Teen Alcohol Addiction

Today, teen alcohol addiction problems are a major concern for many parents across the country. Why do teens drink alcohol? Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are: curiosity, to feel good, reduce stress, to relax, to fit in, and to feel older. From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially - having beer or wine with dinner, for example alcohol seems harmless to many teens.

Many youth begin drinking at early ages, putting themselves at great risk for alcohol problems later in life. Almost one-third of teenagers report having had their first drink (more than a few sips) before their 13th birthday. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), youth who drink before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. For each year's delay in initiation of drinking, the likelihood of later alcohol abuse problems decreases markedly. Girls are drinking at earlier ages. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, in 1995, 31 percent of girls used alcohol for the first time between the ages of 10-14, compared to 7 percent in 1965.

Teenagers fail to appreciate the serious consequences that can result from alcohol abuse and addiction. While teens often view alcohol use as casual way to have fun, there are many physical and emotional consequences of teen alcohol abuse. By abusing drugs and alcohol, teens are putting themselves and those around them in danger. Some of the physical consequences of teen alcohol addiction include liver damage, brain damage, cancer, and immune system problems.

Teen alcohol addiction is especially dangerous for adolescents because alcohol abuse can hinder the development of a teenager' brain. Teenagers are at an important point in their brain development, and the abuse of alcohol can damage this brain development. This brain damage can result in a variety of mental and emotional problems later in life.

Teen alcohol addiction can also result in a variety of dangerous behaviors that can put teenagers at risk for serious injury, or even death. When teens are under the influence of alcohol, they are much more likely to engage in dangerous activities such as drinking and driving, or engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex. Because alcohol hinders judgment, a normally level-headed and practical teen can make bad decisions that can permanently change their lives and the lives of others.

While many teens see alcohol use as a way to have fun at parties or to fit in with their peers, there are much more serious consequences that are a result of this seemingly harmless choice to drink. Not only do teens put their health at risk, but they may also be putting their lives, and their futures, at risk.

How can you prevent teen alcohol addiction? Develop family rules about teen drinking. When parents establish clear "no alcohol" rules and expectations, their children are less likely to begin drinking. While each family should develop agreements about teen alcohol use that reflect their own beliefs and values, some possible family rules about drinking are:

• Kids will not drink alcohol until they are 21.
• Kids will not ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
• Kids will not stay at teen parties where alcohol is served.
• Older siblings will not encourage younger brothers or sisters to drink and will not give them alcohol.

Once you have chosen rules for your family, you will need to establish appropriate consequences for breaking those rules. Be sure to choose a penalty that you are willing to carry out. Also, don't make the consequences so harsh that they become a barrier to open communication between you and your teen. The idea is to make the penalty "sting" just enough to make your child think twice about breaking the rule. A possible consequence might be temporary restrictions on your child's socializing. Finally, you must be prepared to consistently enforce the consequences you have established. If your children know that they will lose certain privileges each and every time an alcohol use rule is broken, they will be more likely to keep their agreements.