Many teenagers will drink alcohol at some point in their young lives, and all of them will have the opportunity to drink at one point or another. Some teens though don’t just have an incident or two with alcohol, but instead begin drinking regularly. There are some signs you can look for if you suspect that your teen or one of your friends (if you are a teen) has a problem with alcohol.
There are some physical signs that you can look for if you think someone may be abusing alcohol. Some of these signs include red or bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, blackouts, lack of concentration, and increased incidents of headache, nausea, and intolerance of noise especially in the mornings. Other physical signs of alcohol abuse may include weight changes, abuse of other drugs, and an increase in physical injuries.
There are also social and emotional signs that your teen may be struggling with an alcohol problem. Some of these include mood swings, depression, withdrawal from family and friends, and a loss of interest in favorite activities. Other signs that you may notice are difficulties in school, problems with the law, lying, a change in peer group, or secretive behavior.
Teens who struggle with alcohol abuse are usually unaware of the toll that drinking can have on their bodies. Teenagers and young adults can develop alcohol related diseases just like older adults do. Heavy drinking and regular drinking places a strain on your body, and teenagers are at risk of damaging organs that aren’t even done developing yet. Teen drinking has been linked to elevated liver enzymes, and damage to the reproductive system.
Some may ask why do teens feel the need to drink? There are many reasons that some teens begin drinking alcohol. Some may drink alcohol to fit in with their peer group or because they think it makes them look cool. Other teens may drink because it numbs them to other problems they may be having in their lives. Some teens drink in an attempt to relax and relieve stress, and others like the way alcohol allows them to lower their inhibitions.
If a teen that you know is struggling with alcohol abuse there are ways that you can help them. Having someone to talk to can go a long way towards solving any problem. When discussing why your teen drinks do not be judgmental, but try to find out why they feel the need to drink. Finding a peer counselor who is close in age to your teen may also be very helpful, particularly if it is someone who has struggled with these types of problems themselves. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon may also be very helpful in providing information and helpful resources for your family and your teen. Other resources that you may find helpful could be a Pastor at a local church, or the counseling services offered at a local high school.
One of the best things you can do for your teen is to discuss alcohol, it’s effects, and the potential risks with your teen before they start drinking. Having a relationship with your teen where they feel that they can come to you and discuss problems or discuss what is going on in their lives may prevent them from taking that first drink. If your child already has a drinking problem, or you suspect that they do talk with them and work with them to get the help that they need.