Alcohol and adolescence: causes of abuse and ways to protect your children from it

The problem of alcohol is not a newcomer, but it has recently worsened, as it has spread among teenagers to a large extent until it has become a problem for many parents. Your teenage son may not be safe from alcohol at school, in the street, or with friends, and one of the most effective solutions to this problem may be talking to the child about The harms and consequences of alcohol, but before that, let's look at the reasons why teens use alcohol.

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Why are teens more likely to slip into alcohol than others?

Usually, a young person in adolescence is more prone to alcohol addiction than any other stage and this is due to several reasons, the most important of which are:

• Making friendships with teens who are used to drinking alcohol.
• Living in a family environment where drug abuse is frequent, where alcohol abuse becomes normal even at an early age.
• Exposure to traumatic events in a teen's life may be a strong motivator for alcohol abuse.
• Get used to attending private parties where it is easy to get all kinds of drugs, not just alcohol.
• Young people’s feeling of low self-esteem in adolescence may be a routine thing, but on the other hand, if they do not find guidance or supervision from the family, it may be one of the reasons for alcohol abuse.

How to keep your son from slipping into an alcohol swamp?

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Whatever the son does, he remains under the responsibility of the parents, and they must do anything to bring him up in a proper upbringing.

• Talk to your teen about alcohol whenever possible

Some may consider that just engaging in such a conversation with a teenager is a big mistake, but on the contrary, if the discussion is calm and without fanaticism, it will be easier for the teenager to explain his view of alcohol, and this will make it easier for parents to know the situation of the son early, the earlier the parents intervene to treat this problem, the more likely it is Teenager out of this tunnel bigger.
Also, your narration of some bad experiences about alcohol abuse will have a strong effect on keeping the teenager away from this circle.

• Mention to him the harm of alcohol, as fear may prevent him from taking it.

There is no doubt that alcohol has complications and dangers that are not limited to adults and children, but its impact is more severe on adolescents, especially those who drink excessively.

• One of the most important risks of teenage alcohol use may be addiction later on. Teens are more likely to drink large amounts when they have the opportunity.

• Alcohol abuse causes a lot of health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney weakness, destruction of the digestive system, in addition to weak immunity.

• Mental health problems, where many studies have shown that alcohol abuse causes damage to the brain of adolescents, unlike adults, which may never be cured.

• In many cases, alcohol abuse is associated with poor academic achievement, which negatively affects his later life.

• Other ways that may help prevent your children from alcohol abuse.

There are many other ways to prevent a teenager from taking this path:

• The best of them may be to be the role model. Whatever you say to your son, he will only learn from your actions.

• It is a good idea to set rules for your children to follow, for example, that they leave any party if those in it drink alcohol, or not hang out with any friend who is addicted to alcohol or drugs, etc.

• Allocating time to talk to him and learn everything new that occurs in his life, especially his new friendships.

• Sometimes it may reach the need for a specialist, doctor, or health care provider to intervene if you realize that your son is in an advanced stage or that he has become addicted.