As drinking is so prevalent in Western society, the ramifications and dangers are not always immediately visible. Many of us have experienced hangovers in our lives or have faced a difficult day at work following a night of heavy drinking. While this is usually rare and easily overcome, those who abuse alcohol may find that they experience these negative effects more frequently. This can lead to serious health implications as well as damaging other aspects of life, and for some, it may lead to alcohol dependence or alcoholism.
How common is underage drinking?
For further resources, explore related articles such as don’t keep child addiction a secret and how to help addicted parent. Underage drinking poses a range of risks and negative consequences. Teens who consume alcohol may face legal issues, as using alcohol before the legal age is illegal and can result in significant legal ramifications. Moreover, alcohol use can lead to aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. As children grow into teenagers, they often experience challenging physical and emotional changes. Many young people start experimenting with alcohol during this time.
- They try to do this in manners that challenge authority, particularly the close authority figures they have followed most of their lives, such as teachers and parents.
- Instead, you might try pointing out your reservations about the friend in a caring, supportive way.
- Most of the time, they use hiding places in their room to stash their alcohol.
- When the body is overwhelmed by a toxic amount of alcohol, it can severely affect vital functions.
How to Stop Spending Addiction
Recent statistics indicate that although teen alcohol use has decreased in recent years, it remains the most commonly abused substance among adolescents. Currently, 7.9% of girls report alcohol use compared to 6.0% of boys, with binge drinking rates at 4.5% for girls versus 3.3% for boys 2. If needed, don’t hesitate to seek treatment for your child’s mental health or a substance abuse problem.
Mind-Body Connection: How Physical Health Affects Addiction Recovery
Many parents discovered an alcohol problem when they found alcohol in their son’s or daughter’s room. Hiding places could be inside cushions, under the bed, behind shelves, in empty suitcases, and more. You can also look in the recycling bins to see if more trash has accumulated or if there are empty bottles or cans that you know are not yours. There may be other clues that your teen may be abusing alcohol that are not directly related to their physical/social/emotional well being. For example, be aware of your own personal supply of alcohol if you have any at home. Teens may not have the funds to get their own alcohol, so any missing alcohol or any missing money are signs to watch out for as well.
- Your young teen may try to dodge the discussion, and you yourself may feel unsure about how to proceed.
- It is a mistaken notion to assume that children and adolescents are simply miniature versions of adults.
- Even if your child is not yet drinking alcohol, he or she may be receiving pressure to drink.
- This often occurs within a sober environment, where teens can focus on recovery without the distraction of their previous lifestyles.
Parents should set a responsible example, illustrating healthy drinking habits if they consume alcohol at all. It’s crucial that they do not provide access to alcohol for their children. Encouraging participation in activities that do not involve alcohol Substance Abuse In College Students can also instill healthier choices in teens 2. However, it’s still important to take underage drinking seriously. Make sure your child knows that it can’t keep happening and pay attention to repeated behaviors. Read about the mental health challenges facing teenagers at Healthline and Psych Central’s Youth In Focus series, which shares useful tips, resources, and support.
- Explore substance use treatment plan facets and build a strong foundation for addiction recovery in Kansas.
- However, it’s still important to take underage drinking seriously.
In challenging moments, parents should encourage teens to seek help and facilitate access to resources that support their well-being. By taking these steps, parents can help safeguard their children’s future against alcoholism. For further insights, see our article on how to help addicted parent.
Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours.