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Adolescents and Alcohol Abuse

Picture of Stonewater Recovery By   ·  2 minute read
Alcohol use disorders are widespread in the US, and they are a significant contributor to most mental disorders and premature death. Adolescents and alcohol consumption is becoming a significant public problem that poses enormous health and safety risks. Experts report that several million young Americans aged 12 to 20 years use alcohol. Furthermore, they note that when teens drink, they tend to engage in binge drinking, putting them at risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol addiction can significantly impact your life, and make it more difficult for you to pursue the future you desire. If you notice that you are abusing alcohol, it may be time to contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center. Call us today at 662.373.2828 to learn about our treatment center for adolescent boys.

Warning Signs of Teenage Alcoholism

Common signs indicating alcohol intoxication include alcohol smell on their breath, bloodshot eyes, abnormally passive or confrontational behaviors, and slurred speech. However, the warning signs of adolescent alcoholism include:
  • Extreme variations in their normal behavior
  • Forming new friendships with teens and adults who drink
  • Irresponsible behavior, such as reckless driving and problems in school
  • Binge drinking
  • Withdrawing from family and friends

Adolescents and Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Treatment for alcohol use disorders starts with medical detoxification before proceeding to therapy. Detox can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, including excessive cravings, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, and aggression. Medically-assisted detox is effective in managing the withdrawal symptoms. The common medications for alleviating the symptoms include Ondansetron, Naltrexone, and Disulfiram. These drugs can be a useful option in treating chronic alcohol use disorders; they decrease cravings for alcohol by obstructing the body's euphoric reaction. There are many treatment therapies for alcohol use disorders in adolescents. Although all the methods aim to produce similar results, the effectiveness of any individual option depends on the severity of the condition, the availability of a support system, and the participant's personal choices. The most common therapies for treating adolescents and alcohol abuse conditions include:
  • Residential addiction treatment
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Experiential therapy programs
  • Trauma treatment programs
  • Bipolar treatment program
  • On-campus family program

Aftercare Recovery Program

Some therapies act as a foundation for other, more complex treatment plans. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims at increasing your desire to participate in treatment. It is a good starting point if you are feeling rebellious or lack the motivation and the right mindset necessary for recovery. Therapy provides you with essential skills to recognize what triggers and precede your drinking episodes. Cravings control is a tactic used to alter the patterns causing alcohol abuse. Mental health professionals use personalized techniques to address each participant's problem. As such, you will learn to stay away from environments that can trigger relapse and replace lousy behavior with healthy activities that aid recovery. A family program creates a support system that involves your close family members and friends of the victim.

Learn More About Alcohol Abuse at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center

Let our experts in Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center help you recover from alcohol use disorders. Exposure to alcohol at a young age is likely to lead to chronic drinking that can extend into adulthood. If you have advanced to the higher stages of alcoholism, you will need an intensive treatment approach, using a mixture of the methods described above. Adolescents and alcohol abuse seem to be a worrying trend in the US. As such, you need to take appropriate actions once you note the red flags of alcohol abuse in yourself. Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center is ready to help. With the assistance of our faith-based treatment program, you can fully recover from alcohol abuse. Contact us at 662.373.2828 to schedule an appointment.