Alcohol abuse and alcoholism cut across gender, race, and nationality. Nearly 14 million people in the United States--1 in every 13 adults--abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. In general, though, more men than women are alcohol dependent or have alcohol problems. And alcohol problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29 and lowest among adults ages 65 and older. We also know that people who start drinking at an early age--for example, at age 14 or younger--greatly increase the chance that they will develop alcohol problems at some point in their lives.

Alcohol is the drug most frequently used by American teenagers. It is consumed more frequently than all other illicit drugs combined and is the drug most likely to be associated with injury or death. Alcohol is a factor in the four leading causes of death among persons ages 10-24: motor-vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. Approximately 9.7 million current drinkers in the United States are between the ages of 12-20.

Research suggests that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle is also a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes that put people at risk for alcoholism. Your friends, the amount of stress in your life, and how readily available alcohol is also are factors that may increase your risk for alcoholism.

Teenagers usually experiment with alcohol for a number of reasons. One reason is that they think it’s cool to drink, older people do it and they want to feel grown-up. Another reason is to fit in with a crowd or friends who are drinking. Many people will get sick the first time they drink. This is because alcohol is basically a poison and the body is reacting to it. If you continue to drink you may not always get sick physically in a way that you can notice, but your body, and most importantly your brain is being effected.

Parents need to be aware that any alcohol use by a child or a teen is harmful to their development. Changes in behavior and/or friends can be signs that a teen is using alcohol or other substances. Losing interest in activities, changes in friends, isolation, being easily agitated, rapid mood changes, changes in dress and hygiene can be symptoms that a teen is using.

While the issue of underage drinking is a complex problem, one which can only be solved through a sustained and cooperative effort between parents, schools, community leaders, and the children themselves, there are three areas which have proven to be effective in prevention of underage drinking: curtailing the availability of alcohol, consistent enforcement of existing laws and regulations, and changing norms and behaviors through education.

According to the American Psychiatric association substance abuse is characterized by the following symptoms;

Recurrent use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at school, work, or home. Examples are repeated absences, suspensions, or lower grades.

The recurrent use of substances in situations where it is physically hazardous to use. Driving or operating machinery for examples.

Recurrent substance related legal problems such as arrests for disorderly conduct, D.U.I, school suspensions.

Continued use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems such as fighting with peers or family.

If you suspect your teen is having a problem have a talk with them. Tell them you are concerned, try not to accuse. Get help in either the school or by calling, or e-mailing our office. See our web page link on parenting and get into our parenting classes. If you are a teen, keep reading.

The organ of the body that alcohol and other drugs of abuse affect most severely is The Brain. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that lowers the ability of the brain to control behavior and impairs your ability to perform motor skills such as driving. One of the structures of the brain impaired by alcohol is the pre-frontal cortex. This area of the brain involves a person’s ability to reason and make good, rational decisions. This structure handles what are called executive functions (such as problem solving, putting things in order, working memory, doing multiple tasks at once). The human brain has a more developed and larger pre-frontal cortex than other mammals. This is what makes human beings more intelligent than other animals. It follows that when the normal functioning of the brain is impaired by alcohol you “act like an animal”.

Research being done by The National Institute of Drug Abuse and The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is uncovering the ways alcohol and other substances hijack the pleasure centers of the brain and inhibit a developing brain from maturing. Recent research indicates that the brain continues to develop and mature into the early 20’s.

 

Alcohol Dependence

 

Abuse can rapidly turn to dependence. Although for some people physical dependence may take some time, social and psychological dependence is more rapid and subtle. People depend more and more on alcohol to feel free to socialize. They begin to give up or lessen activities that don’t involve drinking or using and spend more time in activities that involve or allow substance use. They become pre-occupied, thinking more and more about when they will get a chance to drink or use. “I can’t wait for school to get out” or “I can’t wait for the weekend”. Experiencing blackouts is a strong indication a person is moving into the realm of dependency. A blackout is when a person can not remember a part of the time they were drinking.

A hangover is withdrawal of alcohol from the body. Symptoms can be headaches, nausea or vomiting, shaking or tremors, and irritability. As a person becomes more dependent on alcohol the hangovers are more severe and they may drink or use other substances to relieve the symptoms. In late stage alcoholism, people have what is called the DT’s, delirium tremors. These are severe, uncontrollable shaking with auditory and/or visual hallucinations. Seizures are common.

Another symptom of dependence is increased tolerance. Increased tolerance is the need for more of a substance to achieve a desired effect, or being able to “hold more”. A person may attempt to control drinking by limiting the amount, or by trying to quit on their own. Failing at control or quitting is a sure sign or dependence.

Denial is a large part of dependence and abuse. People lie about their use, make excuses, blame others and become resentful. They don’t want to talk about their drinking and they get angry when family or friends try to talk to them.

As addiction/dependence progresses, so do the consequences. Loss of jobs, loss of family or friends, and legal problems become common. As physical dependence becomes more severe, the alcoholic experiences remorse, impaired thinking, increased irresponsibility, and indefinable fears.

Alcoholism is a disease that can not be defeated without help, treatment, and continued support.

Many people also find support groups a helpful aid to recovery. The following list includes a variety of resources:

Al-Anon/Alateen This is a twelve step support program for the families of people with alcohol problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. We are self supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) For people who grew up in an alcoholic home.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)

American Medical Association: Research & Facts About Youth & Alcohol
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/catergory/3566.html

Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth:
http://www.camy.org/

Center for Science in the Public Interest: Alcohol & Youth Surveys http://cspinet.org/booze/youthsurveys.htm

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information: Publications http://store.health.org/catalog/results/.aspx?h=publications&topics=97

teenGetgoing: https://www.teengetgoing.com/index.asp