Alcohol addiction is one of the leading causes of death in the United States in a variety of ways. Long-term alcoholism can damage vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys as well as the brain. The bigger issue is that many fatal accidents happen while under the influence that can kill people who aren’t drinking. One of the ways to curb the alcohol problem is to understand how to stop it quickly by helping our youth.
Kids are More Prone to Alcohol Addiction
Believe it or not, most kids these days have tried alcohol by the time they reach about 13 or 14 years old. These statistics come from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which monitors alcohol trends in our country. Children are far more likely to develop a problem with alcoholism for a wide range of reasons. The primary reason is due to an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex of the brain.
This part of the brain is responsible for:
- Impulse control
- Emotional regulation
- Fear modulation
- Regulating the flow of dopamine
- Self-awareness
When you combine the fact that kids are already naturally risk-takers and impulsive, add alcohol and it becomes dangerous. Due to the increased flow of dopamine, young people experience different effects of alcohol. Not only can they get drunk more quickly due to their metabolic rate, but they can get hooked much easier. The other major issue is that teens often don’t understand addiction or healthy coping skills.
Alcohol Addiction and Aversion
Our brains are complex, and one of the most primitive parts of the brain makes us push away bad feelings. While this is a way to alert us of physical pain or when there’s a problem, it can lead to alcohol addiction and the need for addiction detox programs. Young people are under high amounts of stress even though many parents may not realize it. With going to school, playing sports, doing homework, trying to fit in and having romantic relationships, it’s rough.
Our schools mainly focus on academics and physical health, but not much has to do with mental health. When dealing with stress, anger or heartache, young people may find a solution when they drink alcohol. The effects of alcohol train the brain to make the connection that alcohol is a quick, easy solution for problems. Eventually, young people may use alcohol as a coping mechanism, which quickly leads to addiction.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Statistics
There have been many studies about teens and how their brains work, and different surveys show stunning results. In one study, it was found that teens believed another student was cooler based on the person’s substance abuse. Another study shows that most teens are far more likely to take risks driving when friends are around. In a teen’s mind, being accepted by others is one of their top priorities in life.
One of the other major issues that lead to alcohol addiction and substance abuse is a perception of success. Even with different drug and alcohol prevention methods, the message is hard to convey due to available celebrity information. While teens are taught that alcohol can be dangerous, they see many pop icons regularly indulging. Even when a celebrity has a known substance abuse problem, teens still see them as a successful person.
Getting Help At A Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center Houston
If you’re a parent who is concerned about your teen’s alcohol addiction or substance abuse problem, there’s hope. Addiction is a progressive disease, and it’s much easier to treat when the person is still young. Young people are still in the early stages of developing this habit, so it’s much easier to help them recover. Making the mistake of thinking it is just a phase can lead to the progression of this potentially fatal illness.
If you’re worried about your teen’s drinking, allow Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston to help him or her recover. We provide the first step in substance abuse treatment by helping your teenager through the alcohol detox process. With our help, your teen can have a safe, comfortable detox as well as the beginning treatment for recovery. For more information about how we can help your family begin the healing process, call us today at 866-546-8356.
