Are you concerned that your teen is hiding alcohol abuse? You are not alone. Today, about 20% of teens binge drink. For some people they can have one or two drinks and stop, for others, it is not that easy.
Alcohol has a great effect on the teenage brain than it does on the adult brain. This is because the teenage brain continues to develop until around the age of 25. Alcohol abuse can have a lasting effect on the teenage brain.
Teens secret hiding places for alcohol
Kids have many ways to keep their alcohol abuse a secret. In fact, it may be hard to tell if they are drinking alcohol or not.
Some of the hiding places teens have for alcohol include:
- Mouthwash bottles
- Shampoo bottles
- Sports drink bottles
- Water bottles
- Flasks
These are some of the places your teen can use to hide alcohol. They may have other creative ways to hide it as well.
Signs of teen alcohol abuse
It is important that you know the signs of teen alcohol abuse so that you can help your teen with the right treatments.
Signs of teen alcohol abuse include the following:
- Changes in personal hygiene and appearance
- Changes in relationships, they may fall in with a new crowd and spend less time with their longtime friends and family
- Mood swings, while teens are prone to mood swings with fluctuations in their hormones, if you see your teen unusually silent, sullen, depressed or tired it could be alcohol abuse
- Problems in school, falling grades, skipping school, or more sick days
- Using more mouthwash or cough syrup even when they do not have a cold
- Missing money or valuables, missing alcohol from your cupboard
- Lying about where they have been or money
These are all signs your teen could have a problem with alcohol or drugs.
Helping your child if they abusing alcohol
You need to keep communications with your teen open. Discuss the dangers of alcohol and drugs without accusations. Read up on the dangers of drugs and alcohol before the discussion, watch the news for new drugs that are putting teens at risk, and know the signs.
Discuss the issues that could happen with addiction, the type of treatments and rehab available to those addicted, with your teen; this lets them know that help is available if they ever have a problem. The main thing is to let them know that they can come to you for help without judgment from you the parents.
At 449 Recovery, it is our goal to help each client overcome all the challenges on the road to recovery. We provide an environment that is safe and will encourage recovery. We provide monitored detoxification, in conjunction with long term treatment programs at 449 Recovery are provided in a caring and structured atmosphere. If you are ready to begin your journey to recovery please give us a call at (855) 435-7449 today!