Alcohol is by far the most used and abused drug among America's teenagers, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. While it is common for teens to experiment with alcohol, there are many negative consequences to this experimentation, one of which is the potential for alcoholism. Understanding some basics about teen alcoholism may help adolescents and their families navigate safely through this stage of life.
Time Frame
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that the average age of first use of alcohol is about 14. Early drinking can have catastrophic consequences and lead kids down a path toward alcoholism. Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is five times more likely for teens who start drinking before the age of 15, and of the 20 million adults in the U.S. who abuse alcohol, over 50 percent started heavy drinking during their teen years, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Binge Drinking
Consuming more than seven drinks per week for women or 14 drinks per week for men, or drinking more than three or four drinks in one sitting, is binge drinking, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Binge drinking tends to begin in the early teen years and continues to increase during adolescence before peaking between the ages of 18 and 22. Teens that binge drink regularly may struggle to achieve important milestones such as gainful employment, completion of a degree and financial independence.
Drinking Kills
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry estimates that each year that more than 10,000 minors die in alcohol-related car wrecks. In fact, alcohol plays a major role in the top three causes of teen death: car crashes, homicides and suicides.
Risk Factors
Alcohol experimentation among teens is common, and KidsHealth.org states that most teens try it out of curiosity, because of peer pressure and to feel good. Those teens at risk for catapulting from experimentation to alcoholism usually possess certain risk factors, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. These can include kids who are suffering from depression, low self-esteem or a sense that they don't fit in or belong. A family history of substance abuse is also a risk factor.
Warning Signs
There are many emotional, physical and environmental red flags that appear when a teen has become dependent on alcohol. Physically speaking, be on the lookout for constant health complaints, red eyes and a persistent cough. Signs of depression that can lead to alcohol use include sudden and wide ranging mood swings, loss of interest in activities, school performance, family relationships and friendships. Children who are abusing alcohol often "dump" their old friends and start to socialize with new friends who engage in abusive and rule-breaking habits.
Treatment
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are several things that families should look for in a teen treatment program. Because younger teens have different developmental needs from older teens, treatment should never group all teens together. For this same reason, treatment should never mix adult clients with teens.
Treatment can range from various forms of outpatient treatment to round-the-clock residential inpatient programs. The duration of inpatient programs can vary from one month to one year depending on the level of substance abuse and the possibility of a co-existing mental health condition.
Family therapy is a critical part of any teen alcohol abuse treatment program in order to improve family member communications and identify dysfunctional patterns that may exist.
