Teens and Alcohol

When you think of alcoholism, you may have images of an inebriated old man digging around in the garbage for his next meal. Unfortunately, this image is not the standard; in fact, teens and alcohol are becoming more and more common. Teens experiment with alcohol for many reasons, to feel accepted by their peers, to bolster their confidence and because that is what they see at home. Whatever the reason one thing is certain, alcohol is the number one drug of choice for teenagers.

Dangers of Teens and Alcohol

The dangers of teens and alcohol are not limited to the consumption alone. When teenagers drink, they are more susceptible to risky behaviors. Teenagers are often hurt or even killed in drunken driving accidents and may engage in risky sexual behavior due to lowered inhibitions. The bottom line is there is nothing good to come from the combination of teens and alcohol.

Prevention

Whoever said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure hit the nail on the head. The best thing you can do for your teen is to prevent alcohol or drug use in the first place. The only way a parent or loved one can accomplish this is by being involved.

When the teenage years hit there are a myriad of problems that ensue. A teen is trying to assert their independence by withdrawing from parents and parents are often inclined to let them. Parents figure that this is a rite of passage for teens as they approach adulthood and will withdraw to a small extent themselves. Believe it or not, your teenager needs you more now than they ever did!

Stay involved in your child’s life if you want to prevent problems with alcohol. Teens and alcohol do not have to go hand in hand; moreover, it is not a necessary evil, as they become adults. Talk to your teen about what they are doing, who their friends are, where they are going and when they will be returning.

Watch for signs that something is wrong, if your teen has been a straight A student and all of the sudden their grades are slipping it could be an indication of alcohol or drug use. Also, be aware of sudden changes in friends, if your child has had the same friends for many years and now has dropped them for another crowd this is another red flag.

Teens and alcohol can be a treacherous path to navigate. They may manifest sudden mood changes, depression, weight loss or gain, and a general lack of interest in anything. It is unlikely that they will come to you even when they realize there is a problem, but keep the lines of communication open to them anyway. At some point, you should consider taking your teen to the doctor as alcohol symptoms can also be symptoms of other medical conditions. Teens and alcohol is a growing epidemic but parents many times are the cure, stay active and involved.

I suggest you check out my other guide on suboxone treatment and effects of alcoholism

Teens And Alcohol

drug and alcohol programs for teens

Teens and Alcohol

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