Teen Alcohlism
It is common for people to experiment with alcohol and drugs during their adolescent stage. However, it is sad that teenagers frequently don’t pay attention to the connection between their actions today and the penalties tomorrow. They tend to feel as though they are exempt and immune to the issues that plague others. Because of this mentality, before you know it teen alcoholism often develops.
Consuming alcohol and tobacco during the adolescent stage has adverse health effects. While some teens stop at the experimentation stage, or continue to use only every now and then, without major problems; others will start growing dependent on drugs and alcohol, transitioning on to more serious drugs and causing much harm to themselves and maybe others. It is hard to know which teenagers will experiment and cease using drugs and which will develop severe issues. But you can get an idea of which teens are at risk for developing teen alcoholism and drug problems.
Teens who are from families with a family history of alcohol abuse, teens who are depressed, teens who lack self-esteem, and teens who feel alienated or like they don't fit in are vulnerable to alcoholism. Teenagers tend to abuse different types of drugs, legal and illegal. Legal drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants such as fumes from aerosols, glues, and solvents, and over-the-counter medications such as cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications. The most frequently used illicit drugs are marijuana (weed), stimulants such as cocaine, crack, and speed, LSD, PCP, opiates, heroin, and Ecstasy and other club drugs. Although the use of illicit drugs is rising, particularly among young teens, teen alcoholism is still rampant. The typical age of first marijuana use is 14; however alcohol use can start as early as before 12 years old.
Marijuana and alcohol use in high school has become frequent. Drug use causes a host of adverse consequences, including the elevated chance of severe drug use in later life, failing in school, and distorted judgment, which can result in accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide among teens.To help prevent teen alcoholism and drug abuse, parents should talk to their children about drugs and alcohol use. Using open communication, role modeling, responsible behavior, and knowing how to spot emerging drug and alcohol related issues in their teens can help parents to utilize more effective strategies when dealing with teen addiction.
There are several warning signs of teen alcoholism. This includes the physical aspect such as tiredness, constant health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a persistent cough. The emotional signs include personality change, sudden mood switches, agitation, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, impaired judgment, depression, and lack of interest. They may also start arguments with family members, break rules, or withdraw from the family. In school, they may show declining interest, negative attitude, failing grades, plenty of absences, and discipline issues.
