Alcoholism can be a difficult problem to deal with, and teenage alcoholism is no different. The drinking habit is most often picked up in the teens, and there are many reasons behind teenage alcoholism. Alcohol is the most commonly used intoxicant by teens in the United States. Almost half of all junior high and senior high school students drink alcohol at least once a month, and 14 percent of American teens have been intoxicated at least once in the past year. Almost 8% of teens say they drink at least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row (binge drinking).
Sometimes, it may just be about having fun with friends, but it may also point to a deeper problem that affects your teen. If you suspect your teen has a drinking problem, it’s important that you help him or her out of it.
Alcoholism in teenagers can have some serious implications. The repeated use of alcohol decreases a teen’s ability to pay attention, thus affecting grades in school. Also, drinking can have serious implications for the future, as teenage alcoholics are more likely to have alcohol related problems in later life.
A serious effect of teenage drinking is that it often leads to errors of judgement can cause accidents or death. Almost 2000 people a year, under 21, die in car accidents where drinking plays a part. Alcohol also plays a part in almost half of all violent deaths with teens.
Alcohol increases the chances of teens engaging in sexual activity, especially unprotected sex, or sex with strangers. This carries a serious risk of HIV or pregnancy. Alcohol also increases emotional problems like anxiety or depression, raising chances of suicide.
The first step to treatment is that the alcoholic must decide to stop drinking. The teen must then be weaned off alcohol slowly, and with a lot of love and understanding. The best way to do this is to rebuild the body’s nutritional integrity to stop a craving for stimulants like drinks. The patient should be given a glass of orange juice or vegetable juice every two hours. The bowels should be kept clean by the self-cleaning process or through a warm water enema. If there is a craving for alcohol, a sweet substitute, like fresh juice, sweetened with honey should be given.
Other home remedies include a juice fast which can be undertaken for 10 days. During this time, the patient will usually not feel any craving for alcohol. Not only will this break the habit, but will also strengthen the body’s physiology. After the juice fast, a diet consisting of whole grains, cereal, nuts, sprouts, fresh vegetables and fruits should be given.
Refined food like sugar, white foods like rice and pasta and meat should be avoided. Strong flavours like spices and condiments, pepper, chilli and mustard should be avoided. The patient must exercise regularly, as this will help him get healthier and also get in touch with his body’s needs and feelings. Apples are helpful in the fight against alcohol as they reduce the craving for alcohol and intoxicants.