home Women At what age do teenagers try alcohol? Alcohol and teenagers: the effect of alcohol on a growing body, consequences, prevention

At what age do teenagers try alcohol? Alcohol and teenagers: the effect of alcohol on a growing body, consequences, prevention

Once in the life of every parent there comes a moment when the question: “Teenagers and alcohol - how to protect them, how to teach them, how to prevent a disaster” becomes as relevant as possible. And every parent remembers himself many years ago, his first glass of port / glass of vodka / glass of wine, frowns (why does memory retain THIS at all?) and agrees - it’s unlikely that it will be possible to jump over five boxes - in this quest the child must gain his own experience. You just have to survive. However, everyone understands “survival” in their own way.

Instead of a preface

The LittleOne editors conducted a survey and found out that more than half (55%) of respondents agreed with the statement: “Since I was 15 years old, my parents poured me half a glass of wine on holidays, and I will follow in their footsteps. It’s better to let him try good alcohol at home than bad alcohol in the backyard.” Slightly less than half of the respondents (40%) are much more categorical: “Children under 18 years old should not consume anything stronger than kefir! I don’t drink myself and I don’t recommend it to anyone!” 4% of respondents shifted responsibility for relationships with alcohol onto the shoulders of the younger generation: “Let the teenager decide for himself whether to drink or not drink. For me, it’s better to drink than to inject drugs!”, and only 1% admitted: “Yes, I bought alcohol for my child and I don’t hide it!” No one can tell you how to do it right. And we will not undertake to advise. And our expert psychologists Alexander Roitman, Lyudmila Borodina, Natalya Lobanova do not give advice - when answering parents’ questions, they rather express their private opinion.

Alcohol education. Is there such a letter in your word?

Lyudmila Borodina:“From the age of ten or twelve, I told my sons why people drink, for example, that after a glass of champagne I feel more cheerful and stress goes away. She said that each body has its own reaction to alcohol and therefore it is better to try alcohol at home. She explained why drunk people become noisy. She divided alcohol consumption into categories: alcohol - as an occasion: a party, acquaintance, birthday - and here it is important to stop in time, and alcohol, the use of which indicates an exorbitant level of stress that the body cannot withstand. She explained that alcohol establishes itself more easily in people’s lives if the number of negative emotions greatly exceeds positive ones. At the same time, I offered alternative ways to relieve tension, introduced new interests into my sons’ lives, and tried to be “involved” in their lives.”

Alexander Roitman:“Since childhood, I knew that alcohol is a dope for communication; I knew that a man simply had to be able to drink. That alcohol presupposes a culture of consumption, that you need to know how much you can drink, when to stop, you need to know what you can combine with what. I have seen that men often resolve their male issues, and at the same time there is alcohol on the table. I looked at my dad and grandfather and chose my own way to behave at the table. I understood that you need to not just drink, but manage the table, be an intellectual, or something. Thanks to my parents, I realized early on that no one can force me to drink, that I choose the participants in the feast myself, I learned to watch who I drink with, since childhood I had the attitude: “Drinking a lot is strange.” This setup was useful to me: I once worked at a vitamin factory, where there was more alcohol than water, and I didn’t drink. I didn’t drink in the army and almost didn’t drink in college.”

To drink or not to drink, that is the question. At what age should a teenager be offered alcohol during family gatherings?

Natalya Lobanova:“For me, as a parent, this question is not worth it. Don't offer it at all. Sometimes parents invite their children to “try” so that the child “understands what it is.” But, in my opinion, this has to do with the attitude and culture of drinking alcohol. And if this attitude is healthy, then the child will consciously make his choice from additional provocation from the parents.”

Lyudmila Borodina:“I have two already grown sons. And I didn’t mind introducing them to alcohol when they became interested in it. Everything happened before my eyes. From the age of 14, the boys began to sometimes spend the night with friends, I think there were episodes of alcoholism too. But there was never a situation in which I felt in danger: they had an understanding of what alcohol is and why you shouldn’t drink a glass of vodka on a dare.”

Alexander Roitman:“There was always alcohol in our house, no one checked whether its quantity had decreased or not, I had no particular interest in it. My parents told me directly: “Drink, smoke, if you want, but at home, not on the street.” As far as I can remember, I was always poured dry wine. From the age of nine, exactly, five grams, sometimes more than once - I had my own small glass. I was taught that they drink slowly, that there should always be something left in the glass, that “drink to the bottom” is not for me, that I control how I drink, and not the one who pours. Dad told me: “Be careful. Make sure you drink enough so you don't overdo it. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you might feel ashamed later.”

The teenager plans to celebrate his birthday without his parents and presumably there will be alcohol there. Is it worth showing interest in how much alcohol there will be, what kind of alcohol there will be, how many guests there will be, and how to adjust these inputs if necessary?

Natalya Lobanova:“The parent’s anxiety on this issue will be higher, the less he trusts his child and is afraid to give up parental control. It seems to me that a preliminary conversation with the child about responsibility for his behavior, which in the absence of adults falls on the shoulders of the teenager himself, is necessary and sufficient. A detailed explanation of the consequences of alcohol intoxication will largely allow the child to be more attentive and not cross the safety line. But if it turns out that a teenager from a family with adequate values for health and safety celebrated his birthday with a bang, then one should not regard what happened as a disaster: the child will be able to draw conclusions from what happened.”

Alexander Roitman:“I will tell the child this: “I don’t want there to be wine at your birthday party. But at the same time, I don’t want to put you in an idiotic position if someone brings it anyway, and you don’t tell me, and in fact deceive me. I’m ready not to ask you about this - just know that I’m against it. I pour you wine at home, but this is my relationship with you, this does not mean that you can drink with friends in my absence.”

You are escorting a teenager to a party where there will presumably be alcohol. AND…?

Alexander Roitman:“You cannot teach a person to look at paintings before going to a museum. You can protect your child from serious mistakes (don’t yell, don’t touch the paintings with your hands), but you can’t instill culture with just conversation. It’s the same with alcohol - if the child does not have the “relationship with alcohol” vaccination, then before the child goes to the party, you can give clear instructions. And after that, from the window, shout that this is just the beginning of a big conversation, designed for many, many meetings. But since my children have a background in alcohol, when escorting my son to a party, I would instruct him - the way my parents instructed me: eat heartily, a lot, well.”

Lyudmila Borodina:“Assuming that a child is going to an event where he will be introduced to alcohol, I would advise discussing everything that may be happening - but discussing it in a way that does not look like strict control. In the case of my sons, I probed the situation with questions: “How many guests are planned? Will there be girls? What do you think you should drink?”, while sincerely sharing her fears: “I’m afraid that it will be too... (strong / expensive / a lot).” And in the dialogue there was always a compromise: “Will it be convenient to continue drinking if the girl’s parents come?”, “Will it be convenient if you get drunk and start to feel sick?” At the same time, I have no illusions - I understand that a “closed zone” exists in the lives of teenagers, that I am not “allowed” everywhere, but what is shared with me is enough for me.”

Is there an option in which 100% abstinence from alcohol in parents gives rise to the same 100% abstinence from alcohol in children?

Lyudmila Borodina:“I'm sure this is possible. The day will come when parents who do not drink alcohol even on holidays will reach a consensus with their children. But statistics say that sooner or later 100% of children will try alcohol, and therefore I’m not sure that a child from an anti-alcohol family will avoid the period of “Well, for the OGE!” or “For a certificate without “Cs”!”

Natalya Lobanova:“It is obvious to me that a teenager who grew up in a family where they do not drink alcohol will not show excessive interest in this issue. Perhaps he will try alcohol somewhere with friends, but, based on his parents’ attitude towards drinking alcohol, he will make his choice not in favor of alcohol.”

Alexander Roitman:“It’s interesting that now I don’t drink, well, maybe a glass of cognac once a year. And... children (and I have five of them!) do not show any interest in alcohol! However, I assume that they probably tried alcohol, maybe they tried it more than once or twice (we have wine in the public domain), but after making sure that it was sour and not fun, they left their tasting!”

What to do if the child liked it?

Natalya Lobanova:“A child growing up in a family where alcohol is the norm will not ask his parents for permission to drink. He will either choose an anti-scenario and will not even sit at a table with his parents where there is alcohol, or he will start drinking alcohol himself (because he lives in this norm). And if the latter happens, then you should start with yourself and change your attitude towards alcohol. Does your child already drink alcohol on a regular basis? You need to pay attention to his environment or the reasons that may cause him to become dependent on alcohol, and try to change the situation on his own. Does not work? Contact specialists for help!”

Lyudmila Borodina:“If a teenager said “yes” to alcohol, then one pill is not enough: a comprehensive solution is needed. If I were the mother of this teenager, I would run with him to a psychologist. But first, I would think about the fact that children copy the behavior of adults - if parents put a bottle of whiskey on the table every Friday, and a battery of beer bottles under the table, this picture will be one version of the norm for the child. If parents put out a bottle of wine for Sunday lunch, drink a glass and put it away in the closet - this is another option. If parents, realizing that they have children in their family who see everything, buy non-alcoholic champagne at New Year, do not keep any alcohol at home and live under the auspices of “Alcohol is evil” (and at the same time do not disdain cocktails in bars, at a party and at work) - this is the third option, in which the child will undoubtedly drink alcohol (and will hide it from his parents - just as they hide from him). And there is only one way out: parents need to become honest with themselves and admit that it is possible to change the situation, but they will have to start with themselves.”

Teenage alcoholism, according to statistics, begins to manifest itself in adolescents aged 10–15 years. Both boys and girls drink alcohol. The main reason that pushes a child into the arms of alcohol is unfavourable conditions in family. Parents should be informed about the signs of childhood alcoholism and ways to combat it.

Statistics

Statistical research adolescent alcohol dependence indicate that over time there has been an increase in the number of children and adolescents who systematically drink alcohol. This applies to both boys and girls, the number of whom until recently was relatively small. If we consider the disease of children and adolescents with alcoholism on a geographical basis, the following picture emerges:

In the United States, the alcoholism rate is adolescence much lower compared to European countries. About 15% of American teenagers drink alcohol daily.
In Europe, alcohol dependence has been recorded in 40% of boys and about 30% of girls.
In Russia, the rate of alcoholism among teenagers leads the ranking of countries with a high incidence of teenagers drinking alcohol. Thus, 77% of Russian children suffer from one stage or another of alcoholism, of which in 90% of cases, childhood addiction is the result of drunkenness in families where teenagers are raised.

Why do children drink?

The causes of childhood alcoholism are psychological character. First of all, it should be noted that children from happy families are not exposed to alcohol, they are always busy: studying, sports, Mind games, reading, useful work on the Internet, new hobbies leave no time for dubious pastimes.

As a rule, this category of children has complete information about the consequences of smoking, drinking alcohol, and, in particular, at a young age. Children from unreliable families who have low self-esteem, very often fall into the trap of alcoholism, especially if alcoholic drinks are welcome guests in the family.

Signs of alcohol addiction

The main sign of alcohol dependence in a teenager is resistance to increasing doses of alcohol. Then comes a long period of intoxication, which is characterized by depression and memory loss. The next day brings mood swings, aggression, apathy.

From the initial dose of alcohol, a teenager is immersed in a state of joy and pleasure, he actively moves and has fun

Another important symptom of teenage drinking is an increased craving for alcoholic beverages. When alcohol addiction develops, a child neglects his studies. Problems arise related to getting money for drinking, having to steal and commit other forms of crime. At the first manifestation of these signs, parents should immediately seek help from a narcologist.

Parents can determine that their son or daughter is in trouble by the following signs:

The appearance of unsatisfactory grades at school.
Unreasonable absences from classes.
New social circle.
Obstructing parents' desire to meet friends.
Indifference to one's own appearance, personal hygiene.
The appearance of causeless aggression.
Stealth.
Hooliganism.

A drunk teenager reveals himself:

Alcohol smell.
On fumes.
Headache.
The appearance of redness on the neck and face.
Slurred speech.
Losing weight.
Impaired movement coordination.

In addition, adolescents are characterized by difficulties in concentrating, memory deterioration, and severe forgetfulness.

How does this happen

Teenage alcoholism develops gradually and goes through several stages of developing a persistent dependence on alcohol. Medical statistics states that the first acquaintance with alcoholic beverages occurs in childhood school age during family feasts.

Older teenagers try alcohol in the company of peers. It is very rare that a child gets acquainted with alcohol on his own, trying to find out what will happen. A disservice is provided by television advertising, which positions a person who drinks alcoholic beverages as successful, and alcohol as an attribute of communication and relaxation.

Stages of disease formation

The main stages in the development of alcohol dependence in medicine are considered to be:

Beginning of addiction to alcoholic drinks. This process lasts about 3 months.
Systematic use. The beginning of changes in the child's behavior. At this stage, the disease can be stopped if you stop drinking alcohol.
Mental dependence. The period begins one year after the start of drinking alcohol. A teenager is often drunk, he can no longer live without alcohol, it doesn’t matter to him what kind of alcohol to drink, where and when.
Withdrawal syndrome. Teenagers no longer control the amount of alcohol they drink, the tolerance of which increases several times. There is a transition of the disease to the chronic stage.
Dementia. Happens in children a sharp decline mental abilities.

Family influence

Drinking parents give birth to children with an increased tendency to alcohol dependence, which develops in the baby during the prenatal period. Reasons for drinking alcohol at home include birthdays, holidays, and the arrival of guests.

If there is drinking in the house and everyone is having fun, the child will not miss this without concluding for himself that alcohol is the norm in life. A drinking group of friends forms a firm belief: everyone drinks, and I’m no worse. Later, when parents sound the alarm, they will hear excuses: “everyone drank,” “I don’t want to be a black sheep,” “I drank for courage.”

Drinking children of non-drinking parents

Teenage drunkenness develops from unfavorable relationships in the family, even if alcohol is prohibited. The reasons for the formation of alcohol dependence may be:

Violence of any kind
Excessive care on the part of parents.
Authoritarian parenting style.
Mistrust of family members.
Permissiveness, indulging the desires of a teenager.

Violence is the reason why a teenager is connected with alcohol addiction

Street and alcohol

There is a very high probability that a child will encounter alcohol in street company. The age-related characteristics of a teenager are characterized by conformism and imitation of people significant to him. Significant people in the company are likely to be drinkers. They are usually considered cool and try to win the favor of the courtyard leaders. To refuse to drink alcohol at the call of the “cool” means to appear weak. This kind of pastime with a can of beer becomes the norm, fills everything free time child.

Why does a teenager need alcohol?

In most cases, the survey questions about why you drink alcohol are answered:

I'm trying to stick to tradition.
I want new sensations.
Avoid communication complexes.
Find understanding in the company.

Most children give reasons for drinking:

Last school bell.
Admission to educational institution.
Device for part-time work.
Birthdays.

As you get more and more into a state of being “under the influence”, you want to drink for no reason – a habit develops. In a sober state, a teenager is bored, finding something he likes is not easy: sports are good, but for this a teenager needs to make significant efforts, have good condition health. My parents did not teach me to read books. The easiest way is to grab a can of beer, go online and find confirmation that everyone drinks cool things; movies evoke the same feeling.

The survey results confirm that the majority of students have a negative attitude towards alcohol, but words do not always coincide with actions

Where to get alcohol

It is not difficult for a teenager to buy low-alcohol drinks; the low price contributes to the widespread incidence of childhood alcoholism. Particularly dangerous are advertised cocktails as drinks containing a small percentage of rum mixed with natural juices: systematic consumption of drinks throughout the year causes enormous harm to the child’s body, leading to real alcohol addiction with all the ensuing consequences.

How alcohol destroys a teenager's body

Alcoholic drinks are painful for a fragile body. Ethyl alcohol disrupts the developmental processes of a teenager’s body. Since those who drink alcohol in the gates have nothing to snack on, they have to eat crackers or chips, which leads to the development of pathologies gastrointestinal tract. Most often, teenagers drink beer containing cobalt, which causes inflammatory processes in the stomach and esophagus.

Cobalt has a particularly detrimental effect on the heart muscle; it becomes decrepit and cannot pump blood normally. By drinking alcohol, a teenager succumbs to the threat of disruptions in the functioning of the brain and central nervous system, which leads to a slowdown in the development of intelligence, memory, and thinking, the development of which in adolescence is especially effective.

A drinking teenager feels suffering in emotional sphere, becoming withdrawn, degrading every day as a person who exhibits deviations in behavior.

Beer gatherings lead a teenager to aggression, loss of self-control, and he often gets into fights. To achieve the desired degree of intoxication, you have to consume more and more of the “harmless drink”. The next stage is the transition to vodka, the purchase of which requires larger sums. The search for money for the next dose of alcohol leads to the commission of crimes.

Treatment

There is no doubt that teenage alcoholism needs to be treated, and that the problem cannot be solved by prohibitions alone. Successful treatment, first of all, depends on the correct approach to treating a teenager in trouble. Parents who want to save their child from alcohol addiction should do the following:

Try to delve deeply into the teenager’s problems.
With sympathy, understanding, and advice, ease the moral state of a teenager.
Directly participate in the child's life.
Unobtrusively convince the teenager of the need to seek help from psychologists and narcologists.

Can it be treated with drugs?

The specific medications used to treat adult alcoholics are not suitable for children. To win with a child's body dangerous disease immunomodulators are used vitamin preparations, restoratives. This is done by a psychotherapist, with the help of whom relationships in the family are improved and a trusting relationship between the child and parents is established.

the main objective treatment for adolescent alcoholics is to overcome addiction to alcoholic beverages

Family treats

It should be remembered that parents should participate in treatment. One of the most important tips for moms and dads: help your teenager find a hobby, then he won’t have time to wander aimlessly through the gates. If the opinions of the parents and the child regarding hobbies do not coincide, in no case should the teenager be criticized or ridiculed for a meaningless choice.

It is necessary to understand that general participation in any event related to a teenager’s hobby will give a chance to get closer to the child, understand him, and gain lost trust. Parents, devoting as much free time as possible to their child from work, contribute to the development of the teenager’s intelligence and weaning him from the destructive craving for alcohol. Children prone to alcohol addiction are very easily influenced by other people, so this feature should be used for good.

Primary factors for successful treatment of teenage alcoholism:

Early diagnosis in alcohol-dependent teenagers.
Contacting medical institutions for inpatient treatment.
Participation of child's family members in treatment for alcohol dependence.
Confidential conversations with an alcoholic child after consultation with a psychologist.
Introduction to sports.
Prescription treatment traditional medicine under the supervision of a narcologist.
Complete rest for your child.

Prevention

Prevention of alcohol dependence in adolescents is aimed at developing a negative attitude towards alcoholic drinks as a source of diseases and causes of crime.

Preventing the development of childhood alcoholism is one of the main tasks of parents.

To develop an antidote to addictions in a child, the following is recommended:

Parents should help their teenagers organize leisure time. You should tell the teenager what sport sections It’s worth making an appointment, what books to read, what information to get using the Internet. Parents should remember that detection of the very first signs of alcohol dependence should lead the teenager to an appointment with a narcologist, who, after an appropriate examination, will conduct serious treatment to help avoid the harmful effects of alcohol.

Surely you have heard the expression “Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure” more than once. This is absolutely true for dependencies as well. However, what to do if a problem with the use of surfactants has already arisen? As part of the free marathon “Difficult Age. How to protect a teenager from negative experiences,” psychologist Tatyana Orlova spoke about the first signs of developing addiction, how to behave correctly and how to help a child if he has started drinking alcohol and other psychoactive substances (PAS).

Let's start, as we should, from the beginning - with the very first calls that should alert parents. The sooner we notice something is wrong, the easier it will be to keep the child from rash actions.

Signs that should not be ignored:

A sharp change in behavior: secrecy, theft, lying, irritation.
Often stays outside the house overnight. Repeatedly came drunk.
Surfactants and devices can be detected.
Changes in physical condition: increased activity, agitation or, conversely, constant drowsiness, prolonged sleep - more than 12 hours.
Sudden change in appetite (gluttony or not eating anything).
Changes in the condition of the eyes - dilation or contraction of the pupils, lack of reaction to light; Red eyes.
Slurred, slurred, too fast or drawn out speech.
Outbursts of anger, tearfulness, unexpected, inappropriate behavior.
Stories about "one friend" who tried something.

Certainly, loving parents it is very difficult to accept that this could happen to their child. But the longer the parent denies the obvious, the more severe the consequences may be. So let’s take off our rose-colored glasses, put aside shame and senseless self-flagellation, and remember what not to do.

Incorrect parental reactions:

They ignore the problem and pretend that nothing is happening. This is a defensive reaction, a desire to hide, an inability to accept reality.
They shout, shame and blame.
They are punished and deprived of pleasures. The same defensive reaction, but in different forms. But it is important to understand: the worse the family relationships, the stronger desire escape from reality.
They stop communicating. Unfortunately, sometimes for parents the ideal image of their family is more important than the child.
They call friends, discuss with teachers and relatives.
Control correspondence and communication. It seems that the problem is somewhere “outside” and if you open the circuit, then everything will stop. But this is not so - the problem is inside. Such actions do not give the desired effect.
Cover and fence off, compensate for the damage. Very wrong tactic! The more the parent takes on the problems, the worse: the child understands that the pleasure is his, and the consequences are the parents’. This only makes the situation worse.

What to do? Open to talk!

Ask about use directly and without pressure. Ask to tell how it started and what is happening now. Give the teenager time to think, without demanding an immediate answer. Unfortunately, substance use often occurs during tense relationships with parents, so building a dialogue can be difficult. But there is no other way out - you need to gather your strength and talk kindly.
Say that you are ready to help, and not throw a tantrum. Try to persuade him to go to a psychologist - a family psychologist or one specializing in this issue. If the situation is advanced, then a narcologist is needed. There is no need to be afraid of registering - it is established for only three years. Yes it unpleasant event, but it is important to understand that the craving for surfactants will not go away on its own.
To say that there is no catastrophe yet, but there is a big problem. Unfortunately, no one knows what the consequences of taking even one dose may be.
Ask how the teenager himself feels about the experience. Find videos with stories from people who have gone through this. At the beginning of the journey, the teenager does not realize where this can lead, so he needs to be shown.

Important: parents can begin family therapy without a teenager. A specialist will help you cope with your own fears and tell you what to do.

Now let’s return from the parents and their experiences to the teenager himself.

Where does it all begin?

“Light” surfactants. The company hires you “weakly” and promises guaranteed pleasure. When a child feels bad, he is tired of studying, conflicts in the family and his own insecurities, it is extremely difficult to refuse such an offer.
Used occasionally in company. Gradually it becomes a ritual, a common secret of the company. A common goal arises - to get more, to remain unnoticed. Gradually, this goal crowds out all others and problems begin. It is at this stage that symptoms that parents notice usually appear. And this is where action needs to be taken!
Intoxication is easily achieved. At this stage, the desired effect is no longer achieved. Large doses or heavier surfactants are needed.
Switch to heavier substances, high doses.
Drunkenness is becoming the norm. Taking substances on weekdays.
Lack of interest in studying, lying, stealing, fighting.
Obvious degradation, noticeable not only to loved ones.

Obviously, the alarm needs to be sounded as early as possible! You need to realize that this is not a matter of one day.

The stages of treatment look like this:

Detoxification (3–7 days). You can't stop at this stage! Otherwise, a dangerous practice arises: the situation is fixable, you can come to your senses and continue using.
Stabilization (1–3 months). A serious condition: living without artificial joy is difficult - reality seems gray and meaningless. During this period, there is a great risk of allowing yourself “A little bit.”
Rehabilitation (1–5 years).

Rehabilitation varies and depends on the teenager’s willingness to undergo treatment.

Types of rehabilitation programs:

"12 steps". Step 1 is recognizing the problem. When a person realizes that he cannot cope on his own, step-by-step work begins.
Fear of punishment. For those who are not ready to admit the problem. Rigid limits are set within which you have to pull yourself together. But it is dangerous to abuse this method! It is better to transfer to a softer program after a month of occupational therapy.
Christian programs. There are good ones, but you need to choose carefully so as not to fall into a sect.
Therapeutic community. Support is needed not only for the addict, but also for his loved ones! After completion of treatment, a long period of adaptation and socialization is required.

Prepared based on the materials of the webinar “If there is already a problem” as part of the free marathon “Difficult Age. How to protect a teenager from negative experiences.” Recordings of webinars can be obtained for free using the link:

How should parents react? Should they worry at all?

Physiologically, a teenager is not yet ready to drink alcohol on an equal basis with adults: a rapid restructuring process is taking place in his body, which requires a lot of resources, and the liver enzyme system is not yet fully formed. Therefore, alcohol is recycled slowly and remains toxic longer. Psychological and physiological characteristics contribute to the fact that adolescents quickly become dependent on alcohol. With one or two servings of low-alcohol drinks and beer daily, it will take less than two months for the development of alcoholism. It is important to notice the line when simple entertainment becomes a disease, and to help the child return to a normal lifestyle.

What changes should parents be wary of:

The smell of alcohol in the evening, and the smell of fumes in the morning, unusual pungent odors from the child. The frequent presence of the smell of alcohol is a direct indicator of its use. A child can come up with different stories to justify himself and explain to his parents why he smells. But if you regularly smell alcohol from your child, then most likely it’s not your imagination. Suspicion should also be raised by strong aromas of mouth freshener, chewing gum, which a teenager can use to cover up the smell of alcohol.

With the systematic use of alcohol, a teenager’s behavior changes dramatically; he becomes irritable and aggressive to a greater extent than before.

You lose cash and alcohol from the bar. Parents' ban on alcohol often does not give the expected result; the teenager believes that he can get it himself. In this case, there is only one way out: do not keep alcohol in any form at home, as well as money in the public domain.

There were many holidays and legal reasons to drink, and the child began to often stay overnight with friends.

Often in the morning there is no appetite, poor health does not allow you to go to school, and vomiting occurs. A hangover in a teenager will be no different from that in an adult.

The child skips school and hangs out with bad company. The desire to belong to a certain peer group, and at the same time to stand out, is one of the basic needs in adolescence. Drinking in company is much easier: someone will definitely help you stock up on alcohol, and drinking in company is a reason to socialize.

How parents can help their teenagers

In the case of teenage alcoholism, strict control from parents, teachers, and relatives is important. The child’s own will will not be enough, and most likely he will not have the desire to change anything. Persuasion is ineffective, but communication on the topic will help to clarify the hidden motives of deviant behavior.

What does a teenager get as a bonus from his alcohol history? Expression of rebellion and pride in oneself, if the rules in the family are too strict, with a lack of love - receives pity and attention, in the absence of clear rules in the family and fear of taking responsibility - seeks control and strict boundaries.

Solving the problem of teenage alcoholism requires professional help from a psychologist and narcologist, but the main work should be carried out by the family, the people closest to the child.

Prescribing special medications helps reduce intoxication and restore normal metabolism. Vitamins and amino acids in the treatment regimen improve the recovery process and make it easier to quit alcohol.

– a drug made from the amino acid threonine and vitamin B 6 – is prescribed from the first week of treatment to reduce the need for alcohol and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. During the recovery period: it improves general condition, mood, memory and concentration, and helps the teenager completely give up alcohol.

Teenage alcoholism, according to statistics, begins to manifest itself in adolescents aged 10–15 years. Both boys and girls drink alcohol. The main reason that pushes a child into the arms of alcohol is unfavorable conditions in the family. Parents should be informed about the signs of childhood alcoholism and ways to combat it.

Statistics

Statistical studies of teenage alcohol addiction indicate that over time there has been an increase in the number of children and adolescents who systematically drink alcohol. This applies to both boys and girls, the number of whom until recently was relatively small. If we consider the disease of children and adolescents with alcoholism on a geographical basis, the following picture emerges:

In the United States, the rate of alcoholism during adolescence is much lower compared to European countries. About 15% of American teenagers drink alcohol daily.
In Europe, alcohol dependence has been recorded in 40% of boys and about 30% of girls.
In Russia, the rate of alcoholism among teenagers leads the ranking of countries with a high incidence of teenagers drinking alcohol. Thus, 77% of Russian children suffer from one stage or another of alcoholism, of which in 90% of cases, childhood addiction is the result of drunkenness in families where teenagers are raised.

Why do children drink?

The causes of childhood alcoholism are psychological in nature. First of all, it should be noted that children from happy families are not exposed to alcohol; they are always busy: studying, sports, intellectual games, reading, useful work on the Internet, new hobbies do not leave time for dubious pastimes.

As a rule, this category of children has complete information about the consequences of smoking, drinking alcohol, and, in particular, at a young age. Children from unreliable families with low self-esteem very often fall into the trap of alcoholism, especially if alcohol is welcome in the family.

Signs of alcohol addiction

From the initial dose of alcohol, a teenager is immersed in a state of joy and pleasure, he actively moves and has fun

Parents can determine that their son or daughter is in trouble by the following signs:

The appearance of unsatisfactory grades at school.
Unreasonable absences from classes.
New social circle.
Obstructing parents' desire to meet friends.
Indifference to one's appearance and personal hygiene.
The appearance of causeless aggression.
Stealth.
Hooliganism.

A drunk teenager reveals himself:

Alcohol smell.
On fumes.
Headache.
The appearance of redness on the neck and face.
Slurred speech.
Losing weight.
Impaired movement coordination.

In addition, adolescents are characterized by difficulties in concentrating, memory deterioration, and severe forgetfulness.

How does this happen

Teenage alcoholism develops gradually and goes through several stages of developing a persistent dependence on alcohol. Medical statistics claim that the first acquaintance with alcoholic beverages occurs at primary school age during family feasts.