Teen Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism on the Rise
We live in a world where stresses are mounting, schedules are tightening, and people are losing jobs. This has led many adults to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for the stress their life. The sad fact is that children are drinking, too, and the outcome is anything but a stress reliever. According to a recent report by the PR Newswire, nearly 30 percent of middle school students, age 12 to 17 report drug and alcohol use in their school.
This unfortunate trend only sets the stage for teenagers to grow up to be alcohol abusers, it also affects their performance in school and ultimately, their ability to think and learn. Schools that are plagued with drugs have easy access to alcohol. Teenagers can obtain alcohol in school, often in less than 24 hours, news sources say.
The fact that so many adults are drinking alcohol for stress makes many teens think it’s okay to drink and take other drugs. Many illicit drugs can be obtained just as easily. With the abundance and availability of alcohol, teens are more likely to become addicted to multiple drugs. If they become addicted to alcohol, they get the high off of being drunk. This impairs judgment and may stunt the growth of their already developing brains.
Alcohol abuse is more prevalent in public school systems, but private schools are vulnerable, too.
Despite years of research and drug and alcohol resistance programs being offered in schools, the growing acceptability of drugs in the media is doing little to curb teenage alcohol and drug abuse. This is according to Addiction Recovery, a website that seeks to help those who are addicted to drugs.
In the 1990s, D.A.R.E., short for drug abuse resistance education, sought to educate and discourage teens from using drugs. However, the media’s glorification of alcohol and drug abuse has reversed society’s attitudes toward alcohol consumption and addiction. You can’t keep your child from media exposure, but you can help your teen develop values. Encourage your child to set goals and find something to be passionate about.
Talking to Your Teen
Rather than telling your child they should absolutely not drink, give them statistics. Show them websites with facts showing how many teens die from drinking alcohol each year. The unfortunate fact is that many teens will do it, simply because they are told not to. Rather than lecture them about how dangerous it is, educate them about the realities of alcohol and drug addiction.
Ask your child if he or she wants to end up like that. Give him or her the opportunity to ask questions. Answer them honestly, showing sensitivity rather than contempt. Another way to keep your teen from drinking is to limit your consumption. Drink only once in a while, but don’t do it in front of your child. Children learn by example. The best thing you can do is be a good role model for your kid.
Take time out of each day to talk about your child’s day at school. He or she may not want to talk about school, but make it a point to talk each day. Keep the lines of communication open. Keep your kid informed about the dangers of alcohol and ultimately, addiction.
