Alcohol Rehab - Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Probably the most significant effect of early onset alcohol abuse and the one parents need to best understand is that when teens start drinking regularly they stop developing emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
With successful treatment and future abstinence they are often able to return to the growth level attained prior to drinking and then to move forward.
Alcohol use among teenagers has been increasing steadily over the decades and seems to mark a "rite of passage" for children as early as during the middle school years. By the high school years the vast majority of teens has at least experimented with alcohol and a growing number report regular usage. It is regularly found to be involved in teenage auto fatalities and episodes of violence.
All states in this country observe the twenty first birthday as an introduction to the legal use of alcohol. There is some semblance of folk wisdom in this now universal regulation because it is based on established scientific fact. It is generally accepted that the brains of adolescents are not well enough developed to normally process alcohol. They tend to be impulsive and at times reckless and will typically consume alcohol in amounts that lead to defects in ability to function.Teenagers with a family history of alcoholism are especially vulnerable to becoming addicted to alcohol. Studies indicate that the disease of alcoholism is genetically driven and that the sons of alcoholic fathers have an exceedingly high probability of becoming alcoholic themselves. There are similar although not as definitive findings for the grandsons of male alcoholics. Similar but not as significant probabilities are found for sons and alcoholic mothers and daughters and alcoholic fathers.
There is also a substantial likelihood that children who live in homes where alcohol is regularly consumed will become alcohol abusers.
Many well intentioned or "with it" parents reinforce the abuse of alcohol in their teenagers by sending "mixed messages" about drinking. They permit "keg parties" during graduation or birthday celebrations and may leave such gatherings without adult supervision. They may suggest that drinking is permissible as long as their child does not drive. They may even reinforce the permissibility of drinking by removing car keys from teenagers and arranging for them to remain overnight at the party location.
Particularly in more affluent communities, professionals have been observing a growing pattern of parental unwillingness to admit the possibility of drug and alcohol abuse in their children.
The message from parents to teens regarding alcohol should be plain and consistent: "Drinking under any circumstances is strictly prohibited."Signs of alcohol abuse:
Teenagers may show irritability and restlessness, depressiveness, appetite disturbances, sleep problems, a falling off of interest in school and family, be easily moved to anger and sudden mood changes. Extensive and prolonged use will reveal the obvious signs of inebriation and often leads to gastrointestinal problems and weight changes. Additionally, accident proneness may accompany longer- term abuse of alcohol. Pediatricians conducting annual school examinations should be alert to any of these signs and not be concerned about asking pointed questions about alcohol use.
Alcohol use is detectable via urine analysis and atypical elevations of certain blood test indicators.
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