Here are some alarming statistics about teens and alcohol to consider. Every year, underage drinking contributes to the death of 5,000 people under the age of 21. About 35% of high school students report drinking alcohol within the past month. Of those students, 70% say they binge drink—that’s defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row.
Even in light of these statistics, teen alcohol abuse continues to be a problem. Underage drinking is illegal in the United States, and it often has severe consequences for the teens who take part in it. What can concerned parents and family do to help a teen who’s abusing alcohol?
Underage drinking is a serious problem with grave consequences. Fortunately, addiction treatment programs can help teenagers who are battling alcohol abuse and addiction. Call us today for more information.
Dangers of Teen Alcohol Abuse
A teenager’s brain is still developing, so drinking can negatively impair development. Drinking early in life may lead to alcohol dependence now and in the future. Other dangers connected to teen alcohol abuse include:
- Increased risk of violent behavior
- Risky behaviors such as driving while intoxicated
- Poor judgment that may lead to unprotected sex
- Higher chances of alcohol poisoning
- Increased risk of alcohol-related accidents
Just because teenagers can’t legally buy alcohol doesn’t prevent them from drinking. Far from it, in fact, In many cases, teens find alcohol at home or get it from other family or friends who can purchase it.
Getting Help for Your Teen
The sooner you can get your teenager into a treatment program, the sooner you can decrease the risks that come with underage drinking. A quality treatment facility will work with your child and your family. Trained professionals can identify the causes that led to alcohol abuse.
Too often, however, it’s simply a matter of peer pressure that leads teens to drink. Good kids sometimes make bad decisions when they hang around the wrong crowd.
It’s very important to let your child know that the doors of communication are always open, especially if your teen wants to talk about difficult subjects. When children know their parents and other family members are actively involved in their lives, they feel supported. In this nurturing environment, they’re often more comfortable letting you know what’s going on.
If alcohol abuse is affecting your teen and your family, it’s time to seek treatment.
How Crestview Recovery Can Help with Teen Alcohol Abuse
Our addiction treatment facility is here to help teens struggling with drug or alcohol dependency. At our center, our staff can design a program that meets your unique needs for rehab and recovery.
Our addiction therapy services include:
- Family therapy: Alcohol abuse often occurs in families with a history of addiction. Through family therapy, we can help your teen understand the role that addiction plays in your family and how to overcome it.
- Individual therapy: In addition to family therapy, Crestview Recovery offers individual therapy sessions. These sessions give your teen the opportunity to address personal issues related to their addiction.
- Group therapy: Group therapy is an important part of addiction treatment. In group therapy, your teen will be able to share their experiences with other teens who are struggling with addiction. This can help them feel less alone and provide support for recovery.
- 12-step recovery: Our teen rehab center uses the 12-step recovery model to help teens overcome addiction. This model includes steps such as admitting that there is a problem, taking responsibility for recovery, and making amends for past mistakes.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is an evidence-based treatment that can help teens change their thinking and behavior patterns. It can be used to address issues such as impulsivity, negative thinking, and poor decision-making.
- Life skills rehab: We also offer life skills rehabilitation, which teaches your teen how to cope with everyday stressors and manage their time and resources.
Treatment for Teen Alcoholism is the Answer
Our location in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for clients from Seattle and Portland, as well as for anyone throughout Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and beyond. If you’re local, you’ll appreciate our proximity to loved ones, but if you prefer to get far away from a toxic environment, we give you the opportunity to do so.
Whether it’s you or a loved one who wants to overcome addiction, you can regain control of your life by partnering with a quality drug rehab. Crestview Recovery can get you on the road to recovery. Call us today at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
