Sober living
9 signs your teen is struggling with substance abuse
Your county’s health department probably has substance abuse services and is another good source for information. The county agency may be called “alcohol and drug programs” or “behavioral health” or it may be in a mental health services division. A call to the county health agency’s general information number should point you in the right direction. Signs of teenage alcohol abuse can include problems at school or at home. According to experts, teens who engage in underage drinking may act rebelliously or begin spending time with new groups of friends.
Do I Need 12-Step Program for Alcohol?
A teen who is under the influence of alcohol may appear to be confused, slur their speech, have bloodshot eyes, or find it difficult to stay steady on their feet. He ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but didn’t say what those measures should be. In getting help for a child who drinks, the first thing to do is to try not to blame yourself or your child. The important thing is to act now to find the best available services to help your child stop using alcohol and begin building an alcohol-free future.
Ep. 15 – How to Talk With Teens About Drugs & Alcohol
In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and they continued to promote it even after fluoride toothpaste brands hit the market several years later. The conversation should go both ways, so listen to what your children have to say about alcohol and substance use. Outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a treatable, chronic disease that is diagnosed based on an teenage alcoholism individual meeting certain criteria to merit a diagnosis. Teenagers who are abusing alcohol may also show alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they aren’t drinking, or they may find that they need to drink more and more to achieve the same effects. In addition, they may drink to the point of putting themselves in danger, such as becoming drunk and then driving home. These could include the presence of alcohol or empty alcohol containers among a teen’s belongings.
Signs of Teen Alcohol Abuse
- Teenage alcohol abuse is a severe health condition in which a person’s drinking habits become excessive.
- In addition, some adolescents resort to stealing alcohol, either from parents or from stores.
- According to one study, teens may access alcohol when parents provide it on vacation or special occasions.
Take action against excessive underage drinking by having frank discussions with the teens in your life about the dangers of alcohol use and the prevalence of addiction. If a teen you love struggles with substance abuse, seek professional support in the form of a teen substance abuse treatment program as soon as possible. Drinking alcohol in excess, especially at a young age, is extremely dangerous because it alters brain chemistry and makes it difficult for the body and mind to develop in a healthy manner.
- Before talking with your child, make sure you have the facts straight.
- Teenagers who are abusing alcohol may also show alcohol withdrawal symptoms when they aren’t drinking, or they may find that they need to drink more and more to achieve the same effects.
- However, most adolescents don’t have the developmental maturity or coping skills to stop using alcohol independently and require structured support.
- In addition, they may drink to the point of putting themselves in danger, such as becoming drunk and then driving home.
- If you are concerned about your teen’s drinking, The Recovery Village has a team of caring professionals ready to answer your questions and provide information about resources and treatment services.
A teen who is abusing alcohol may become detached from the family, struggle academically or begin to lose interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as sports and clubs. Teens who drink may also get in trouble at school or appear tired and sluggish. Many factors can play a part in the development of teen substance abuse. These factors can e family dynamics, peer pressure, and the stress that comes with living anywhere alcohol is readily available. If you think that a teen you love may be struggling with alcohol addiction, professional support is usually the best option. If a teen you love has changed drastically over a short period of time, begun to withdraw suddenly, or started to get in trouble, look for signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse.
Among adolescents who consume alcohol, 90% of alcohol consumption is in the form of binge drinking. Furthermore, those who drink underage consume larger quantities of alcohol in one sitting when compared to adults. Last month, a federal agency determined “with moderate confidence” that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. The National Toxicology Program based its conclusion on studies involving fluoride levels at about twice the recommended limit for drinking water. Speaking openly about alcohol abuse with your teen can prevent abuse and addiction. Just because someone has been drinking does not mean they will become addicted to alcohol.