Teenage Alcohol Abuse

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          Alcohol is by far the drug of choice among adolescents. It is the most used and abused mood-altering substance among pre-teens and teenaged children.Some parents breathe a sign of relief when they find their child is "just" drinking alcohol and not using drugs, but it is a myth that alcohol is a "better" drug. Alcohol abuse, drunk driving, and alcohol-related diseases take a major toll on our society, and children who begin drinking at a young age are at much higher risk of developing problems.

            Some studies suggest that there could be as many as four million alcoholics under the age of 18, three years younger than the legal drinking age. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 40% of ninth-graders report that they tried alcohol before the age of 13 and had used alcohol within the past month. Statistics clearly show that the younger a child is when he or she begins drinking the more likely they are to develop problems with alcohol as adults. According to a report in the Journal of Substance Abuse, more than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 13 will develop alcohol abuse problems later in life.

            If children view alcohol in a positive light, they are more likely to drink at a younger age. Children who start drinking at a young age are more likely to experiment later with illegal drugs. Yet, many children report that although they learn early on about the dangers of drugs, many do not learn about the dangers of drinking alcohol (The Weekly Reader National Survey on Drugs and Alcohol.)
 
            Children who have strong communication with their parents are less likely to drink. Children whose parents set clear rules and expectations are less likely to use alcohol. Children whose parents discipline them when they break the rules are also less likely to use alcohol.
 
            If you have a child that is abusing alcohol at any age please call 1-877-744-3536. We can help you talk to your child and understand how to get the treatment they need, call today.
 
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