Teen Alcohol Treatment
Recently, Wisconsin made headlines when it was reported that the state is home to more teen binge drinking episodes than anywhere else in the country. With over 300,000 underage drinkers, Wisconsin has a teen alcohol epidemic on their hands. Consider the following statistics from a recent survey of Wisconsin high school students:
- 24% said they had their first experience with alcohol before the age of 13
- 50% said they had a drink within the past thirty (30) days
- 31% said they had five or more drinking in a row in the past thirty (30) days
- 4% said they had consumed alcohol on school property in the past thirty (30) days
While the statistics about Wisconsin are shocking, the fact is that everywhere in the United States has seen a surge in teenage alcohol addiction issues in recent years. And with teenage alcohol abuse on the rise, the need for quality teen alcohol treatment programs has risen as well.
How to Know if You're Teenager has a Drinking Problem
Parents need to be vigilant and proactive when it comes to their teenager's drinking. First and foremost, every parent must remember that the best time to talk to their kids about alcohol is before they start drinking. By explaining the dangers of alcohol to a child, you are instilling good values and decision-making principles in them from a young age.
If parents suspect that their child is already drinking, they must understand the warning signs, so that they can take the appropriate action. These signs and symptoms include:
- Declining grades or poor attendance at school
- Secrecy about social behavior or social activities
- Heavy use of breath mints to cover up alcohol smell
- Trouble with law enforcement, including driving while intoxicated
What to do if Your Teenagers has a Alcohol Problem
The first and most important step towards getting your teenager help with their drinking problem is communication. If you have witnessed the signs and symptoms listed above, then it is important to have a serious talk with your teenager about the dangers of alcohol consumption. During these conversations, it is important to be non-confrontational, or talk to your teen in such a way that will push them further into substance abuse and potentially, issues with drug addiction.
If your teenager's drinking continues, and reaches more serious levels, then it is recommended that you hold an intervention. Interventions are held by family and friends who gather together and explain to the young person how their drinking is affecting others and endangering their future.
What Happens During Teen Alcohol Treatment?
Teen alcohol treatment is comprised of three basic components: alcohol detox, counseling and after care. During detox, the teen stop drinking completely. When detox is over, they have taken the first step in their recovery by overcoming the physical addiction alcohol. Individual and group counseling are next. During counseling the teenager is given an opportunity to talk openly about their drinking problem – and even gain support from other teenagers in the program who are going through many of the same issues. Finally, aftercare helps the teenager take what they have learned in alcohol rehab and put it to use in the outside world. This is achieved through follow-up counseling and 12-step support groups that help keep the individual on track and making good decisions.
Michael's House offers teen alcohol treatment for their young patients at their residential facility in Palm Springs, California. The counseling staff at Michael's House understands how the teenage mind works and how to treat the issues that lead to teen substance abuse. Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
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