ALCOHOL
A MESSAGE FOR PARENTS
Some parents breathe a sigh of relief when they find
out their teen-ager is "only" drinking alcohol. "At least he's not taking
drugs," they often say.
"Beer isn't that bad..."
NOT TRUE - alcohol can be a harmful substance. Still, most parents think it's the "lesser
of evils" because it's legal, and they may be more accepting of its
use. Lax attitudes have led to a
continuing increase in alcohol use by teen-agers, and today it is the most
commonly used mind-altering substance.
Adolescent drinking often begins between ages 11 and
13. Considering that alcohol is in many,
if not most,
Alcohol depresses the nervous system. It appeals to
people of all ages because a drink or two can relax them, often making them
feel more comfortable and confident around others. Research shows that drinking also is
associated with early sexual intercourse, unintended pregnancies and sexually
transmitted diseases. Once pregnant, a
girl who continues to drink, not knowing she is pregnant, exposes her baby to
greater risk of birth defects.
Large amounts of alcohol can affect judgment, lead to
risky and even violent behavior and slow down reaction time. The leading cause of death of
Other problems can be caused by mixing drugs. Drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at the
same time, for example, further distorts the senses and makes coordination
problems even worse. Whether used alone
or in combination with other drugs, alcohol can interfere with normal
development and growth of young teen-agers.
It can cause permanent physical and psychological damage through injury,
poor school performance, depression, etc.
Suicide and homicide - the second and third leading causes of teen-age
death - are strongly associated with alcohol use.
So, before you go easy on teen-agers drinking alcohol, don't lose sight of how harmful it can be. If your adolescent has become a problem drinker, s/he may need professional help. Talk to your pediatrician.
or
e-mail us at cheshireyouthservices@cheshirect.org.