Thursday, July 29, 2010

Teenage alcoholism. How can you convince a teenager who just started drinking to give up this dangerous habit?

Drinking isn't necessarily a dangerous thing to do. If it does become habitual and addictive, then it can be dangerous. If you think that you are going to convince a teenager to never drink, you will most likely end up with a teenager who drinks behind your back. It would be more realistic to teach him or her about the *potential* dangers, and how to drink responsibly. And prior to dismissing me as someone who blindly supports what you call a ';dangerous habit';, consider that I haven't had a drink in 18 years.





PS. Why have you just asked this question four times in a row? Are you truly seeking advice for a teen, or are you trying to pass your beliefs onto the good people reading your questions?Teenage alcoholism. How can you convince a teenager who just started drinking to give up this dangerous habit?
Tell him of all the bad things that can happen to him. Disease, car accidents, losing your drivers licence, change in your mind....stuff like that.Teenage alcoholism. How can you convince a teenager who just started drinking to give up this dangerous habit?
Take them to the city morgue to see bodies of DUI victims. For some people it is an allergic reaction to a physical addiction that is the problem. If someone gets to the point that the NEED a drink to maintain, they better get to an AA meeting or treatment. The only things anyone needs is the basics....food, clothing, shelter. With those necessities, you can get a job, car, life. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!
get an opera show tape on when they were discussing about addiction, including alcohol. That show got a surgeon ripping off actual human body parts, he/she'll see what's the inside of a dead alcholic's brain.
Difficult. He is constantly influenced by his family, social background, cultural upbringing, etc. It could be easier if his peers or anyone he respects dispise alcoholism.
Some people say that you should force them to drink excessive amounts of alcohol so that they get really sick and don't touch the stuff again. I think that a good tour of the hotspots where the drunks hang out and sleep rough may work, or else tough love and hope that they grow out of it. There is no magic answer to this question.
the tougher you are the more they will rebel just bare that in mind
get him really drunk play some jimmy hendrix and tell him how he died
This teen has ';just started'; and you are already using terms like 'dangerous habit' and 'alcoholism' ... sounds like you are over-reacting just a wee bit?





Let's forget that your darling teen is involved and just look at drinking in general. Moderate, responsible alcohol use is not alcoholism, nor is it particularly dangerous. The vast majority of people who use alcohol do so moderately and responsibly. So calm down, this is ';youthful experimentation'; and not ';a dangerous habit';.





Since your question asks how to convince, you are obviously wise enough to know that you can't compel ... try that, and he/she will just be more secretive.





Why not help your teen learn to use alcohol responsibly, under your supervision? My own parents warned me about hangovers, and then let me drink ';all I wanted'; at a cook-out. That was the last time I ';binged'; and it was over 30 years ago. I still remember how sick I was!





Offer the privilige of enjoying a few drinks at home with family now and then in return for promises to NEVER get ride with a driver who has been drinking, to NEVER drink more than one drink away from home, to NEVER share alcolhol with minors, and so on.





In my own experience, most (not all, nothing is fool proof) teens are so proud and pleased about openly walking around the house with a beer in hand, that they DO practice responsibility with alcohol so as to NOT risk losing this privilige.





If we want our children to ';be responsible'; then we must give them lots of opportunities to make choices between responsible and irresponsible behavior. Keep in mind that it is the nature of young people to sometimes ';mess up'; and this is part of the learning process. You give them a few months to grow up a little more, and then you try again.
Studies have shown that alcohol actually destroys brain function in children/ teens. They do worse in school because their memory is destroyed. Dump all the alcohol in the house down the drain. Dont let this teen go out anymore or hang out with their alcohol using friends. Take charge of your child's life.
I have seen a lot of teens through out my years on earth and not one of them has been convinced to quit drinking, they, for some reason, think they are invincable.
take them to an aa meeting then take to a jail and explain mip laws and jail follows then take to cemetary and ask how many here were drunk drivers


maybe it will work
To make a long story short...I strongly recommend two books.


1. Adolescent Drug %26amp; Alcohol Abuse - How to Spot It, Stop It,


and Get Help for Your Family by Nikki Babbit


2. Getting Tough on Gateway Drugs


Both books are fabulous and easy to read and understand. I work with parents of chemically dependant teens and I delt with this problem within my own children.


Talk to your doctor. Get an assesment and if counselling is recommended, do yourself and your teen a favor and make sure the counselor is certified to work with this problem. Do your homework before making an apt. to make sure they are reputable.


You can't do this allone. You will talk till you a blue in the face and your relationship with your child will be ';on the rocks'; as well as his drink. Families Annonomous is also a great support system and you can find them on the web at www. familiesannonomous.org


Good luck and God Bless.
Tke them with you to a homeless shelter and show them the affects of both drinking, drugs and gambling. It will turn them away from it all for a time but you cant save them forever, explain your fears, tell them what your feelings and experiences are (both good and bad) and then let them decide for themselves, if they are intelligent they will make the right choice.
ask him to go for an x-ray with the colour thingie...just one sip can make the liver dark in certain places.(saw something similar on oprah)
u can tell them that its not right

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