Teenage drinking facts tell us that teenage alcohol abuse is on the decline, but it is still a serious problem today.
The teenage drinking facts are sobering. Stopping teenage alcohol abuse must be a priority.
Teenage drinking facts tell us that parents can play a big role in stopping teenage alcohol abuse. Statistics have shown that when parents talk to their teens about the dangers of drinking, they are less likely to drink.
Some parents are uncomfortable talking to their children about alcohol abuse, but it is critical that they do so. They should arm themselves with the teenage drinking facts and accurate information - information is readily available online, if parents are not familiar with the facts - and also be prepared to share family values regarding alcohol use.
But what happens when talking is not enough? What happens when teens begin to experiment with alcohol anyway?
A little experimentation, while not a good thing, may be normal and not cause for too much alarm. If a teen begins using alcohol on a regular basis, or drinking large amounts of alcohol, even on an infrequent basis (binge drinking), help is needed. If in doubt, professional help should be sought. An assessment by a professional is the only way to really determine if a child has an alcohol abuse problem.
Prompt professional help is needed to nip teenage alcohol abuse in the bud. The type of help needed depends on the degree of alcohol use. Again, a professional assessment is necessary to determine the appropriate level of care. It may be as simple as weekly 12-step meetings, or as involved as long-term residential care.
Any type of professional help must be geared specifically toward teens. Studies have shown that, while teens are welcome at any AA meeting (Alcoholics Anonymous), they are far more likely to attend meetings where the other members are their age. Treatment facilities that specialize in treating adolescents are far more equipped to deal with the special needs of teens than those that primarily treat adult addicts.
The good news is that teen alcohol abuse is treatable. When caught early, alcohol addiction responds well to rehabilitative treatment. In fact, teens are far less likely to relapse than adults who undergo treatment for alcohol addiction. Again, this supposes that the addiction has not been going on for a number of years.
So if you think your child has an alcohol abuse problem, you need to seek help right away. For more information on finding an alcohol treatment center for your teen, take a look at our treatment and teenage drinking sections.