Teen alcoholism is more common than you may think. Our program for troubled teens can help.
Alcoholism comes hand in hand with a number of negative health effects, but teen alcoholism is especially dangerous. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 22.7 percent of people ages 12-20 reported drinking alcohol in the past month — 14.2 percent of those people engaged in binge drinking (4-5 drinks on the same occasion) and 3.7 percent engaged in heavy drinking (5 or more drinks on the same occasion). Clearly, teen drinking is a major problem but there are programs for troubled teens that can help.
Dangers of Teen Alcoholism
The staff here at Ozarks Teen Challenge has helped many young men struggling with substance abuse. Our program for troubled teens is designed to educate young men and their families on the negative health effects associated with teen alcohol abuse, as well as information on solutions for recovery. Below are just a few of the dangers of teen drinking that all parents and teens should be aware of.
Decreased attention span and memory. Research shows that the teenage brain is still not fully developed and heavy drinking can cause parts of the brain to be smaller than they should be. Excessive teen drinking can also cause developmental problems.
Suicide. Teens who drink heavily are statistically more likely to attempt suicide.
Drug abuse. Excess alcohol use often leads to the abuse of other substances such as marijuana, ecstasy, heroin or cocaine. This kind of teen substance often requires some kind of drug treatment.
Increased risk for dangerous sexual activity. Teens who abuse alcohol are more likely to have unprotected sex, engage in promiscuous behavior more often, and become a victim of sexual assault.
Death. Every year, thousands of young people’s lives are lost due to car crashes involving underage drinking.
Why Teens Drink
As a parent, you may not understand why your teen chooses to engage in binge drinking or heavy drinking, and the reasons may not always be clear. A program for troubled teens such as Ozarks Teen Challenge will encourage your son to take a good look at himself and his motivations. Many teens find themselves spiraling down the path of alcoholism due to peer pressure in their social circles. Others use drinking as a way to mask or cope with emotional problems like depression or anxiety. Some teens even use alcohol as a way to simply cure their boredom. There are many reasons why teens choose to drink but a program for troubled teens can help your son let go of his substance abuse and find freedom in a clear and sober mind.
Our Program for Troubled Teens Can Help
Teens who abuse alcohol and other substances not only hurt themselves, but everyone else around them. Our Christian boarding school offers a 5-phase program for troubled teens that focuses on discipleship and personal growth while providing the necessary drug and alcohol treatment for effective teen rehab.
Our 9-12 month program for troubled teens provides your son with a safe, encouraging, and loving learning environment where he can learn how to build positive relationships, discover his own personal value, learn how to be a servant leader, and safeguard his faith.
If your son is struggling with alcoholism or any kind of substance abuse, Ozarks Teen Challenge can help. We provide a range of services including behavioral therapy, wilderness therapy programs, individual and group counseling and drug treatment. Contact us today to learn more about our program for troubled teens.
