Because it is legal and readily available, alcohol presents a complicated danger to adolescents and teens. We live in a culture that views drinking an ordinary social function. While there are instances of alcohol abuse, it’s assumed these are rare. However, the fact of the matter is quite different. Through television, print ads, and social media, adolescents face continual exposure to the temptation of alcohol. Teens regularly see alcohol portrayed as an ordinary or even positive activity making it very difficult to underscore the danger it presents to their still-developing body and mind. Additionally, peer pressure increases the risk of a teenager succumbing to alcohol abuse. The following information covers five teen alcohol stats that some parents may find disturbing.
Venture Academy understands the challenges facing adolescents and young adults when it comes to alcohol abuse. Therefore, we offer several unique substance abuse treatment programs for teens designed to meet their specific needs in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Five Alarming Teen Alcohol Stats
When you take a moment to look over the information on teen alcohol abuse, you’ll discover you have to revise your understanding of alcohol abuse. The following five teen alcohol stats may surprise you, but it’s important to learn the truth about this sensitive topic:
- As many as 35% of teens 15 or under have tried alcohol at some point
- One out of every six teens engages in binge drinking regularly
- Over eight million teens between the ages of 13–20 consumed alcohol in the last month
- Nearly 70% of teens around the age of 18 have tried alcohol at least once
- Over 180,000 annual emergency room visits result from the effects of underage drinking
If these statistics seem shocking to you as the parent of a teenager, you’re not alone. Many adults underestimate the serious and frequent nature with which this problem occurs. It is important that parents remain aware of the signs of an alcohol abuse problem.
Signs of an Alcohol Abuse Problem
In observing these teen alcohol stats, we can gain a lot of awareness of the impact these issues can create on public safety. Underage drinking doesn’t just affect the teens who engage in it. These behaviours affect the family dynamics of the individual, as well as the public at large. The following two signs of alcohol abuse can let you know when professional drug and alcohol treatment might be a necessary step.
Spending Time Alone
Teens are generally social individuals who love to be around others. If your teen begins choosing to spend much of their time alone, they may have a problem with substance abuse or an accompanying depression.
Changes in Appearance or Personality Traits
A teen who is abusing alcohol may change in personality traits or physical appearance. They may stop taking care of their personal hygiene or experience rashes on their skin. Alternatively, they may also lose weight due to an appetite suppressing effect of alcohol.
Helping Your Teen Get Proper Treatment
As parents, it’s only natural to want to see your children succeed at everything they do. The teen alcohol stats in the list above are very concerning to many parents. It is important to keep a positive relationship with your teen. This way, they’ll feel comfortable talking to you about personal matters such as underage drinking. Many clinical services exist to help your teen triumph over alcohol abuse.
Venture Academy
Venture Academy is a rehab facility with several locations throughout Canada that offer quality struggling teen programs. By approaching behaviour treatment in a holistic manner, they can get to the bottom of each individual’s personal needs in the most effective way.
Don’t continue to let your teen suffer from alcohol abuse. Contact Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 to find out how we can help you recover fully.
