Kids and Alcohol

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Kids and Alcohol

• Information and Prevention

February 2009
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Training Objectives

• Recognize the dangers associated with children
  and adolescents drinking alcohol.
• Identify the short term and long term effects of
  drinking alcohol.
• Recognize why children and teens drink alcohol.

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• Define binge drinking and alcohol poisoning.
• Identify the signs of someone who may be abusing
  alcohol.
• Identify some things parents can do to prevent
  underage drinking.

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Kids and Alcohol A Serious Problem

• The number one drug of choice for children and
  adolescents is alcohol.
• Children who drink alcohol before the age of 15,
  are five times more likely to have alcohol
  problems than those that start drinking after age
  21.
• (U.S. Department of Health and Human
  Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
  Services Administration - SAMHSA)

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• Adults, age 21 or older, who had first used
  alcohol before age 21, were more likely to be
  classified with alcohol dependence, than adults
  who had their first drink at age 21 (9.6 vs.
  2.1).
• 2.6 million young people do not know that a
  person can die of an overdose of alcohol.
  (SAMHSA)
• Twenty-eight percent (28) of 15- to 20-year-old
  drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes
  in 2005, had been drinking.
• (National Highway Traffic Safety
  Administration)

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• A study has shown that students diagnosed with
  alcohol abuse were four times more likely to
  experience major depression than those without an
  alcohol problem.
• (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
  Alcoholism - NIAAA)
• In 2005, about 10.8 million people ages 12-20
  (28.2 of this age group) reported drinking
  alcohol in the past month. Nearly 7.2 million
  (18.8) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million
  (6.0) were heavy drinkers.
• (SAMHSA)

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Facts About Alcohol

• When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed by the
  stomach, enters the bloodstream and travels to
  all tissues.
• The effects of alcohol depend on a variety of
  factors. A persons weight, sex, age and size
  are all factors affecting alcohol consumption.

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• According to Kids Health, alcohol is a
  depressant. This means it slows the function of
  the central nervous system.
• Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages
  trying to get to the brain. This alters a
  person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision
  and hearing.
• In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person
  feel more relaxed or less anxious. The more
  alcohol a person drinks, the greater changes in
  the brain, resulting in intoxication.

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Effects of Alcohol

• According to the NIAAA, the following are
  short-term effects of alcohol
• Alcohol can make people lose their inhibitions.
  It is a main reason why many people drink
  alcohol.
• Moderate alcohol consumption can also lead to
  dizziness and talkativeness.

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• Immediate effects of a large amount of alcohol
  include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea
  and vomiting.
• Even low to moderate amounts of alcohol
  consumption can lead to a significant impairment
  to the judgment and coordination it takes to
  drive a vehicle.

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• Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also
  increase the incidence of violent acts, including
  domestic violence and child abuse.
• Hangovers are another result of alcohol,
  resulting in a headache, thirst, nausea and
  fatigue.

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• According to NIAAA, the following are long-term
  effects of prolonged use of alcohol
• Prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can lead to
  addiction.
• If someone suddenly stops drinking after alcohol
  has been consumed on a long-term basis, this is
  likely to produce withdrawal symptoms. These
  include hallucinations, convulsions, tremors and
  anxiety.

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• Long term effects of consuming large amounts of
  alcohol, especially combined with poor nutrition,
  can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such
  as the liver and brain.
• Mothers who drink alcohol while pregnant, may
  give birth to infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  (FAS).

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Why Do Kids Drink?

• Experimentation with alcohol during the teen
  years is common.
• Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other
  drugs are curiosity, to feel good, to reduce
  stress and relax, to fit in and to feel older.
• Alcohol may seem harmless to many teens. This may
  be due to the advertising messages theyve
  watched. Many teens have also seen their parents
  and other adults drink socially or have a beer or
  wine with dinner.
• (Kids Health)

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Childhood Drinking

• According to SAMHSA, alcohol has a negative
  impact on health. It can damage every organ in a
  persons body. This includes a childs
  developing brain. Alcohol impacts coordination,
  impulse control, memory and judgment.
• Alcohol use in childhood is also correlated with
  violence, risky sexual behavior, poor academic
  performance, alcohol-related driving incidents
  and other harmful behaviors. Alcohol use is also
  linked with youth deaths by drowning, suicide and
  homicide.

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What is Binge Drinking?

• According to WebMD, at some teen parties, the
  emphasis is on drinking to get drunk.
• Binge drinking happens when someone drinks more
  than four (for women) or five (for men) alcoholic
  drinks in about two hours. Binge drinking is the
  most harmful type of drinking.
• Binge drinking can result in alcohol poisoning.

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Alcohol Poisoning

• According to Kids Health, alcohol poisoning can
  occur when large amounts of alcohol are consumed
  in a short period of time.
• Alcohol poisoning is the body becoming poisoned
  by large amounts of alcohol.
• Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of
  alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness,
  unconsciousness, difficulty breathing,
  dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and even
  death may result.

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Signs of Alcohol Use

• According to the Partnership for a Drug Free
  America, there are signs parents can look for, if
  they think their child is abusing alcohol
• Slurred speech or difficulty expressing a thought
  intelligibly
• Lack of coordination, poor balance
• Can not walk a straight line

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• Can not focus on another persons eyes
• Red eyes or flushed face
• Morning headaches, nausea, weakness or sweatiness
• Odor of alcohol on breath or in sweat

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Signs Someone Is Using Drugs or Alcohol

• The Partnership for a Drug Free America lists
  the following signs that someone who is using
  drugs or alcohol may show.

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• Physical Signs
• Sudden or dramatic weight loss
• Slurred or agitated speech
• Bloodshot eyes
• Sick more frequently
• Has accidents or injuries
• Neglected appearance / poor hygiene

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• Behavioral Signs
• Emotional instability
• Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or
  work
• Missing school or work
• Complaints from teachers or co-workers
• Reports of intoxication at school or work

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• Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive
• Lying and covering up, secretive behaviors
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Avoiding eye contact
• Depression
• Going out every night
• Change in friends or peer group

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• Change in clothing or appearance
• Unusual smells on clothing or breath. Heavy use
  of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye
  reddening, nasal irritation or bad breath
• Hidden stashes of alcohol
• Alcohol missing from a parents supply

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• Money and valuables missing
• Disappearances for long periods of time
• Running away
• Secretive phone calls
• Unusual containers or wrappers

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What Can Parents Do to Prevent Underage Drinking?

• If a parent finds alcohol in their childs room
  or their backpack, or if they smell alcohol on
  their breath, they should not ignore it.
• According to SAMHSA, there are many things
  parents can do to prevent underage drinking.

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• Parents need to learn the warning signs and the
  ways alcohol can harm a childs mind, body and
  emotions.
• Parents should talk early and often with their
  child. Children should know what their parents
  expect of them, if they are offered alcohol at
  anytime or anywhere.
• Parents need to get involved in their childs
  activities. Children should be encouraged to
  participate in supervised groups, clubs and
  events that are fun and alcohol free.

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• Children often see their parents as role models.
  It is important for parents to think about what
  they say and how they act in front of their
  children.
• Children must be taught how to choose friends
  wisely and how to form positive relationships.
• Parents should set the rules, such as no riding
  with anyone who has been drinking. If children
  and adolescents find themselves in that
  situation, parents should assure them they will
  come and get them or help them find a safe way
  home.

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• SAMHSA reminds parents that the earlier they
  start talking to their children about drinking,
  the more influence they may have on their values
  and decisions.
• Several short conversations are better than a
  long lecture.
• Children need to know their parents are proud of
  them when they make good decisions.

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• Kids Health offers more tips for parents to try
• Keep tabs on where their children go.
• Know the parents of their child's friends.
• Parents should always make sure they have a phone
  number where they can reach their child.
• Kids should check in regularly, when they are
  away from home.
• When spending an extended length of time away
  from a parent, children should check in
  periodically with a phone call, email or
  visit home.

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Resources for Families

• If a parent finds out their child has an alcohol
  problem, there are resources such as
• SAMHSA National Drug Information Treatment and
  Referral Hotline
• 800-662-HELP (4357) dasis3.samhsa.gov
• Information, support, treatment options, and
  referrals to local rehab centers for any drug or
  alcohol problem. Operates 24 hours, seven days a
  week.

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• Alateen
• 800-344-2666 al-anon.alateen.org
• Alateen is a recovery program for young people
  which helps families and friends of alcoholics
  recover from the effects of living with a problem
  drinker.
• National Youth Crisis Hotline
• 800-442-HOPE (4673) 1800hithome.com
• Provides counseling and referrals to local drug
  treatment centers, shelters, and counseling
  services. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

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For More Information Visit These Websites

• Kids Health, http//kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcoh
  ol/alcohol/alcohol.html
• MedicineNet.com, http//www.medicinenet.com/alcoho
  l_and_teens/article.htm
• Partnership for a Drug Free America,
  http//www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Alcohol
• SADD, http//www.sadd.org/stats.htm

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• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health
  Services Administration), http//ncadi.samhsa.gov/
  govpubs/rpo992/ http//www.family.samhsa.gov/get
  /warnAlcohol.aspx
• WebMD, http//www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-
  abuse/teens-and-alcohol
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
  Alcoholism, http//www.niaaa.nih.gov/

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Missouri Department of Social Services State
Technical Assistance Team

• Address
• PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO 65102-0208
• Telephone [phone](800) 487-1626(8 a.m.
  to 5 p.m. CST, Monday Friday)
• Email
•  dls.stat_at_dss.mo.gov