Young People and Drug Abuse Today

 

Alateen is part of Al‑Anon Family Groups. Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members who help the group to stay on track. Alateens come together to:

share experiences, strength, and hope with each other
discuss difficulties
learn effective ways to cope with problems
encourage one another
help each other understand the principles of the Al-Anon program
learn how to use the Twelve Steps and Alateen's Twelve Traditions

 

Members and Professionals talk about Alateen

Where do Al-Anon Family Groups meet?

 

Local Al-Anon contact information and meeting schedules: Al-Anon Family Groups meet in most U.S. and Canadian communities.  Community-based Al-Anon Information Services and Web sites can connect you to local Al-Anon groups in the U.S. and Canada.   Or call 888-4AL-ANON (888-425-2666) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday.

 

It's easy to underestimate how early underage drinking starts — sometimes even in the preteen years — as well as the amount of alcohol teens drink and the risks involved. Still, underage drinking isn't inevitable. You can encourage your teen to avoid alcohol by talking to him or her about the risks of underage drinking and the importance of making good decisions.

Why teens drink

 

Teens are particularly vulnerable to alcohol use. The physical changes of puberty might make your teen feel self-conscious and more likely to take risks — such as experiment with alcohol — to fit in or please others. Also, your teen might have trouble understanding that his or her actions can have adverse consequences. Common risk factors for underage drinking include:

 

Transitions, such as the move from middle school to high school or getting a driver's license
Increased stress at home or school
Family problems, such as conflict or parental alcohol abuse
A history of behavior problems or mental health conditions

 

Consequences of underage drinking

 

Whatever causes a teen to drink, the consequences may be the same. For example, underage drinking can lead to:

 

Alcohol-related fatalities. Alcohol-related accidents are a leading cause of teen deaths. Teen drownings, suicides and murders also have been linked with alcohol use.
Sexual activity. Teens who drink tend to become sexually active earlier and have sex more often than do teens who don't drink. Teens who drink are also more likely to have unprotected sex than are teens who don't drink.

School problems. Teens who drink tend to have more academic and conduct problems than do teens who don't drink. Also, drinking can lead to temporary or permanent suspension from sports and other extracurricular activities.

Alcoholism. People who begin drinking as young teens are more likely to develop alcohol dependence than are people who wait until they're adults to drink.
Being a victim of violent crime. Alcohol-related crimes might include rape, assault and robbery.

 

In addition, research shows that alcohol use may permanently distort a teen's emotional and intellectual development. Mayo Clinic staff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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