If you’re a parent of a teenager, you might be worried about their alcohol use.
You may even think that your child is abusing alcohol if they have been drinking heavily or acting like they are drunk.
If this is the case, then it’s important to know what teen alcohol abuse actually is and how it can affect your child in the long term.
Here we explore everything you need to know about teen alcohol abuse treatment:
how it affects teenagers and adults differently; how to treat it; and how to help your child who may have an addiction problem.
Headlines
What is teen alcohol abuse?
It’s important to know the warning signs of alcohol abuse. If you or your teen is struggling with alcohol, it’s time to seek help.
The most common warning sign for teens is when they begin drinking as a means of dealing with stress or anxiety. Other signs include:
- Drinking until passing out at least once a month
- Getting into trouble at school or work because of their drinking
- Missing school, work, or other obligations because of their drinking
What are the symptoms of teen alcohol abuse?
The first sign that your teen is abusing alcohol is when they begin drinking at a young age.
Most experts believe that drinking before the age of 15 can be harmful to a child’s brain development and emotional health, so if you notice your teen frequently consuming alcohol, it may be time to talk with them about their habits and where they’re getting the alcohol from.
Another warning sign is when your child begins using alcohol in secret. This can include sneaking drinks at home or hiding bottles or cans around the house so no one will find them (which could result in accidental poisoning).
If this sounds like something your child has done, don’t wait another day before approaching him or her about their behavior—it could save his life!
A third indication of teen alcohol abuse involves excessive drinking on more than one occasion.
If there are signs that your teen has been binge drinking multiple times during the week (e.g., finding empty beer bottles in his backpack), then it’s very likely he’ll need professional help soon before things get worse for him down the road…
Who does teen alcohol abuse affect?
- Teenage alcohol abuse is not a disease that affects only a certain type of person. In fact, it’s possible for anyone—no matter how old they are or where they come from—to have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- However, most teenagers who struggle with AUD have the following characteristics:
o They’re male
o They live at home with their parents or other family members
o Their parents or other family members have an AUD
How is teen alcohol abuse treated?
The most common form of treatment for teen alcohol abuse is a combination of psychotherapy and medication and alternative medications like ibogaine.
Psychotherapy describes talking therapies that aim to help people better understand why they are using alcohol and learn new ways to avoid using alcohol in the future.
Medication refers to prescription medications that can help reduce cravings for alcohol, stop binge drinking episodes, or prevent relapse into previous bad habits.
Many doctors recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the most effective form of psychotherapy for this condition because it helps patients identify triggers for their behavior and learn how to deal with these triggers differently than before.
CBT often involves having weekly sessions with a therapist who teaches skills such as problem-solving and self-control.
Medications such as naltrexone may also be used during this process. Other medications can also be prescribed as needed depending on the severity of symptoms.
What are some home remedies for teen alcohol abuse?
You may have heard of some home remedies for teen alcohol abuse. These include:
- Avoidance. Teenagers who drink heavily may also be using drugs and other substances, so if you suspect that your child is abusing alcohol, they probably have other issues as well. If you can reduce their access to alcohol and keep them away from parties where there will be drinking, they won’t have as much opportunity to get into trouble.
- Positive coping mechanisms (healthy ways of dealing with pain). Alcohol is not a good way for teens to manage anger or stress—it only makes those feelings worse in the long run! Try talking with your child about how he or she wants to cope when he/she feels angry or stressed; then help him/her find healthier ways of dealing with those emotions instead of turning to drugs or alcohol.
- Support from family members and friends: The people who are closest to us play an important role in our lives—they can help us make good decisions about what we do every day by setting clear expectations for themselves and by encouraging each other when we’re doing well at sticking up for ourselves
When should I seek medical advice for teen alcohol abuse?
If you or your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- nausea
- vomiting
- blurred vision
- confusion or slurred speech
- unusual behavior (for example, talking loudly, being argumentative)
- blackouts (not remembering what happened during a certain period of time).
Teen alcohol abuse can have serious long-term effects
If you or your child think you may have an alcohol problem, seek professional help.
Alcohol abuse can lead to serious, long-term health problems. Chronic alcohol use can affect the brain and body in many ways.
In the short term, drinking too much alcohol can cause:
- Drunkenness or intoxication
- Loss of balance and coordination (ataxia)
- Impaired speech, vision, and hearing
- Seizures that may lead to coma or death if untreated
Conclusion
So, if you think your teen is abusing alcohol, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If they say no, then ask again in a week or two.
There’s no shame in talking about this stuff so long as you’re doing it with love and concern for their well-being.
And remember: just because your child doesn’t drink now doesn’t mean he or she won’t start later on down the road.
What you do now can help set them up for success later on down the road when it comes time for them to make decisions about what’s right for them!
