|
| |
| |
To download
a printable version of this page, click
here. |
| |
Alcohol:
Your Child and Drugs |
| |
Children are challenged
at younger ages than ever before to try drugs. Use of tobacco, marijuana,
and cocaine are serious problems. However, one of the most abused drugs in
our society is alcohol. Alcohol is a drug because it acts as a depressant on
the nervous system and is very addictive. Though it’s illegal for people
under age 21 to drink, we all know that most teenagers are no strangers to
alcohol. Many of them are introduced to alcohol during childhood.
| |
Why parents should worry
 |
About 1 out of 5 fifth
graders have been drunk. |
|
Four out of 10
sixth graders say there is pressure from other students to drink. |
|
Nearly 80% of
high school seniors report having used alcohol. |
| |
Alcohol is often the first drug that
young people try. Some parents may breathe a sigh of relief when they find
out their teen is "only" drinking alcohol. Since alcohol is legal and found
in most American homes, parents may think it isn’t dangerous. Not true.
Alcohol can be very harmful.
Childhood drinking
begins early, often between 11 and 13 years of age, and sometimes even
younger. Alcohol is often called a "gateway drug." When young people like
the feeling they get from alcohol, they may be interested in trying other
drugs later. This can lead to multiple drug use, which is very dangerous.
The use of
alcohol, by itself or with other drugs, can harm your child’s normal growth
and development.
Even if a teenager only drinks
occasionally, intoxicated behavior can be lethal. Just one drink can impair
decision-making and slow down reaction time in any situation. Alcohol is
linked with a variety of risky behaviors, such as:
| |
|
Crime and
serious violence |
|
Early
sexual activity, multiple partners, sexually transmitted diseases
including AIDS, and unintended teenage pregnancy |
|
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome—Drinking
during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with major birth defects.
No one knows exactly how much alcohol is too much during pregnancy, but
the more a mother drinks, the greater the risk to her baby. |
|
Drunk
driving—It is the leading cause of death for young adults, aged 15
to 24 years. In one study, an estimated 6% to 14% of drivers under 21
years of age who were stopped at roadside checkpoints had been drinking.
This age group makes up only one fifth of the licensed drivers in the
United States, yet they are involved in almost half of all fatal car
crashes. |
|
Why young people drink
Young people drink
alcohol for a variety of reasons.
-
Curiosity—They
have heard that getting drunk is fun and they want to find out for
themselves.
-
They see
drinking as a "rite of passage"—something to be experienced on the
way to adulthood.
-
To get
drunk—This explains why they often drink until they are out of
control. Binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks in a row for
males, four for females) is alarmingly common. Sixteen percent of 8th
graders, 25% of 10th graders, and 30% of seniors have reported binge
drinking.
-
To fit in
with friends who are already using alcohol.
-
To feel
relaxed and to boost self-confidence.
-
To escape
problems, such as depression, family conflict, trouble in school or
with boyfriend or girlfriend.
| |
Stages of alcohol use
The same pattern
of use and abuse exists for alcohol as with other drugs such as marijuana or
cocaine. Experts have noted the following stages of alcohol use:
Stage 1:
Experimenting with alcohol—There may be strong peer pressure to use alcohol
"just for fun" and to be part of the group. Most use happens on weekends.
There often is no change in behavior between uses.
Stage 2:
Actively seeking alcohol—Alcohol is used to produce good feelings during
times of stress. Usage occurs during the week. Schoolwork may suffer.
Changes in behavior may include:
| |
|
An increase
in time spent alone |
|
A decline in
communication with family members, frequent arguing, and a high level
of secretiveness |
|
Changes in
dress and grooming |
|
Changes in
choice of friends |
|
Repeated or
unexplained injuries or fights |
|
Poor
sleeping habits and a lack of energy |
|
Irregular
eating habits |
|
Bloodshot
eyes |
|
Mood
changes, including irritability and depression |
|
Running away
from home |
|
Attempting
suicide |
| |
Keep in mind that
some of these symptoms occur from time to time in normal, non-alcohol-using
teens, and none alone is proof of alcohol or drug use. However, a
combination of any of the above symptoms may signal a problem.
Stage 3:
Preoccupation with alcohol—There is an almost total loss of control over the
use of alcohol. Attempts to limit alcohol use at this stage can cause
withdrawal symptoms of depression, moodiness, and irritability. Alcoholic
beverages may disappear from the home. There is a danger of turning to other
drugs or stronger forms of liquor. Family possessions may also disappear as
the alcohol user seeks money to support his habit. There may be trouble with
the law for these same reasons.
| |
The good news
Most adolescents
never move beyond the first stage of alcohol use. Whether they do or not
depends for the most part on their personality, their family, and their
community. For those who do move to the advanced stages, the entire process
can take months or years. Many young people and adults receive help too
late. This is why early detection is so important.
| |
How to prevent alcohol use and
abuse
As with any
disease, prevention is the best treatment. Parents must learn the facts
about teen alcohol use and abuse to help their children remain alcohol free.
Parents should set
a good example at home by limiting their own use of alcohol and other drugs.
Parents who don’t drink should be aware that this alone will not guarantee
their children and teenagers won’t use alcohol.
Parents who are
alcoholics or problem drinkers place their children at increased risk of
alcohol dependence. Studies suggest that alcoholism may run in the family.
One out of 5 young adults with an alcoholic parent is likely to become an
alcoholic too.
Education about
alcohol should begin early. Parents can help their children resist alcohol
use in these ways:
| |
|
Give your
child a sense of confidence. This is the best
defense against peer pressure. Build your child’s self-esteem with
praise and avoid frequent criticism. |
|
Listen
to what your child says.
Pay attention, and be helpful during periods of loneliness or doubt. |
|
Know who your
child’s friends are and make a point to
get to know them. |
|
Provide
parental supervision. Don’t allow your teen to
attend parties where alcohol is being served. Insist that a parent be
present at parties to supervise. Contact other parents to arrange
alcohol-free social events. |
|
Offer a "free
call home." Drinking and driving may lead to
death. Make sure your child knows not to ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Let him know that he can call home without fear of
consequences that night. Discuss the incident the next day. |
|
Help your
child learn to handle strong emotions and feelings.
Model ways to control stress, pain, or tension. |
|
Talk about
things that are important issues for your child,
including alcohol, drugs, and the need for peer-group
acceptance. |
|
Encourage
enjoyable and worthwhile outside things to do;
avoid turning leisure time into chores. |
|
Join your
child in learning all you can about preventing alcohol abuse.
Programs offered in schools, churches, and youth
groups can help you both learn more about alcohol abuse. |
| |
Your pediatrician
understands that good communication between parents and children is one of
the best ways to prevent alcohol use. If talking with your teenager about
alcohol is difficult, your pediatrician may be able to help open the lines
of communication. If you suspect your child is using alcohol or any other
drug, ask your pediatrician for advice and help.
| |
Parents who drink
Parents who choose
to use alcohol must be careful how it is used in the home. Having a drink
should never be shown as a way to cope with problems.
Don’t drink in
unsafe conditions—driving the car, mowing the lawn, using the stove, etc.
Don’t encourage your child to drink or to join you in having a drink. Never
make jokes about getting drunk; make sure that your children understand that
it is neither funny nor acceptable. Show your children that there are many
ways to have fun without alcohol. Happy occasions and special events don’t
have to include drinking.
| |
The information contained in this
publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and
advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
