Alcohol Archives - GirlSpring

How Do Teens Develop Alcohol Addictions In The First Place?

Girl Spring — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:50:22 +0000

When people think of alcohol addiction, they usually picture adults that are living on the streets because of their drinking problem. Young women don’t think of themselves as being at risk of addiction. Many young people think that they’re just ‘having a good time’ or ‘experimenting’ so their alcohol use isn’t problematic.

Image Source – Pixabay CCO License

But the truth is, alcohol addiction can affect anybody and young women need to know what the risk factors are so they can avoid falling into the same trap. Did you know that teen girls are actually more vulnerable to substance abuse? That means that you need to be extra cautious about how you deal with alcohol. Understanding how it develops in the first place is crucial. So, why do teenagers develop alcohol addictions?

Peer Pressure

This is the number one reason why some teens fall into addiction. They want to fit in and they’re willing to do anything it takes to be accepted. The problem with this reasoning is that you don’t always end up with true friends when you give in to peer pressure, and then your self-esteem falls apart because of that. You also become more likely to put yourself in dangerous situations (driving drunk, for instance). If you surround yourself with people who only care about partying and getting wasted, alcohol use is bound to progress eventually. People don’t feel like they can say no, so they continue drinking more and more until they develop a severe addiction.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a very common problem for teens and people often use alcohol to reduce that anxiety. People often think that drinking will make them less inhibited and allow them to spend time comfortably in a social setting. While this is true for some people at first, the reality is that it does much more harm than good in the long term because alcoholism changes how your brain works. This can lead to panic attacks and other problems down the line. Eventually, they will become reliant on alcohol to engage with people and they will need to go to an intensive outpatient program (IOP) to manage their addiction. If you struggle with social anxiety, you need to find other healthy coping mechanisms to help you manage your emotions in difficult situations.

Dealing With Difficult Life Events

Life is often difficult when you’re a teenager, especially if you’re living with family problems. Some teens find alcohol to be an escape from their everyday lives and they honestly think that drinking will make them happier. This isn’t always the case though because once your addiction takes hold, it can cause depression and mood swings instead of happiness. If you’re looking for a way to deal with life’s challenges, reach out for help before alcohol becomes a problem in your life. When you are facing challenges, talk to friends and family members about them. You will feel so much better and you won’t experience the negative effects of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol addiction is a serious problem for young people and it’s vital that you understand how it happens in the first place so you can avoid falling into the same trap.

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Why Teen Girls May be More Vulnerable to Substance Abuse

Girl Spring — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:37:24 +0000

Traditional views on gender roles and norms may seem to suggest that, because boys tend to be viewed as more aggressive and outgoing that girls, by comparison, are less likely to have substance use problems. However, evidence provided by research seems to show otherwise.

Generally speaking, males of all ages are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. However, the risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD; a term that describes both substance addiction and abuse) is statistically similar. What’s more, females, including adolescents who do develop an SUD are more likely to have continued cravings and have higher relapse risks.

A notable study released by The Partnership (formerly the Partnership for a Drug-Free America) in 2009 found that, among their sample of teenagers, girls had a slightly higher risk of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol than boys. Additionally, in the study, girls were found susceptible to peer pressure to use drugs. Among the teen girls with substance use issues, they were also found to be more likely to have co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

The 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) may be over a decade old, but the data seems to confirm current experiences of rehabilitation centers in Dallas that focus on underage drug and alcohol misuse. Other research, such as the annual surveys conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also seem to indicate that there is no real difference in the risks of teen girls and boys when it comes to substance misuse. In fact, teen girls have a few risks that make them more vulnerable should they develop an SUD.

Teen girls are slightly more likely to binge drink

While boys tend to take more drugs at all ages, in the US, there is a curious pattern where girls aged 12-20 were much more likely to binge drink alcohol than boys of the same age cohort. They are also more likely to have had alcohol in the previous month. This trend has held true in the latest SAMHSA survey using pre-COVID data.

This was a fairly recent development, having occurred only in the 21st century represents a reversal of a long-term trend of teen boys being more likely to engage in this behavior.

Underage drinking is especially problematic behavior, as teens’ brains are still in the process of development. Regular drinking can impair brain development at this stage, effectively stunting the brain. Short-term memory, cognition, and motor skills can be permanently impaired if a teen drinks large amounts of alcohol regularly. SUDs developed at this early stage also tend to be more difficult to treat compared to those developed later in life.

Teen girls more likely to believe drug “benefits”

While the SUD risks of both boys and girls are statistically identical, girls differ in that they are more likely to believe that drug use can help with problems at home.

According to the PATS study, they are much more likely than boys to do things like share and consume anti-anxiety medication, alcohol, and other drugs with the belief that is is a positive coping behavior. In some circumstances, this may make it more difficult for the individual to seek help for an SUD.

Peer pressure may affect girls differently

While the 2009 PATS study did say that teen girls were more vulnerable to peer pressure when it came to drug and alcohol use, the subject of gender differences and peer pressure is still hotly contested.

One reason for this is because the culture and the context in which peer pressure takes place are highly important. For example, some studies show that it’s stereotypically masculine attitudes, not gender that decide how likely teens will do risky behaviors.

In cases where female teens are culturally inclined to value masculine behavior, then they may have similar or greater chances of giving in to certain types of peer pressure, such as those related to drug and alcohol use. This is supported by some studies that show adolescent females are more likely to drink or use drugs if they thought it would help them be closer to boys.

Girls are more likely to have a dual diagnosis

A “dual diagnosis” is a term often used in addiction treatment to describe a situation where an individual has another mental health issue in addition to their substance use disorder.

Trauma, depression, and anxiety are particularly common among people with SUD, and these issues are all more likely to occur among teen girls with SUD than boys with SUD of the same age.

This follows general patterns where females are more likely to report and get help for mental illness than males of the same age. Women are 10 times more likely to experience severe depression and are about twice as likely to have anxiety, both of which are predictors for substance abuse.

In practical terms, this means that if your teen does develop an SUD, chances are they may have a co-occurring condition that makes it more difficult for them to recover.

What you can do

While society has progressed in many ways, it’s still difficult to be a teenager — even more so when you’re a girl. The high incidences of mental health and substance misuse issues that beset American adolescent girls seem to bear witness to that. Though the data seems to suggest that the risks they face are not wildly different from that of boys, they also face some very specific issues that may make it more difficult for them to get treatment.

In any case, it would be a good idea to periodically check in with how your teen is doing, regardless of their gender. Seeing a qualified counselor or mental health expert to help you and your teen resolve any serious issues may not be such a bad idea either.

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6 Tips for Managing an Interventions for a Loved One

Girl Spring — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:58:53 +0000

If you are close to someone who has a drug or alcohol problem, chances are that you want to help them get better. Because people with these problems are often in denial, early, well-managed interventions can be critical in ensuring they get the care they need before their condition gets any worse.

If you’re considering holding an intervention for someone close to you, make sure to look through the time-tested tips below. If you or your loved one are in the New England area, check out this directory of Boston rehab centers.

1.) Don’t wait for rock bottom

One of the most harmful and persistent substance recovery myths is that you have to wait for someone to hit “rock bottom”, that is, a particularly low point in their life brought about by substance misuse, before you urge them to seek treatment.

While this was the thinking many decades ago, it’s now understood that waiting for an individual to hit rock bottom usually only makes their illness progressively more difficult to treat.

Today, it’s recommended that individuals who meet the criteria for SUD get immediate treatment and rehabilitation. In most cases, early treatment often means a shorter, less difficult, and less expensive recovery period. Waiting for your loved one to hit rock bottom will only give their illness more time to damage their mind and body.

2.) Give yourself time to prepare

While it’s important to get immediate help for your loved one, you also need to take time to breathe and consider your own emotional and mental state. You will also be in a worse position to help them if you act impulsively and don’t take some time to look at all your options.

An intervention is a matter that has to be done delicately, not just for the sake of your loved one’s mental and physical health, but for the good of your future relationship as well. Take a day to plan out your next moves and make sure to include other key family members as well.

3.) Get expert advice before you confront your loved one

You may want to talk to a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, priest, rabbi, or any other qualified person before you confront your loved one about their drug or alcohol use. Chances are they could provide you with solid advice on how to move forward. They may also be able to provide you with necessary counseling to help you work through the trauma of your loved one’s illness.

4.) Consider hiring an intervention professional

Seeing a loved one change for the worse from the effects of drugs or alcohol can be traumatizing. People with very close ties to individuals with SUD often find it difficult, if not impossible to remain objective during an intervention. Emotions can easily get out of hand, especially if the loved one is being defensive or in denial about their drug use.

To add to this, the individual with the SUD may not be able to think clearly or practice empathy in the way a person who functions normally could. They may also become manipulative or make concessions to temporarily placate others so that their drug use can continue.

For these reasons, it’s often best to get in touch with an intervention expert to help you confront your loved one with their drug use. Not only will they be able to bring their experience and training in handling these situations, but they will also typically be able to prepare you and other family members to assist in your loved one’s initial recovery process.

5.) Don’t include potentially antagonistic family members

There is still a lot of ignorance surrounding substance use disorder. As far as many people are still concerned, giving in to drugs and alcohol is nothing more than a moral failing and a source of shame. Your loved one is also probably aware of who in their family has these viewpoints.

It’s best to keep these family members away from the planning and intervention process, even if, in their mind, they are looking out for the affected individual. Interventions are far more effective when the person with the illness is fully aware that the people confronting him are doing it out of love, and not out of a desire to see them put in their place.

6.) Avoid giving in to strong emotions

This can be incredibly difficult to do, especially if the person with the SUD is a spouse, a child, or a parent. You will likely have very strong feelings for the person, one way or another, which can lead you to say or do things that may not be in everyone’s best interest.

Regardless, it’s important to at least try to remain calm throughout the intervention. If your feelings are starting to overwhelm you, there’s no shame in just walking away and giving things another try soon.

Summary

Interventions should be done early and with all the finesse the individual’s family can muster. By taking the time to plan and stage an intervention properly, you can avoid unneeded antagonism and are far more likely to succeed in convincing your loved one to voluntarily seek treatment.

In any case, interventions can be very challenging, given that many people with substance issues are not going to be receptive to treatment. To better improve the odds of the individual agreeing to treatment, the advice of qualified counselors, therapists, and intervention specialists may be useful.

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Guest Post: A Drunk Driver Changed My Life…

Girl Spring — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 17:08:11 +0000

Host of ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama

This is why I became a journalist.

In 1981, a drunk driver came crashing through my home in the middle of the night, hitting my baby bed head on. I was sent airborne across the room and found in a bloody mangled mess, stuck between the cars fender and my closet door. I was 4 years old. The driver was 19 years old, drunk and on drugs. He was speeding- two times the legal limit- when he came flying into my bedroom.

I suffered 2 broken legs, a shattered growth plate, busted knee cap and internal injuries, just to name a few. The next 15 plus years I was in and out of Cleveland Rainbow and Babies Hospital, undergoing dozens of leg operations and endless hours in physical therapy. In this picture my mom is helping me rehab after the first of two leg lengthening operations I would endure.

The drunk driver paid a $400 fine and walked free. My family got nothing. He was from a powerful family and all the evidence was “lost” when it finally went to court. You can draw your own conclusions as to what really happened and I bet you would be right. He never apologized. My parents were young, naive and just too busy helping me, to fight the system. Keep in mind, DUI laws were not nearly as strict back then, as they are now. And the closest TV station was Cleveland – 1.5 hours away… So only the local newspaper in my rural Ohio hometown even covered the accident. Doctors wanted to amputate my left leg, but a Navy trained doctor stepped in and took a gamble on me. He saved my leg. He had worked with soldiers in WW2, so he was familiar with extensive knee and leg reconstruction. I would wear huge lift shoes in between surgeries to keep my hips even. My mom would have to cut all of my new school clothes each year so the multiple metal bars and brackets that were screwed into my bones could exit out of my pant legs. I would go to school on crutches and in wheel chairs, depending on what operation just took place. I would scream and cry through thousands of hours of physical therapy – learning how to walk again, after every grueling operation.

My last surgery, I was a senior in college. So yes, I knew my entire life I wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to be that watchdog to help moms and dads like my own. To help families let down and screwed over by the system. To be the voice of the weak. The injured. The young and naive. I wanted to say that I spent my life fighting for people who didn’t know how to even begin the fight. For nearly a decade I was a hard news reporter for NBC6 in Charlotte, NC and for FOX5 in Atlanta, GA doing just that. Throughout those years, I broke thousands of local and regional stories. A few of them went national and international, including a Georgia Tech student planning a terrorist attack on Washington, DC …followed by the most egregious police corruption case in Georgia’s history when an elderly lady named Kathryn Johnston was murdered in her own home. I slept well all those years – partly because I was working 16 hour days, but mostly because I knew I was doing what God intended for my life. I was helping families devastated by tragedy and injustice.

I eventually got married in my 30’s and moved to Birmingham where my husband’s business is located. For the past 9 years I have anchored a morning lifestyle program on ABC33/40. And although I am not on “the front lines” as often, I am blessed to still be able to help local community members by promoting their businesses, organizations and charities, which in turn creates growth and spreads awareness.

Of course, I still go out and report every week. I now focus on in-depth pieces. In fact, my series, “Gay In The Deep South” took home the AP’s Best Reporter Award. From interracial marriages to the struggles of single parent homes, I choose stories that need to be told. Stories that deserve to be told. And in the process, I am humbled to make dear friends along the way.

So here is am, 39 years old, and coming up on nearly 2 decades in this business. My profession has blessed me in many ways, including the opportunity to speak to young drivers across our state. You may have never stood over a lifeless body … but I have. You may have never seen a body ripped to shreds, so much so, that teeth impressions are required to make a positive identification … but I have. You may have never waited with a family in a morgue to collect the personal belongings of a teenager … but I have. You may have never rolled up on an accident scene, where even the police officers are crying because a young driver’s leg or head is laying on the side of the road … but I have. I tell you all of this, not to gross you out, but to remind you that waking up tomorrow is not a guarantee. Do you know the hardest part of journalism? Covering the funerals of young men and women senselessly killed, much too young. Our youth killed by drunk drivers, or dead as a result of driving under the influence. I look into the eyes of their mothers and fathers, over flowing with tears and we stand silent. All knowing their child’s death could have been prevented. The parents blame themselves. Full of sadness and rage, I hear them say things like, “Why didn’t he call me for a ride?” Others say, “We should have done a better job telling her about the dangers of drinking and driving.”

These parents bury their sweet babies, and are left standing in the procession line instead of the graduation line. You see, if you kill yourself or someone else because you drink and drive, you are also killing your parents. They have such big dreams for you. They want you to live a long and healthy life. They want you to be happy. They want to watch you get that first job or take that first trip overseas. You’re parents want to hear your laugh more than anything in the world. And even if you are lucky enough to survive an accident related to drinking and driving, how could you ever live with the guilt of killing or paralyzing someone else? Someone else’s child, best friend, or baby? You have so much life to still live! Don’t spend that precious time behind bars, locked up and forever with a criminal record that will follow you.

I started telling my story more as I got older and more experienced in this business because I realized some young viewers would see me on TV and assume I have had a serendipitous and charmed life. They assume it’s all come easy to me. Little do they know I have scars from toe to hip. That when it rains, I limp. That when I’m older, I’ll most likely have to have a knee replacement. I’ll deal with arthritis. When summer comes, I have to force myself to put on a swimsuit, and ignore the curious looks I get when people realize one knee cap is larger and lower than the other. I constantly have to explain to my kids why mommy is not supposed to run long distances with them. I watched the championship basketball game earlier this summer and when Lebron James said to the reporter, that nothing comes easy in N.E. Ohio, that you’ve got to work for it, I looked straight at the TV and said “Amen!” My heart knew exactly what he was talking about. My father worked for 36 years in a factory, paying off my medical bills. I worked through college, while earning my journalism degree from Kent State. My mother worked full time to contribute to those medical bills and my sweet older brother spent too many days visiting me in the hospital… All of this because one man decided to drink then drive. Do not make a story like this, your story. Do not make a mistake, your legacy. Do not waste away God’s blessings on a few hours of fun. It’s easy to make the right choice, but the wrong choice can haunt you until the end of time. Please remember, no drink is worth ruining your life or another person’s life. If you indulge, call über or a taxi…you’re mom or your friend. And to the bigger picture, if your battling an addiction in silence, please seek help- seeking help makes you strong, not weak.

I share this story because I want to remind all of you that dreams do come true, if you just keep pushing through. Maybe you’re dealing with bullying at school or you just broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend. Maybe you’re having issues at home or got rejected from a job you really wanted. Maybe this phase of your life feels overwhelming and you feel like nothing every works out like you want it to. Whatever the case, know that you are loved.

That we are also a family to each other. Us Alabamians. Us humans. Hard times always pass. Doctors said I would never walk, let alone have children. Yet I hike, dance and walk just fine with no pain. Most importantly, God blessed me with 3 beautiful children that I carried full term- now 6, 4 and 8 months old. My husband could care less about my scars. That’s the funny thing about life- it will always work out, even when times seem dark. You can achieve anything you set your mind to- that college scholarship, that dream job, that prom date- know that you are worthy and you are good enough. Know that you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.

I could of let that accident take control of my life, instead I used it to find purpose in my life. We all have a story- don’t be afraid to embrace yours. Surround yourself with positive people that believe in your goodness. I always tell my kids to wake up each morning and choose happiness. And at the end of a rough day, or even rough year, look back on how far you’ve come… How far we’ve all come and how much more good we can serve up to this world.

God bless all of you young men and women! – Nicole

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Underage Drinking: The Myths & The Facts

Girl Spring — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 20:46:14 +0000

You probably see and hear a lot about alcohol—from TV, movies, music, and your friends. But what are the real facts about underage alcohol use?

Here are some common myths—and sobering facts—about alcohol use:

Myth: Alcohol isn’t as harmful as other drugs

Fact: Alcohol increases your risk for many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.

Myth: Drinking is a good way to loosen up at parties

Fact: Drinking is a dumb way to loosen up. It can make you act silly, say things you shouldn’t say, and do things you wouldn’t normally do (like get into fights or have sex).

Myth: Drinking alcohol will make me cool.

Fact: There’s nothing cool about stumbling around, passing out, or puking on yourself. Drinking alcohol also can cause bad breath and weight gain.

Myth: All of the other kids drink alcohol. I need to drink to fit in.

Fact: If you really want to fit in, stay sober. Most young people don’t drink alcohol. Research shows that more than 70 percent of youth aged 12 to 20 haven’t had a drink in the past month.

Myth: I can sober up quickly by taking a cold shower or drinking coffee.

Fact: On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process, including drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or “walking it off.”

Myth: Adults drink, so kids should be able to drink too.

Fact: A young person’s brain and body are still growing. Drinking alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult alcoholism. People who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to abuse or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 21

Myth: Beer and Wine are safer than liquor.

Fact: Alcohol is alcohol … it can cause you problems no matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. Alcopops—sweet drinks laced with malt liquor—often contain more alcohol than beer!

Myth: I can drink alcohol and not have any problems.

Fact: If you’re under 21, drinking alcohol is a big problem: It’s illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school, and are at higher risk for being a crime victim.

Do you think you or a friend has an alcohol problem?

Don’t wait—get help. Talk to a parent, doctor, teacher, or anyone you trust.

For information and referrals, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 800–662–HELP (4357) (in English and en español).

An online substance abuse treatment locator is available here

A local substance abuse treatment locator is available here

Also, check out the federal portal of underage drinking prevention resources at:

Stop Alcohol Abuse
Too Smart to Start

From: Too Smart To Start

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