Alcohol abuse is a public health problem that affects everyone. Teen alcohol abuse is an especially serious issue that can have lifelong consequences for teens and families. The early warning signs of teen alcohol abuse may be subtle. Educating yourself about what to look for is crucial to identifying and intervening to prevent teen alcohol addiction. Today there are more teen alcohol addiction treatment programs available than ever before.
If you suspect a teen you love is abusing alcohol, help is available, and the sooner you reach out, the better. At Fort Behavioral Health, we have extensive experience supporting teens and their families through teen alcohol addiction treatment and recovery. Contact us today online or at 844.332.1807 to learn more and get help for a teen you love.
Signs of Teen Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse is an epidemic that affects the lives of millions of teenagers. Unfortunately, due to the prevalence of alcohol use in our society, it can be challenging to differentiate between routine teen experimentation and the warning signs of alcohol addiction.
Common signs of teen alcohol abuse may include:
- The inability to engage in everyday activities due to drinking
- Showing up late or missing activities regularly
- Drunk driving
- Trouble sleeping
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness about everyday life
- Developing legal or financial problems
- Being rude or disrespectful to loved ones due to drinking
- Smelling of alcohol regularly
- Stealing alcohol
- Being secretive about alcohol use
If you notice one or more of these symptoms of teen alcohol abuse, talk with your teen as soon as possible and consider reaching out for additional professional support. Our Fort Behavioral Health team has years of experience helping teens overcome alcohol addiction, and we can do the same for a teen in your life.
How Does Teen Alcohol Abuse Affect Teens?
During the teen years, the brain and body are still malleable, developing entities, and the solidified habits in the teen years can stick for a lifetime. In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol can have a catastrophic impact on a young person’s physical, mental, and emotional development.
Teens are beginning to form many of their future habits and decisions. Unfortunately, building a foundation of alcohol abuse can set teens up for years of pain and failure before they even realize what’s happening. Fortunately, there are more teen addiction treatment options available than ever before.
What to Do if a Teen You Love Is Abusing Alcohol
Taking time to educate your loved ones and yourself on what substance abuse is and what it looks like in teens can, in some cases, be the difference between life and death. For teens to understand their addiction, they need to be taught how to recognize the symptoms of adolescent alcohol abuse. If you notice any of these signs in a teenager you love, it may be time to get help.
When it comes to seeking help for a teen who may be abusing alcohol, the sooner you act, the better. Don’t wait for your teen to agree to it. Instead, you can take steps to get them the help they need and educate yourself.
Contact Fort Behavioral Health for Teen Alcohol Addiction Support Today
Our team at Fort Behavioral health has extensive experience treating and preventing teen alcohol addiction. We work to identify and treat the root causes of teen alcohol abuse in a clean, comfortable, and professional environment. In addition, we offer a full range of family support services such as support groups, individual therapy, 12-step, and Al-Anon meetings. Contact us today by calling 844.332.1807 or filling out our online contact form to get your teen the help they need and deserve.