Understanding Underage Drinking

If your teen or adolescent is dealing with alcoholism, consider teen alcohol counseling and alcohol rehab near Fort Lauderdale. Alcohol is the substance most abused by adolescents in America. Teenagers are more like to try alcohol than cigarettes and other substances, and often drink excessively when alcohol is available.

The Appeal of Alcohol

When your child becomes a teenager, they are likely to begin taking risks, seeking independence, and rebelling against authority. They are also coping with changes in their body while trying to fit in socially with their peers. They might start drinking as a form of experimentation, but they may continue drinking if their home or family is unsettled or if they suffer from depression. Youths may also drink to adjust their image, to gain confidence, or to cope with social pressures, and can develop alcoholism as a result.

College Drinking

When your teenager goes to college, there are many situations where they may find themselves around alcohol and others who are drinking. Our culture is inundated with images and advertisements of young people consuming alcohol, and campus groups often hold parties where drinking is encouraged, which puts students in a situation where alcohol can seem appealing. Approximately four out of every five college students drink alcohol, and about half of those that do drink also binge drink. Students report that they will drink alcohol to lose their social inhibitions and enjoy themselves more. If a young person begins drinking alcohol, they are more likely to participate in unprotected sex and to try other substances. Adolescents or teens who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcoholism later on than those who wait until age 21 to begin drinking.

Prevention

Keeping alcohol out of reach and out of sight in your home can help prevent your teenager or adolescent from developing an underage drinking habit by limiting its availability. Educating youths about the representation of alcohol in our culture can help them prepare for situations where they may end up drinking alcohol or being around people who are.

Why Do Teens Use Alcohol and Drugs?

Teens are especially susceptible to alcoholism and drug addiction near Fort Lauderdale. Sadly, young adults who begin using alcohol and drugs early on are more likely to struggle with substance abuse for the rest of their lives. With early intervention and rehab, it is possible to make a full recovery and get on the path to a healthy, successful life. Teenagers use alcohol for many reasons, including social influences, self-medication, and natural insecurity. Keep reading to learn more.

Social Influences

Alcoholism and drug addiction are so prevalent in teens largely because they are more likely to be surrounded by a peer group that pressures them into substance abuse. Juveniles can begin using drugs as early as grade school. If they are frequently left unsupervised by parents or teachers, substance abuse can quickly turn into alcoholism or addiction. Teenagers frequently encounter drugs and alcohol at parties and social events. Often, their pressure to fit in leads them to make decisions that they would never otherwise make on their own.

Self-Medication

Teenagers can also turn to drug or alcohol abuse as a way to self-medicate feelings that they do not completely understand. Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia tend to surface during the young adult years. Teens may find themselves battling insomnia, unexplainable sadness, or feelings of isolation. Drugs and alcohol offer many a way to temporarily escape these unpleasant feelings. Even mentally healthy teenagers feel naturally insecure and uncomfortable with their looks, athletic ability, or school performance. Drugs and alcohol offer a way to cope.

Simple Boredom

Many young adults crave excitement and constant stimulation, which makes drugs and alcohol so appealing. If your son or daughter has few extracurricular activities or does not appear to be engaged in schoolwork or sports, he or she may seek older friends outside of school. Teenagers are naturally rebellious, so enforcing too strict of a schedule upon teenagers can inspire them to act out.

The Parent’s Guide to Teen Drug Abuse

Do you believe your teenager could benefit from drug rehab in Fort Lauderdale? Whether your son or daughter may already be using drugs or you simply want to educate yourself, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the signs of substance abuse and addiction. A parent always knows a child best, and experts encourage parents to start conversations with their teens if they notice any signs of trouble. Keep reading to learn what you should watch for when it comes to teen drug abuse, including behavioral shifts, health changes, and psychological warnings.

Behavioral Shifts

Behavioral shifts are one of the first signs of teen drug abuse or addiction. Eventually, drug abuse catches up with anyone, and even occasionally using illegal substances can affect a teen’s grades, job, and relationships. Many teens will start skipping class or getting in trouble at school. Others may miss work or appear obviously unmotivated. Parents are usually made aware of these problems when teachers, bosses, or friends complain.

Health Changes

If your teen’s health has been declining and there is no medical explanation, he or she may need addiction recovery help. Physical signs of drug use include small pupils, bloodshot eyes, and frequent nosebleeds. Many teens also allow their physical appearances to deteriorate. They may stop taking regular showers, eating solid meals, or sleeping through the night. As a result, teens can lose or gain significant amounts of weight. He or she may also have unusual smells on the body, breath, or clothing.

Psychological Warnings

Personality changes and mood shifts are also signs of drug addiction or substance abuse. Your son or daughter may be noticeably irritable or become angry for little or no reason. Some teens can also appear hyperactive or agitated, while others seem unmotivated or unable to focus. If your teen seems withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, he or she may be using drugs. Appearing lethargic or spaced out is another psychological sign of drug abuse.

Preparing to Talk to Your Teen

Teen therapy near Fort Lauderdale is an essential part of helping many teenagers recover from alcoholism or addiction. Watch this video to learn how you should prepare to talk to your son or daughter about drug and alcohol abuse.

It can seem overwhelming to confront your son or daughter about alcoholism or addiction. Instead of simply demanding that he or she get immediate treatment for substance abuse or face severe consequences, it helps to address the root of a teen substance problem. Making sure you understand why he or she is feeling isolated, rebellious, or unhappy is key to helping your child succeed in substance abuse treatment.

How Alcoholism Starts

Alcoholism can seriously affect every aspect of your life, from your job to your family. The circumstances of every person’s alcohol dependency are different, but many of the same patterns can be seen in different cases. Many people begin to become dependent on alcohol when they drink frequently to deal with stress or to relax. As their body’s alcohol tolerance increases, they need to drink more to feel the effects of the alcohol. Eventually, they find themselves needing to have a drink—and then more than one drink—on a regular basis. If a person begins to experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, depression, or fatigue after not having a drink, it’s a strong sign of alcohol dependence.

One of the hardest things about confronting your alcoholism is admitting that you have a problem in the first place. If you are interested in learning how to stop drinking in Fort Lauderdale, contact an alcoholism counseling center as soon as possible.

The Teen’s Guide to Recognizing Drug Problems

Teen drug abuse and addiction in Fort Lauderdale can have serious, lasting consequences. If you suspect that a friend or family member has a problem with drug addiction, you should seek help from an adult who can help him a teen drug counseling and substance abuse treatment program. Here is a helpful guide to recognizing the signs that your friend might have a problem with drug abuse or drug addiction.

Personality Changes

If your friend exhibits personality changes, that doesn’t automatically mean that he has a problem with drug or alcohol abuse. However, sudden and significant changes in mood or personality are a sign that your friend needs to talk to an adult or a professional counselor. If you notice that your friend has suddenly become withdrawn, depressed, anxious, angry, frequently tired or sick, or disinterested in activities that he previously enjoyed, he is exhibiting serious personality changes. If these occur in combination with other warning signs, you should talk to an adult about the fact that your friend might have a drug addiction.

Problems in School

Drug and alcohol abuse can make it incredibly difficult to keep up in school. If your friend has a drug addiction, he may frequently miss class, or stop coming to school entirely. His grades will begin to slip, and he will get poor scores on assignments, projects, papers, and tests, if he participates in them at all. He may also have tension or problems with school administrators, and be frequently called to the principal’s office or put in detention. If you notice that your friend is developing problems in school that he didn’t have before, you should talk to a trusted adult about the possibility of drug or alcohol abuse.

Difficulties with Friends and Family Members

Another common sign of a drug addiction or drug abuse is frequent difficulties with friends and family. If your friend is suddenly experiencing regular conflict with friends and family members that he used to get along with, he may have a drug or alcohol problem.

The Effects of Teen Drinking

When your child becomes involved in underage drinking near Fort Lauderdale, the results can be devastating. Alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse can significantly impair your teen’s physical, mental, and emotional health, and can impact every other aspect of his personal and academic life. Here is a look at some of the most common and dangerous effects of underage drinking.

Delayed Brain Development

Scientists have determined that the brain does not become fully developed until around the age of 24. The areas of the brain that continue developing in adolescents are areas responsible for stress response, managing drives, critical thinking, and understanding the consequences of actions. Underage drinking can significantly stunt, delay, or prevent brain development in these areas. Alcohol can also damage the frontal regions of the brain, causing lifelong neurological problems. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may also cause seizures, which can further damage the brain.

Increased Risk of Emotional and Mental Health Problems

Underage drinking also greatly increases a teen’s risk of suffering from emotional and mental health problems. Teen alcohol abuse can contribute to depression, anxiety, personality changes, and other serious emotional and psychological symptoms. Chronic or heavy alcohol abuse may put a teen at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, ideation, and suicide attempts. The neurological problems associated with alcohol abuse and alcohol withdrawal can also increase a teen’s risk of developing mental health problems later in life.

Social and Academic Difficulties

Chronic alcohol abuse can decrease school performance, and even cause teens to stop going to school entirely. Studies have shown that teens who participate in underage drinking miss classes, fall behind in school work, perform badly on papers and exams, and receive lower grades overall. Alcohol abuse and underage drinking also put extreme stress on a teen’s social and familial relationships. The other problems that result from underage drinking have a significant effect on relationships with family and friends. Teens also tend to lie more, break house rules, get into fights more often, and hang out with other teens with substance abuse problems, further degrading their social and familial relationships.

How Alcohol Affects the Brain

Because the brain does not finish developing until you reach the age of 24, drug abuse and alcohol abuse in Fort Lauderdale can have a profound effect on your brain. Underage drinking can significantly delay the development of crucial areas of the brain. Chronic alcohol abuse can cause serious, permanent brain damage.

Watch this video to learn more about how alcohol abuse can affect the brain. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction or drug addiction, you should talk to a trusted adult about the possibility of participating in teen alcohol counseling or substance abuse treatment.

Meet CEO Cici Kelly

Every member of the Bougainvilla House is dedicated to providing teens and their families with the professional care and resources needed to overcome drug and alcohol abuse. Teens are a particularly high-risk group for alcohol abuse and addiction, so it is important that they have dedicated facilities to get the rehabilitation necessary for a long and healthy life.

In addition to a skilled clinical staff, the Bougainvilla House relies on its management team, which is led by CEO, Cici Kelly. Ms. Kelly has a diverse business background, having worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies before joining the team in Fort Lauderdale. Before taking on the role of CEO, Ms. Kelly served on the Board of Bougainvilla House, a position that offered her unique perspective on the business side of teen drug and alcohol counseling services. The management team also includes a Clinical Director and Director of Finance and Administration to ensure that the business is up and running to provide teens with the help they need.