About 3.4% of US teenagers struggle with alcohol use, and at least 36.8% of teenagers have misused drugs by 12th grade. Teens are overly exposed to alcohol and drugs during their teen years, so implementing prevention techniques and discussing the dangers of underage drinking and the dangers of drug use is crucial. If you have a teen who is struggling with alcohol addiction, substance abuse, or the temptation of alcohol, this blog will provide some resources and tools to fight the pull of drugs and alcohol.
What Parents Can Do To Help With Underage Drinking
Parents and guardians are the first line of defense when it comes to drug use and alcohol consumption. Teenagers are often pressured by their peers or irresponsible adults, so it is crucial that you are a person they can trust. Parents should be a safe space for teens to discuss their concerns or ask questions about new challenges they will face.
One of the best ways to help prevent teen alcohol addiction or lower the risk of teens trying illicit drugs is to model healthy behavior. If your teen sees excessive drinking at social events or turning to alcohol for every stressful situation, they will probably make similar choices. Modeling healthy coping skills and promoting other ways to have fun in social settings is a great way to reduce underage drinking.
Offering practical help can be helpful when preventing teenagers from spiraling into unhealthy habits or trying to fit into a new group of friends. While parents shouldn’t encourage underage drinking, they can offer to be a sober driver if teenagers do become intoxicated, or allow them to reach out if they are in a dangerous situation.
Signs Of Teenage Drinking
Looking for signs of underage drinking or substance abuse is the best way to stop it before it escalates. If your teen exhibits multiple signs, it could be a sign of teen alcohol addiction. These are common signs of changes in your teenager’s behavior and consumption.
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Neglecting responsibilities, chores, or obligations
- Frequent mood shifts
- Loss of interest in hobbies and interests
- Unexplained tremors and nausea
- Decrease in school performance
- Changes in social circles or dropping friends
Talking to your teen about challenges in their lives, your concerns about alcohol, and how this can impact their health is a good place to start if you want to prevent further addiction.
Discussing The Health Risks Of Alcohol Addiction
Teens need to know how alcohol and drugs affect their brains and bodies. Discussing these risks with them early on in their teen years can help them understand how damaging these substances can be when they abuse them. Underage drinking can stunt the growth of an adolescent’s brain and can cause several physical ailments in the future.
Alcohol can impair your judgement, making it hard for teens to excel in school, sports, or communicate effectively. Not only can alcohol affect their growth and development, but it can also stunt their emotional growth and prevent them from achieving their goals. Drinking and driving, missing school or sports practices, or having drunk texting conversations can all have negative effects on what a teen is trying to achieve.
Treatment Or Rehabilitation Options
While a teenager can attend a rehab center or treatment facility, this may not be the best option for them. If your teen has taken up frequent drinking or is struggling with substance abuse, you will need to take action to limit temptation and stop the addiction from spiraling further.
Therapy or group discussions can be an effective treatment for someone who is struggling. Worsening mental illness or emotional turmoil is often common when someone struggles with an alcohol addiction, so having someone to discuss with can help improve emotional regulation and promote coping strategies.
Inpatient and outpatient programs help provide a more stable environment for teens struggling with addiction. These programs either house teens or allow them to live at home while going through treatment to stop addictive tendencies. These programs will limit temptation, provide therapy, and provide support while a teen is navigating a challenging world.
Finding Support As A Parent, Teacher, Or Guardian
There are many online forums to support parents or other adults helping a teen with addiction. Learning as much as you can about substance abuse and teen addiction will help you find the best treatment options for your teen.
Some other resources you can go to for support include:
- Teen Safe
- SAMHSA Teen Fact Sheets
- NIDA for Teens
- College Parents Matter
- How To Talk To Teens About Drugs and Alcohol
Addiction Intervention With Red Willow
Red Willow Counseling and Recovery offers multiple options for those struggling with addiction and substance abuse. Our multiple locations offer outpatient treatments, group therapy, intervention and consultation, and more. We are here to help teens, parents, guardians, and adults through every step of the sobriety process, allowing them to take better control of their futures. Red Willow looks forward to working with you and improving your physical and emotional health.
