THE PROGRESSION OF TEEN ADDICTION

“Most people who start drinking or using drugs do not intend to become alcoholics or drug addicts.” From Understanding Addiction

The average age when youth first try alcohol is 11 years for boys and 13 years for girls. The average age at which Americans begin drinking regularly is 15.9 years old. According to research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, adolescents who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. From www.focusas.com/Alcohol.html

It has been estimated that over 3 million teenagers are out-and-out alcoholics. Several million more have a serious drinking problem that they cannot manage on their own. The three leading causes of death for 15- to 24 year olds are automobile crashes, homicides, and suicides – alcohol is a leading factor in all three. From www.focusas.com/Alcohol.html

Binge drinking, often beginning around age 13, tends to increase during adolescence, peak in young adulthood (ages 18-22), then gradually decrease. Those who increase their binge drinking from age 18 to 24 and those who consistently binge drink at least once a week during this period may have problems attaining the goals typical of the transition from adolescence to young adulthood (e.g. marriage, educational attainment, employment, and financial independence). From www.focusas.com/Alcohol.html

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 1 : Experimental Drug Use (Late grade school or early junior high) Occasional pot smoking, glue sniffing. Usually done weekends or during the summer, mostly with friends. Easy to get high because of low tolerance. Thrill of acting grown up and defying parents is part of the high. From bobbybenson.org

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 2 : More Regular Use (Late junior high and early high school) Tolerance increases with increased use. Acceptance of the idea “everyone does it”. Staying out later, even all night. Use of alcohol increases. Pride in being able to “handle it”. Use on week nights begins and skipping school may increase. From bobbybenson.org

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 2 (continued) Blackouts may begin – “What did I do last night?” Solitary use begins – Risk taking increases. Concentration on fooling adults when high. The next high is planned and anticipated. Source of supply is a matter of worry. Use during the day starts. There is a need to “make it through the day”. From bobbybenson.org

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 2 (continued) School activities are dropped. Grades will drop. Truancy increases. Non-drug friends are dropped. From bobbybenson.org

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 3 : Daily Preoccupation Spend more money on drugs and alcohol. Being high becomes normal. All activities seem to include drug use. May steal to get money to buy drugs. User will begin to isolate themselves from all others. Possible dealing, court trouble. May try to cut down or quit to convince self that there is no problem with drugs. From bobbybenson.org

DEPENDENCE CONTINUUM Stage 4 : Dependency (Addiction) Getting high during work or school. Drugs are used to escape the self. Can’t tell what normal behavior is anymore. Loss of weight, frequent illnesses, poor memory. Thoughts of suicide and difficulty with the law. Continued denial of a problem. From Bobbybenson.org

Definition of Addiction “People can be said to be addicted when they lose control over the use of a substance and continue that behavior despite negative consequences.” Basically, addiction means craving, seeking & using the drug despite bad things happening From Understanding Addiction

Definition of Addiction Addiction begins and grows when a person abandons the natural ways of getting emotional needs met – through connecting with other people, one’s community, one’s self, and spiritual powers greater than themselves. Addiction, like other major illnesses, changes people in permanent ways. From Understanding Addiction

DISEASE PROGRESSION Warning Signs: Drinking/using more frequently and more than friends. Drinking/using for confidence or way to have fun or escape problems. No party or other occasion is complete without a couple of drinks/drugs.

DISEASE PROGRESSION EARLY ALCOHOLISM: With increasing frequency, the individual drinks too much. “Blackouts”, or temporary amnesia, occur during or following drinking episodes. He drinks more rapidly than others, sneaks drinks and in other ways conceals the quantity that he drinks. He resents any reference to his drinking habits.

DISEASE PROGRESSION BASIC ALCOHOLISM: The individual begins to lose control as to the time, place and amount of his drinking. He gets drunk unintentionally. He hides and protects his liquor supply. He drinks to overcome the hangover from his prior drinking. He tries new patterns of drinking as to time and place of drinking. He attempts cures by moving to new locations or by changing his drinking companions.

DISEASE PROGRESSION CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM: The individual becomes a loner in his drinking. He develops alibis, excuses and rationalizations to cover up or explain his drinking. Personality and behavior changes occur that affect all relationships – family, employment, community. Health issues also occur as chronic alcoholism progresses.

A Little Quiz 1. Do you lose time from work because of your use of alcohol or drugs?

A Little Quiz 2. Is your home life affected by your use of alcohol or drugs?

A Little Quiz 3. Have you ever felt ashamed or remorseful after using?

A Little Quiz 4. Have you ever had money trouble because of your using?

A Little Quiz 5. Do you crave alcohol or drugs at a certain time every day?

A Little Quiz 6. Once you start using, do you have trouble stopping?

A Little Quiz 7. Do you use when you are alone?

A Little Quiz 8. Do you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop?

A Little Quiz 9. Have you put anyone in physical danger because you have used alcohol or drugs?

A Little Quiz 10. Have you lied to someone about using drugs or alcohol?

A Little Quiz If you answered yes to any 1 question, you may have a problem. If you answered yes to 3 or more, you may be dependent on a substance. Source: American Medical Association