It is in every parent’s nature to worry about their child. This feeling intensifies even more when the child is in their formative teenage years. Adolescents are exposed to many things that are beyond their parents’ control and knowledge. It is up to them to distinguish right from wrong. Parents must cling to the hope that they did a good job instilling in them the life lessons necessary for dealing with challenging situations. But if you suspect that your teen has begun drinking alcohol, immediately start reading up on teen alcohol treatment in Los Angeles.

As soon as you suspect that your teen may have a drinking problem, get them into an alcohol treatment program for teens. Try to tackle the problem quickly, before it starts to have a significant effect on your teenager’s life. Alcoholism robs your child of the sober life that they deserve.

Types of teen alcohol treatment

Alcohol abuse among teens needs to be handled appropriately — children require a different treatment approach than alcoholic adults. Adolescents are in their formative years, so a drinking problem will have a significant negative impact on their lives. Rehabilitation centers in Los Angeles that acknowledge this fact would be your best option. 

There are several types of teen alcohol treatment approaches, from inpatient or outpatient programs to mentoring and companioning. All of these seek to help both teenagers and parents combat alcoholism. The best programs focus on rehabilitation, recovery, and creating a healthy home environment and social relations.

In these programs, teenagers are exposed to behavioral therapies that often include their families as well. Both individual and group therapies are effective ways to help teenagers overcome their drinking problems. 

Crash course: Dealing with a recovering alcoholic teenager

Although a drinking problem directly affects the teenager, there is no denying that family members also face its impacts. There is no immediate resolution for that. As a parent, you will have to face these issues after your teen’s rehab. Some of the ways to help a recovering teen involves:

• Being realistic with your expectations

Even if your child has completed a treatment program, it does not mean that they have completely overcome their alcohol issues. Recovery is a continuous process — it can sometimes be a lifetime challenge. Your teen will experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as mood swings. Don’t let yourself get carried away by unreasonable expectations, and you won’t get disappointed. At the same time, don’t take it out on your child. Always be positive, no matter what missteps might occur. Your support will be a solid foundation for your teen’s recovery.

• Educating yourself about recovery

Getting through rehab is an excellent feat for teenagers with alcohol problems. But what awaits after that — the recovery process — is a long-term, complicated stage. You’ll have to learn everything you can about recovery and how its effects might impact your home environment. 

• Enforcing changes at home

Your home life will need to see changes to prevent any relapses. Something about its previous setup might have been inadequate. To maintain your teen’s sobriety, you need to make some necessary adjustments. Start by removing all the alcohol at home. Go with the mantra: ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’ Also, avoid attending social gatherings that will involve alcohol. Exposing them to these triggers can make them want to drink again.

Being a parent is difficult, especially if your teenager has found solace in alcohol abuse. As your doubts start to accumulate, you are left wondering whether your child has turned into an alcoholic or if they are experiencing something else entirely. You need to determine the real issue so you can consider options like teen alcohol abuse treatment in Los Angeles. 

Adolescence is a complicated stage, full of changes and experimentation. So, how can you distinguish alcohol abuse from crucial formative experiences? Trust your parental instincts — they will let you identify your teen’s struggles.  

Signs and symptoms of teen alcohol abuse: What to look for?

Take into account that everyone experiences alcohol abuse differently. However, understanding alcohol addiction is critical. The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth states that 5,000 people who are under 21 die every year due to causes related to alcohol consumption, including suicide and homicide. Moreover, about 600,000 young people suffer health and mental consequences due to alcohol.

To prevent your teen from becoming a statistic, take immediate action after determining that your teen is abusing alcohol. Look for the following signs and symptoms of teen alcohol abuse:

Physical:

• Alcohol smell.
• Trouble with coordination.
• Constant intoxicated appearance.
• Unkempt look.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Poor personal hygiene.
• Tolerance to alcohol due to excessive drinking.

Behavioral:

• Academic decline.
• Concentration problems.
• Mood swings and rash actions.
• Different social circles.
• Self-esteem issues.
• Being secretive.
• Avoiding spending time with family.
• Isolation from everything to continue drinking.
• Increasing lying tendencies.
• Suicidal tendencies.

These signs and symptoms can intensify if alcohol is paired with other drugs. Also, look for co-occurring mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia, manic depression, and anxiety disorder. Use this as the proof you need to get your child help. Prevent these signs from turning into severe, long-term consequences.

How to: Get your teen the help for an alcohol problem

Having open communication with your teen is a good start to convince them to get help for their alcohol problem. Approach this matter as calmly and delicately as possible because doing otherwise may put your child on the defensive. They likely already know that they have made a mistake and may even be feeling hopeless. You have to be their anchor and guide them away from alcohol. If they realize that you understand their situation and will support them no matter what, their thoughts toward getting teen alcohol abuse treatment in Los Angeles will be favorable.

The Solution: Teen alcohol abuse treatment

Los Angeles is home to different teen alcohol abuse treatment. Some of the available programs include inpatient and outpatient programs that provide structured and comprehensive treatments. Teenagers admitted to these programs are monitored and cared for around the clock.

In support groups, your teen will share their experiences among others in the same situation as them. These groups can give your teen a new perspective that might help them turn their back on alcohol.

In family therapies, parents and family members are encouraged to participate. These sessions are a safe zone for both the struggling patient and their family to discuss matters that may have been disregarded before entering treatment.

However, you should prioritize a treatment program that is customized for your teen’s needs. A tailored program can induce a feeling of safety and comfort. Treatment programs should not be something to be feared but rather enjoyed.

At Teen Alcohol Rehab CA, we can provide your teen with the best possible alcohol abuse treatment program curated specifically for them. We help adolescents kick their drinking habits in a positive environment. Our psychologists will provide one on one sessions and help your child understand their issues. Contact us now, and together, we’ll make your teen’s life free of alcohol abuse.

California is famous for different festive events and parties, especially during summer. Since Los Angeles is the center of the entertainment industry, teens are highly exposed to substance use and alcohol drinking. The increasing cases of underage drinking in the United States are becoming a serious concern.

Teen alcohol abuse is one of the leading reasons for problems among teenagers and their families. Because of this, mental health professionals strive to provide the best possible solution without taking away the fun of teenage years. Numerous teen alcohol treatment programs are available in the state, making access to treatment easier than ever.

In this article, we’ll talk about the severity of alcohol on teens’ health and what specific steps parents and counselors should take.

Prevalence of Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers

To understand the current situation of alcohol use in teens, several organizations around the United States are constantly gathering statistics. In 2018, the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) surveyed adolescents and adults in the state who use substances and alcohol. Below is the summary of the results, particularly for the adolescents:

• Alcohol is the second most prevalent substance used by adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs). This makes alcohol use disorder the leading concern in the entire state.
• Over 9% of adolescents (ages 12-17) consume alcohol occasionally, while 5.1% reported binge alcohol use.
• For young adults (ages 18-25), more than 50% drank alcohol at least once in their lives, and more than 33% drank heavily once or twice every month.
• Alcohol is the most commonly consumed substance for 11th-graders (51.7%), followed by 9th-graders (32.3%) and 7th-graders (13.3%).
• Only 7.6% of 11th-graders have drunk alcohol once, while 33% reported drinking more than four times.
• In terms of ethnicity, white teens (19.2%) are most likely to report alcohol drinking, followed by Latin Americans (18.4%). Meanwhile, Asians in California are at the bottom of the list, at about 7%.
• 20.5% of white female teens reported binge drinking three months before pregnancy, and 15.7% drank alcohol during the first trimester.
• About 0.5% of deaths are caused by drinking in young adults, and males (17.5%) have a higher risk than females (6.4%).

Why Alcohol Abuse Statistics Increases

The continuous rise in cases of teen alcohol abuse has links to several economic and social problems in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, being one of the leading cities with alcoholic teens. These problems include violence, road accidents, participation in illegal activities, and school and work inefficiency.

There are various reasons why teens are most likely to develop alcohol dependence, such as the lack of awareness regarding the consequences of substance use. Not all schools in the United States openly discuss topics like substance use and alcohol addiction, and some do not include them in the high school curriculum at all. As such, teens rely on the Internet, which can be full of misinformation regarding the dangers of alcohol drinking, leading to misunderstandings.

In addition, the majority of alcohol-dependent individuals over 12 years old do not receive treatment. According to the 2018 data summary by CHCF, only 7% have access to treatments. Alcohol is considered a gateway drug, so untreated alcohol use disorders may develop into worse health risks and lead to the use of other substances such as marijuana.

Parent’s Role

Addiction has significant consequences for families; it affects connections, particularly between parents and children. Parental hostility and violence may arise by living with a drug-addicted teen. Furthermore, finding out that your child is a drug addict can be upsetting and stressful.

It also is difficult for teenagers who live in homes that do not prioritize their needs. As a result, it is essential to understand all the probable causes affecting the teen and not rely on a single remedy.

An adolescent who abuses alcohol requires parental support and encouragement. A family connection is essential for teens when transitioning to adulthood. As a parent, you must recognize that you will not always be there to guide your children’s life. They will begin to explore and try out new things as they mature.

The vital role that parents must play is to express unconditional love to improve the parent-child relationship. Your adolescent may be dealing with mental health issues due to poor life decisions, but you can help them understand that healing, while challenging, will be rewarding. As they begin their road to adulthood, they will appreciate your support and encouragement.

Teenagers, on average, have less self-control than grown-ups. They take more risks and are more likely to experiment with new stuff. Teens also have strong, overpowering emotions. Since they frequently try to “fit in” at any cost, they are particularly susceptible to peer pressure.

The primary purpose of alcohol misuse rehabilitation programs is to prevent underage drinking and addiction. There are numerous rehab facilities for teens in California, particularly in Los Angeles. However, not everyone knows what characterizes a good rehabilitation program for teens. Here is a quick guide for choosing the best teen alcohol rehab program.

How Can You Help A Struggling Teen?

Teen alcohol dependency and addiction have become a growing concern in Los Angeles. While most adults drink on special occasions, teens tend to make it a habit — a way to keep up with peers. 

Your teen may not be sharing their problems with you. An alcoholic behavior must not go ignored, or it might have fatal consequences. To help your teen overcome their struggles, the best way is to talk to them one-on-one. Let them share what’s on their mind so you can figure out the next step to take. If you see obvious signs of alcohol use, or if your teen outright admits it, you may want to consider looking for alcohol rehab centers as soon as possible.

Teens who struggle with alcohol dependency and addiction exhibit noticeable behavioral changes. Some of the symptoms include irritability, recklessness, and secretiveness. You may also notice problems like a sudden drop in school grades, loss of interest in spending time with peers, new friends, poor sleep quality, money problems, and continuous neglect of schoolwork and household activities.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Teen Alcohol Rehab Program

Although teens like to drink to socialize in clubs and parties, alcohol negatively impacts their systems. Parents should promptly look for alcohol rehab for teens to help their children avoid severe issues down the line. Below is a list of questions that you should ask rehab centers before choosing a treatment plan.

1. Is the facility registered and accredited?
2. Are the staff professionally trained to handle alcohol-dependent teens?
3. What are the facility’s goals?
4. What is a “successful rehab program” according to the facility?
5. What kind of treatments are available?
6. What is the duration of the programs?
7. How much does the program cost?
8. Does the company accept insurance?

Characteristics to Look for in an Alcohol Rehab Center

Alcohol rehab centers must prioritize the needs of their patients above all else. One factor you should look for is if they involve the family during the treatment process. Since teens need parental or familial support, it is best to find programs that let parents attend talk sessions. This is particularly important because some alcoholic teens admit that one of the root causes of their drinking behavior is a family issue.

Allowing parents to participate in the program can help teens achieve recovery and succeed in their healing journey. It also helps counselors and therapists understand what goes on in the patient’s household and what they can do about it.

What You Should Not Do When Choosing Alcohol Rehab for Teens

When looking for a teen alcohol rehab program, the most common mistake that parents make is choosing the first facility they encounter. Picking a rehab center is not a race. It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication to finding the best ones.

As mentioned, a good alcohol rehab program prioritizes the teen’s needs and not the company’s reputation or income. Hence, one thing you should consider is researching what programs they offer for your teen. Then, compare it with other programs from different treatment facilities. By doing this, you will be able to understand the pros and cons much better.
Although some parents might want to skip the hassle of asking around and reviewing centers, know that this may be a cause for concern during the teen’s rehab process. No one wants to go back to square one because the first treatment did not work as planned. Proper research is vital to ensure your teen’s full recovery.

Alcohol withdrawal can occur if your teen abruptly quits drinking or drastically lowers the amount of alcohol they consume. According to recent data, if someone with an alcohol addiction stops drinking suddenly, almost half of them will experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms generally affect 3 to 5% of teens in the United States.

Because of this, teens need to undergo treatment as soon as possible to avoid more severe complications. Teen alcohol rehab aims to provide treatment for teens in Los Angeles struggling with excessive alcohol consumption. Numerous facilities are available in the state that make treating substances and alcohol their top priority.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol has a delaying or depressive impact on the teenage brain. The brain of a frequent, long-term drinker is vulnerable to alcohol’s depressive influence. The mind alters its structure over time to adapt to this impact. It achieves this by producing more naturally stimulating neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine, than someone who does not drink too much alcohol.

When your teen quits or drastically reduces their alcohol consumption after weeks, months, or years of heavy drinking, they may experience mental and physical issues, known collectively as a withdrawal. This starts a few hours after the last consumption and can last up to five days. It is a combination of distressing and sometimes harmful sensations caused by the absence of alcohol’s influence on the brain.

Symptoms of Teen Alcohol Withdrawal

Adolescents who suffer alcohol withdrawal commonly have a habitual drug use problem known as alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a combination of symptoms that can develop after a duration of excessive drinking. The most common ones are anxiety, shakiness, shivering, nausea, increased heart rate, and fever. Convulsions, delusions, and delirium tremens (DTs) are some of the more severe symptoms of AWS.

According to some people who go through teen alcohol withdrawal, the process is much worse than the actual side effects. The withdrawal effects usually appear six hours after the last intake, then peak between 24 and 72 hours, and subside within at least seven days.

• Dizziness and nausea — Similar to the effects of alcohol during the first consumption, teens may feel nauseous. Also, some of them describe the feeling “as if the world is spinning too fast,” indicating that they are dizzy. They may vomit at least once or twice and feel an extreme headache in the morning. When experiencing alcohol withdrawal, this issue becomes worse. Usually, vomiting lasts the entire duration of withdrawal, and it may continuously occur for at least 12 hours. In some cases, teens may experience the same symptoms as migraines — extreme headaches, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sounds.

• Irritability and anger — Due to your teen’s current situation, they may feel discouraged to do anything, which may cause them to feel worthless and helpless. They cannot process their emotions well since the alcohol in their body acts up, making it extremely difficult to control their raging emotions.

• Inattentiveness — Just like with other substances, like marijuana and cocaine, teens lose their focus when under the influence of alcohol. This sometimes gets worse during the withdrawal stage.

• Poor sleep quality — During alcohol withdrawal, your teen may struggle to sleep. Their frequent vomiting, dizziness, and extreme headaches may force them to stay up all night.

• Lack of appetite and sudden weight loss — Teens who suddenly quit drinking may lose their appetite, making them drop weight. Although they might want to eat, their body says otherwise and throws everything up. This happens because they crave alcohol but no longer have access to it. However, skipping meals may also be a rebellious act by someone being forced to stop drinking. 

• Restlessness — Alcohol withdrawals also cause teens to feel uneasy. They may ask to increase the room’s thermostat, then sweat excessively. But when you slightly lower it, they might feel chills and shivers.

Easing the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

When it comes to managing substance use disorders (SUDs), adolescents typically go through two stages. Detox and treatments take different approaches; detox focuses on your child’s physical withdrawal symptoms, while therapy sessions focus on their behavioral and cognitive functioning.

Medications can aid with withdrawal symptoms during detox. Detox is typically not considered a treatment in itself but rather a first step in the recovery process. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the NSS-2 Bridge, an electronic stimulation device. It is placed behind the ear, and it helps alleviate substance withdrawal symptoms by stimulating the brain nerves responsible for drug ingestion.

In addition, the FDA has approved the use of the drug Lofexidine for the same reason. Outpatient programs, in which your child is allowed to go home following their treatment schedules with their doctor, are another option to solve teen alcohol withdrawals issues.

If you are looking for teen alcohol rehab facilities in Los Angeles, you came to the right place. Your teen will be in good hands with us. Not only do our rehab facilities aim to stop the alcoholic behavior, but they also focus on the overall improvement of their health.