Alcohol Abuse in Teens

Alcohol is the most common used drugs by teenagers in the USA. However, alcohol can have many dangerous effects after its use in teens, which include:

• Loss of ability to pay attention
• Car crashes due to drinking
• Increased likelihood to develop problems with alcohol the younger the drinking starts
• An increased likelihood in unprotected sex or sex with strangers
• Increased suicide rates

Risk Factors in Teen Alcohol Abuse

The likelihood of developing a drinking problem is often linked to family factors. This includes the supervision of the parents as well as conflict in the family, the levels of discipline enforced on the child (which may be very low or could be inconsistent). Problems are also more likely if there is a history of drug or alcohol abuse in the family. Other factors may be down to the individual, and can include emotional stability and impulse control.

Symptoms and Treatment of Teen Alcohol Abuse

Common symptoms will include teens breaking their curfew, staying in their rooms, smelling of alcohol, frequent mood swings and any changes in their social life such as their friends.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, at any age, can result in alcohol poisoning. This is dangerous and is potentially fatal. It happens when the body’s functions are slowed down by alcohol (including the heart rate and breathing) which can lead to the person’s heart stopping, they stop breathing, or even death.

If a teen has been poisoned by alcohol then they must be treated immediately. This will involve monitoring as well as replacing lost fluids and making sure that the previously mentioned effects can be avoided.