Teen Alcohol Abuse

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,warning signs of teenage alcohol and drug abuse may include:

Physical: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.
Emotional: personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.
Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, or withdrawing from the family.
School: decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.
Social problems: new friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.
Alcoholic drinks consist mainly of flavored water and ethyl alcohol (ethanol). They are made by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables or grains. Beer, lager and cider are usually about one part ethanol to 20 parts water although some brands may be twice as strong as others. Wine is about twice to four times as strong and distilled spirits such as whisky, rum and gin are about half water and half ethanol.
“I use an integrated approach that helps transition the success at Trails back to the home environment. I will use experiential approaches. I will also review the student’s genogram to demonstrate the genetic link of alcohol addiction. I will also cover relapse prevention; people, places and things that trigger use. I educate the client on abuse and addiction. I work with my clients on being honest and committing to sobriety and then help them in devising a plan of how to succeed. I will discuss integrity and making amends to those they have hurt.”Leigh Uhlenkott, LPCS, NCC, LMHC, Primary Therapist Trails Carolina

The effects of Alcohol

• In small amounts alcohol can help you relax
• Increases emotional responses
• Lowers inhibitions
• Increases confidence
• Intoxication
• Clumsy and awkwardness

The risks

• Blurred vision
• Mood swings
• Mixing with other drugs can be dangerous or fatal
• Prolonged use can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts
• Liver, heart, stomach and brain problems
• High blood pressure
• Highly addictive
• Alcohol poisoning
• Degenerative brain disorder (Korsakoff psychosis)
• Fatal respiratory failure