Saturday 7 April 2012

Signs your child is drinking alcohol


Of all illegal substances, alcohol is the most used and abused by American teenagers. The average boy has his first drink at eleven years of age and the average girl at thirteen. By age fourteen, 41% of children have had at least one drink, although the legal age for the consumption of alcohol is twenty-one.

The prohibition against teen drinking is in effect for a reason. Alcohol is a poison. Immature body organs are damaged more readily than those of adults. The liver can be adversely affected, and the heart may start to beat so irregularly that it can stop. Breathing becomes shallow and body temperature falls.

Every winter, there are news reports of intoxicated teenagers who fall unconscious into snowdrifts and freeze to death.

Death also occurs when a teen becomes unconscious, vomits, and chokes to death on his own vomit. Because alcohol enters the blood stream quickly, it goes right to the brain and inexperienced youngsters can become dangerously intoxicated before they realize it.

A responsible parent will stay alert for clues that their teen is abusing alcohol. Here are some signs to watch for:

* Your child starts hanging out with a different peer group. They appear older and more independent, and parental supervision seems minimal or absent. Your child is reluctant to have you get acquainted with these new friends.

* Her school marks begin to fall for no obvious reason and she loses interest in her other activities as well. She may start skipping classes and spend very little time on homework.

* She lets her appearance slip, consistently has a low energy level and a "nothing matters" attitude.

* When he comes home chewing a fresh wad of flavored gum, or smelling of strong shaving lotion, he may be trying to mask the smell of the alcohol on his breath.

* When he comes home after an evening with his friends, watch for extreme behavior. Is he very clumsy or unusually tired? Is he nauseated and does he stumble as he heads for the washroom? Is he loud and obnoxious, or laughing hysterically at nothing?

* Engage her in conversation and check her eyes. If she's been drinking alcohol, her pupils will be dilated and she may have trouble focusing on you.

* If she's been driving, check the car for empty beer cans, bottles or alcohol fumes. Look for new dents in the fenders which she can't explain.

* If the supply of alcohol in the home starts disappearing, or if it begins to taste very watery, be suspicious. Lock it up and keep the key in a safe place.

* Alcohol is expensive. Don't leave money lying around the house and alert family members to do the same.

* If your teen suddenly seems to need more cash, and talks about getting a part-time job, ask why the extra funds are required.

* Occasional physical or mental problems such as memory lapses, inability to concentrate, slurred speech and poor coordination, may be signs that your child is abusing alcohol.

If your teenager has several or all of these symptoms, he should be checked for alcoholism, and treatment should start immediately. Without appropriate medical care. and therapy he is risking serious health problems. In addition, his future career prospects and social success may be permanently and irretrievably damaged.

You're the parent. You have to act. Your child's future is in your hands.

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