Teens drink for a variety of reasons. In order for parents to stop their children from drinking, they first need to understand why they do it in the first place. Here are five reasons young adults turn to the bottle:
1. Media
Whether it's watching movies or TV shows or scrolling around social media, teens are constantly being bombarded with sights of people drinking and having a great time. In fact, 47 percent of teens believe that TV shows and movies display alcohol in a way that makes them want to consume it. Even "R" rated movies entice teenagers to drink more.
According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Colombia University, of the roughly 2,000 students surveyed, 70 percent said they use social media daily. Of that group, kids are three times more likely to consume alcohol because they see their peers online.
2. Friends
Children are taking their first sip of alcohol at an age younger than ever before. Today, the average age boys begin to drink is 11 while that age stands at 13 for girls. And they aren't just taking a sip of beer. When asked if they drink to get drunk, addiction counselor and author, Dick Schaefer noted that the kids replied, "Duh, that's why we do it."
If your children have friends who drink, there is an 84 percent chance they'll also drink to be more sociable, according to a Health and Social Care Information Centre.
3. Escape
One of the reasons to keep the lines of communication open between you and your teen is to ensure they always have an outlet to release their frustration. When they don't, they may turn to alternative measures, which often include drinking.
Drinking alcohol provides teens a way to self-medicate. The drink provides them with momentary happiness or confidence. While this is a temporary state-of-mind, the long-term, negative ramifications of these actions can severely impact a teenager's growth. The younger a person drinks, the more likely they'll become alcoholics.
4. Boredom
A 2002 study by Columbia University's National center on Addiction and Substance Abuse cited that young adults ages 12 to 17 who are frequently bored are also 50 percent more likely to drink than teenagers who have busy, after-school schedules.
Keep your teenager sober by enrolling them in after school activities, which will distract them from the practice of drinking.
5. Poor confidence
The Health and Social Care Information Centre noted that one of the major reasons underage adults drink underage is because it raises their self-esteem. They are more likely to act out of their comfort zone with a drink in their hand. It also alleviates social anxiety because they suddenly have a common bond with everyone they are hanging around.
Founded 25 years ago by Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, Fairwinds Treatment Center uses a Dual Diagnosis method to treat patients with alcoholism and other addictions. Dual Diagnosis combines clinical treatment and therapeutic counseling to identify the underlying reasons for addiction and resolve these psychological triggers.
