Is Your Child Exempt?

If according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, nearly 80% of high school students have tried alcohol, it is easy to come to the conclusion that the potential for alcoholism or drug addiction is put into motion very early in life. What may start out as an “innocent” activity to fit in with friends, to have some fun, or to look older, turns into a life-changing struggle. The consequences are never a concern for the teenager, but the effects of alcohol can hit before the young person knows there is a problem, or even understands that a problem can be possible.
The reason people, especially adolescents, do not necessarily understand that they are in trouble is because the disease of alcoholism progresses in stages. Because everyone is different, how long those stages take to develop depends on the person. In general, alcoholism sets in when people drink at a level where it affects their work, their family and their relationships in the community. Parents need to be alert to the signs and not assume that their child won’t be exposed to alcohol or take a drink when it is offered.
The problem is taking the first drink. The body will develop a tolerance to alcohol over time. What might have been a “wow” experience the first time they took a drink is not nearly as intense as they take another drink and another. It takes more alcohol to get the mood-altering effect. The first stage of the disease occurs when a person starts using alcohol to feel good. It is a form of escape. “Partying” is popular with teenagers, even without alcohol, as it is an escape from the routine of life, a carefree and happy activity. But all too often there is alcohol at the party and a teen might become involved just to be a part of the crowd.
Consider this; for an adult male it is considered “safe” if he has 15 drinks a week; for women, 14 drinks a week. Alcoholism can begin even if the person limits himself/herself to three to five drinks a day. It’s all according to the individual. Eventually a person may be able to drink large amounts of alcohol and not even “look like” they are even tipsy. They may appear sober. They can talk without slurring, they can walk straight, they can think straight. They are already in trouble, because if the alcohol is taken away, those functions may be impacted. They need to have a drink. Teenagers are not exempt from this process.
Changes are Gradual
The changes are gradual for the alcoholic. A person starts to drink more, and the old “after 5:00” rule for taking that first drink of the day is moved forward. The urge to drink, the need to drink, the craving for alcohol starts to develop. The person may or may not be aware that a problem is forming. They suffer from more severe withdrawal symptoms. They are always dealing with a hangover, and often have blackouts. Other physical symptoms can occur, such as stomach problems and tremors. They will not associate this with drinking necessarily, and as they realize their control is slipping away, they will likely blame others for their problems.
For teens, this can be observed through slipping interest in school and school activities, a change in their friends, loss of appetite, a change in sleeping patterns and a general withdrawal from the family. If left unchecked, the alcoholism takes over. When it does, everyone knows there is a problem, and even if the addicted person won’t admit it, he/she knows inside that there is a problem. If mom and dad aren’t paying attention, the disease can progress.
One of the aspects of alcoholism that is not always addressed immediately is the fact that alcoholics are malnourished. The digestive system is affected by alcohol because nutrients do not pass from the intestines to the bloodstream. Liver function is impaired, and the normal function of converting nutrients into a usable form is limited. As alcoholism progresses, the body eventually shuts down. If they don’t die from drinking, they may die in a car accident, a work accident, or from suicide.
Alcoholism does not care about the age of its victim, but in the case of teenagers, if they wait until they are 21, the legal age, to start using alcohol the chances of them abusing alcohol or developing alcoholism are greatly reduced. If they start drinking at the beginning of their teenage years, the probability of trouble is greatly increased.
The best defense against any alcohol-related disease is to not drink. Parents need to educate their teens on the disease of alcoholism. While most teens will say “This could never happen to me,” the fact is it does happen and parents need to be aware that their teen, no matter how level-headed or serious they are, is at risk. Before allowing their teen to take a drink, parents need to understand that there is no such thing as “Oh, one drink won’t do any harm."