Power of Parents ® High School Handbook
Chapter 4
Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling with Alcohol Use
If your teen is struggling with alcohol use, you may notice alcohol missing from your home, hidden bottles, or an unusual reliance on breath mints or mouthwash to mask the smell. Behavioral changes like mood swings, secretiveness, loss of interest in activities, declining grades, or borrowing money frequently can also be warning signs. If you suspect your teen is struggling, don’t ignore the problem—address it with care and urgency.
Parent Tip: Balance clear expectations with support. Do: Stay calm, express concern, and guide them toward responsibility. Don’t: React with punishment before understanding the situation.
Breaking News: Dr. Turrisi’s most frequently asked question from a parent is, “Can experimenting with drinking alcohol in the teen years result in long-term alcohol problems?” First, studies show that the earlier teens start to drink the heavier they drink when in high school and after high school. Second, the data also show that heavy drinking in high school is associated with higher incidences of blackouts during and after high school. Alcohol blackouts are where individuals are still awake, but their brains are no longer forming memories so they cannot recall parts of the evening the next day. Recent research has shown that blackouts are considered to be accelerants for more and serious problems. Third, the data shows that blackouts in high school are a strong predictor of having an alcohol use disorder at a young age (e.g., 20-21). Symptoms of an alcohol use disorder include: • Drinking more, or longer, than intended • Wanting to cut down or stop drinking but cannot • Spending a lot of time drinking or being sick from drinking • Having to drink more to get an effect • Finding that when the effects of alcohol are wearing off you experience trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or seizures If you notice any of these signs in your teen, consult with your family physician right away.
30
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software