Youth Alcoholism
Teenagers comprise approximately 20% of our population . Many of these adolescents arise out of families who have considerable problems. Many times, there are chemical dependencies , grave marital conflicts where a child sees one parent abusing another, money issues and even mental illness. Based on these surroundings , and with teens going through their own hormonal imbalance and puberty, the moods of these teens are not particularly stable and this can lead to depression. This age group has a significant amount of psychological problems and are in urgency of counseling or psychiatry. Sadly to say, they turn to substances to numb their feelings , the most prevalent one being alcohol. The ages are getting younger and younger, with boys being approximately 12 and girls 13.
A lot of this is friends trying to make them do things they shouldn’t . Trying to fit in, wanting to be accepted, wanting to be part of the in-crowd. Some look at their own parents or older brothers and sisters and use substances as they do.
Once started and once alcohol becomes a numbing factor , the adolescent will continue to use alcohol or drugs on a regular basis and it will become a standard, leading to alcoholism. Alcohol can lead them to other drugs, harder drugs. Soon they develop a tolerance to their substance and they become so addicted, that the child is in a state of ambivalence. It is possible that they will be seen isolating themselves , or out with friends constantly. it may present itself, where they leave behind the activities of daily living and progress to a disheveled state. It actually comes to a point where they cannot control themselves and feel that the only way they can feel “normal” is to drink or use drugs.
Adults are having a hard time to understand and acknowledge alcoholism. Prevention is probably the best method. Taking into fact what is happening in the students lives, the friends they hang out with, how they are doing in school. Some parents have actually begun to be so concerned , that they have come to use portable breathalyzers to determine the drug/alcohol level in their child’s system.
Learning institutions are using a alcohawk breathalyzer when they see certain students who appear intoxicated or high on the school grounds . They use breathalyzers as a preventative measure for school functions such as dances or games.
Adolescents will soon become part of a different crowd, one who enjoys doing drinking and drugging. Teens tend to blackout due to their lack of being able to tolerate alcohol. There usually will be family issues more consistently when teens are abusing substances . They also try to run away, thinking that either they are the root of the family problem or just cannot cope with having to answer to authority figures.
When changes in habits and withdrawal from activities are seen, parents or teachers have to step in . There will be fighting and verbal arguments arising with people who they believe want to control them. Their lives will revolve around drugs and alcohol and its use. A lot of times, they know what is happening and feel desperate to be able to stop it . They will lose their self esteem and become depressed. Unfortunately, some teens who drink too much will find it much easier to take their own lives in an attempt to ease the pain. The depression becomes so great that they can see no way out of their situation and feel ending it all is the only way .
It has become a concern amongst parents, teachers and peers over the concerns of teens who are alcoholics. It is of the utmost importance to delve into this situation and be aware of what our children are doing. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Sometimes using a alcohawk breathalyzer seems like it is a form of mistrust, but it may be a preventative way. It should be the focus of adults to advise their children or students that they are loved and that the tactics used are only to keep them around and in a healthy way.
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