Clearfork Academy, a teen-focused rehab center based in Texas, has published a new guide for parents with teens struggling with alcohol abuse. The resource explains how to initiate a conversation with a teenager who has been drinking and which professional treatment options are available.
For more information, please visit https://clearforkacademy.com/blog/how-to-help-a-teenager-with-alcohol-problems-tips-treatment-options/
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, underage drinking is one of the leading causes of death in Americans under the age of 21. Alcohol is especially harmful to teenagers because it increases the risk of injury, death, physical or sexual assault, and additional substance abuse problems later in life. Research has also shown that alcohol impairs brain development, potentially altering structure and function permanently, but in spite of the dangers, teenagers may still engage in underage drinking due to peer pressure, stress, mental illness, or the desire for independence.
Because alcohol is so harmful for teenagers, Clearfork Academy’s guide says that it’s important for parents to interfere during the earliest stages of alcohol dependence, but they must also ensure that they take an appropriate approach. Conversations initiated during calm, private moments are more likely to be productive than those started in public spaces, when the teen is already drinking, or other situations where the teen may feel cornered or ashamed. During this conversation, parents should also highlight their concern rather than expressing shame or judgment and make an effort to listen to the teen’s perspective; however, they should also set clear boundaries and consequences for drinking and encourage the teen to accept professional support.
Clearfork Academy adds that while not every teen will require the same amount of care for their alcohol addiction, most will benefit from teen-specific rehab. Heavier or dependent drinkers may need a supervised medical detox followed by a residential treatment program. During these programs, teens with severe alcohol use disorder will stay in a safe and structured environment and have access to evidence-based therapies that can address factors that contributed to their addiction; they will also learn healthier coping skills that can help prevent relapse beyond treatment.
For teens with a milder addiction, Clearfork Academy says that outpatient treatments are often sufficient. Additionally, families can consider joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous to help their teen foster connections with peers, which can aid in long-term sobriety.
More information is available at https://clearforkacademy.com/