these practices. Maden’s development of cirrhosis is definitely from alcohol, however, it is unknown if media and the college lifestyle were contributing factors.