Teenage drinking

Millions of American teenagers drink alcohol. Over 60 percent of high school seniors drink at least once a week. Alcohol is the most common drug used by teenagers. Alcohol has special risks for this age group. Alcohol can be a "gateway" drug, leading to other drug use. Some teenagers may develop serious drinking problems. Studies indicate that about half of the children of alcoholic parents will become alcoholic themselves. Some teenagers say they got "hooked" the first time they took a drink.

Teenagers drink for many reasons. Some grow up seeing their parents or other adults drinking. They also see movies and television or magazine ads that make alcohol attractive. Often these ads have a sports celebrity enjoying some type of alcohol. There is often pressure from friends or classmates to drink. A teenager may drink to fit in with friends, or to appear more popular, confident or mature.

A teenager having anxiety, depression, or confusion, may use alcohol to manage these feelings. Other situations that can cause a teenager to develop a drinking problem are:

• other family members with drinking problems,

• the divorce of his or her parents,

• physical or sexual abuse, or

• the death of a parent or sibling.

There are some WARNING SIGNS concerned adults can watch for in a teenager. These signs may be apparent if a teenager has or is developing a serious drinking problem:

• avoiding family or friends

• staying out of school (sometimes several days at a time), cutting classes, or falling grades.

• losing interest in activities or hobbies

• hanging out with a new, often older, crowd

• frequent hangovers, constant tiredness, confusion, depression, or blackouts (not remembering where he or she was)

• getting into fights or arguing constantly with parents

It may be hard to admit that a teenager you love is out of control with alcohol. Sometimes it helps to share your concerns with the school counselor, your healthcare provider, or a member of the clergy. Other professionals who work with teenagers with drinking problems can be found at hospitals, mental health centers, alcoholism treatment centers, or in private offices.

Alcoholics Anonymous works with teens who want to stop drinking. To learn more about teenage drinking, call your local Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter or the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at (800) NCA-CALL.

Al-Ateen offers support meetings to children of alcoholics. It is a part of Al-Anon, which is for loved ones whose lives are affected by the alcoholic. For more information contact your local Al-Anon Chapter.

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