Many teenagers in Colorado experiment with drinking alcohol. Some teens quickly learn about the dangers of drinking, but others fall into unhealthy and dangerous patterns. Binge drinking and alcoholism are two serious issues that can lead to health problems and other issues. Learning about the potential consequences can encourage you to get the teenagers in your life help.
Effects on Physical Health
Binge drinking and alcoholism can be deadly to teenagers. If they drink too much, they could overdose. Alcohol can inhibit teenagers’ abilities to make rational decisions. Therefore, they might engage in risky behaviors that cause harm to themselves or others.
Drinking heavily, even at a young age, could have long-term effects on the brain or on heart health. Furthermore, drinking heavily could lead to teenagers being overweight or obese. Youngsters who are drinking regularly might find that they have difficulty keeping up with their peers or that they struggle to feel energetic.
Effects on Mental Health
Some teenagers drink heavily because they think doing so can cure issues that they are experiencing with their mental health. For example, teens might believe that when they drink, they are getting rid of their anxiety and depression. The fact of the matter is that consuming excessive alcohol might actually lead to or exacerbate these mental health issues.
Teen alcohol addiction can also lead to a lack of confidence. Young people may feel embarrassed about how much alcohol they are consuming and begin to cut ties with their friends. Teens might isolate themselves from their peers. Colorado Counseling Training provides resources specific to both alcohol addiction and mental health as the two are often closely tied together.
Social and Educational Harm
As the feelings of isolation grow, teenagers may no longer want to engage in social activities or extracurricular activities. The ways in which heavy drinking and alcoholism affect physical and mental health can also lead to a decline in educational success. Students who are feeling physically exhausted or mentally depressed from drinking may not care about school as much as they once did.
Identifying and Treating the Issues
One major benefit of going to counseling is that teenagers can have their specific issues identified and treated. For example, the counselor can help to identify triggers. It’s also possible for a teenager to have a comorbidity. The counselors can work to come up with a plan to treat both the alcohol addiction and the other mental health issue as they may very well be connected.
Providing Support
When teenagers are dealing with alcohol addiction and binge drinking, they can feel as though no one supports them. In fact, they may think that the adults in their lives are angry with them. Going to counseling can remind teenagers that they are not alone on this journey and can provide them with the necessary support.
If teenagers in your life are abusing alcohol, intervene so that you can help these youngsters get the necessary assistance. You can contact our team at Colorado Counseling Training to get connected with more resources.
