Alcohol abuse is a serious problem for individuals representing varying ages and backgrounds. Unfortunately for some people, such behavior may begin as early as their teenage years.
If not properly addressed, teen alcohol abuse could precipitate a host of significant health and social concerns carrying the potential to plague dependents well into their adult lives. Ergo, the parents and other close relations or such youths are urged to look out for specific signs indicating the presence of potential issues.
Reasons Teen Alcoholism Is So Prevalent
Researchers have found that millions of American teens abuse alcohol each year and more than other drugs. Said professionals maintain such facts are true for reasons including:
- The ease with which teens can access alcohol
- Alcohol’s inexpensive cost compared to other common designer drugs
- Peer pressure
- Their parents and other closely associated adults consume alcohol on a relatively consistent basis and at important events like family gatherings and professional meetings
Moreover, alcohol use is often glorified. Numerous media advertisements singing the praises of various types of alcoholic beverages can be readily viewed.
Potential Health Impacts
Healthcare providers caution that alcohol abuse in teenagers could actually exercise an even greater negative influence on said subjects than adult addicts.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and could significantly influence brain development and function. A teenager’s brain is not fully developed. Therefore, continued heavy alcohol consumption can inhibit development to such an extent that the user experiences any number of cognitive or mental disorders as they grow older.
Additionally, many of those researching alcohol’s impact on teens maintain that youths engaging in such actions also stand at an increased risk of other potentially detrimental problems like:
- Needless risk taking
- Driving while intoxicated
- Practicing unsafe sex
- Ingesting other potent illicit materials
Furthermore, chronic excessive alcohol intake could weaken the function of several pertinent bodily systems, such as the cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, and endocrine tracts.
Signs A Teen Has Alcohol Addiction
Every case is different. Certain addicts are better at concealing dependencies than others. However, teens abusing alcohol often exhibit specific common behaviors including:
Deteriorating Physical Appearance
Over time, addiction takes it toll on the user’s body. In such instances, said individuals might display any number of telltale physical indicators, such as red, bloodshot eyes, speech problems, and unusual fatigue or tiredness.
Moreover, the dependent might also display a disheveled, unkempt appearance and actually smell of alcohol both on their breath and emanating from the pores of their skin. In addition, the subject in question may lose weight and exhibit and thin, generally unhealthy look.
Change In Associations
Teens in the throes of alcohol dependency often end association with past friends and acquaintances and adopt a whole new crowd of relations. Typically, these new interactions are individuals who the user drinks with or presides over gatherings where alcohol will be plentiful.
Withdrawal And Isolation
Teens who abuse alcohol often resort to social withdrawal and isolation. Researchers partly attribute this on alcohol’s impact on the brain and subsequent related behaviors. However, such actions could also be used as a defense mechanism enabling dependents to hide their addictions from concerned loved ones.
Appreciable Mood Changes
It has been readily established that alcohol exercises a negative influence over mood. Chronic users may display moodiness, defiance, attitude, anger, and emotional outbursts.
Addiction specialists strongly urge those closely associated with a young person not to merely dismiss such behavior as teen angst. In a solid percentage of cases, unusual or continually changing moods indicate the presence of alcohol usage.
Lack Of Interest
Teens falling deeper into alcohol dependency often lose interest in activities, hobbies, or other pursuits they once enjoyed. Therefore, if youths under scrutiny suddenly lose their desire to participate in sports, attend sporting events, socialize, or engage in any other endeavors they used to like, parents or family members should view this as a major red flag worthy of further investigation.
Declining Academic Performance
Alcohol abuse will often adversely influence a teen’s scholastic performance. Alcohol addiction often clouds one’s cognitive functions like memory and concentration. Ergo, it should not be surprising that youths with dependencies often witness a precipitous drop in their grade point average.
Frequent Illness
Illness is a sometimes overlooked but potentially important indicator of teen alcohol usage. The continual ingestion of adult beverages can interfere with proper nutrition and one’s ability to receive adequate rest. Said events could weaken the dependent’s immune system resulting in frequent nagging ailments like upper respiratory infections.
Contacting Us
Those related to a teen they believe might have an alcohol problem are encouraged to contact us at 833-680-0165. Our experienced team of addiction specialists possess significant experience helping young people identify the root causes of and overcome said dependencies.