These rates are alarming for a number of reasons, particularly given the number and severity of consequences associated with adolescent alcohol abuse. High levels of substance use have been associated poor health. Teens who abuse substances are more likely to experience anxiety, tension, low self-esteem, paranoid reactions, panic attacks, violent behavior and depression. Physical ramifications include eating and sleeping disorders, and, premature involvement in sex and teenage pregnancies, STDs and AIDS (Segal & Stewart, 1996).
Under the stress of substance use, being socially active also decreases, limiting participation in activities are healthy for teens (Segal & Stewart, 1996). Substance abusing teens are also at high academic risk. Poor adjustment and school performance and low achievement (Hops et al., 1999) increase the likelihood of dropping out of high school thus decreasing economic earnings. Teen substance abusers also have greater delinquency rates and homicidal and suicidal behavior compared to their non-abusing peers (Segal & Stewart, 1996). Together these outcomes result in less optimistic futures for teens and an economic drain on society.
Despite these odds, as you will read, adults can and do help adolescents make healthy decisions about alcohol use. Parents and other caring adults have the opportunity to really make a difference. Teens who feel supported do make healthier choices regarding alcohol use. April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. Use this opportunity to connect with an adolescent that you care about.
References:
Hops, H., Davis, B., & Lewin, L. M. (1999). The development of alcohol and other substance use: A gender study of family and peer context. Journal of studies on alcohol, 13, 22.
Johnston, L. D., O'Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G. (Dec. 1999). Drug trends in 1999 are mixed. University of Michigan News and Information Services: Ann Arbor, MI. [On-line]. Available: http://www.monitoringthefuture.org; accessed 02/25/00.
Segal, B. M., & Stewart, J. C. (1996). Substance use and abuse in adolescence: An overview. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 26, 193-210.
Adolescents who have a supportive parent(s) or another caring adult in their lives are more likely to avoid substance abuse. Being a supportive adult requires a variety of relationship skills. Daily activities provide a variety of opportunities to be supportive… if you know where to look. A number of skills and strategies associated with supportiveness are outlined below. Based on the following guidelines each and every adult has the potential to help protect adolescents from substance abuse.
Communication. A warm and uncritical approach to communication encourages adolescents to share their honest thoughts and feelings. Clear expectations and values must also be conveyed. Don't assume that the teens you are interacting with understand your views. Set high expectations for the adolescents in your life and support them in their attempts to achieve them. Sometimes communication is a difficult struggle for parents and adolescents. If this is the case, don't hesitate to express your feelings through a letter or short notes. Other adults can also be helpful -- another caring adult can help affirm a supportive message and aid in mediating a difficult parent-adolescent relationship.
Monitoring and supervision. Communication should be complimented by structure and boundary setting for adolescents. This includes providing opportunities to foster youth responsibility through household chores or organizational tasks. As an adult you might choose to drink alcohol. Your supervision of adolescents around this issue does not make you a hypocrite. Be honest about your use and share your hopes for a healthy life for them. Be aware that stringent monitoring can actually encourage adolescents to rebel, placing teens at greater risk of alcohol abuse.
Attachment, bonding and connectedness. Adults who provide nurturance, concern, and protection to youth are likely to enhance their connectedness with teens. Conveying acceptance and nurturance to teens should be demonstrated as well as spoken. Involvement in and encouragement of adolescent school activities is helpful. It is true, actions often speak louder than words, especially when it comes to bonding.
References:
Anderson, E. (1991). Neighborhood effects on teenage pregnancy. N C. Jenks and P. E. Peterson (Eds.), The Urban Underclass. Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution, pp. 375-398.
Rhodes, J. E., Ebert, L., & Fisher, K. (1992). Natural mentors: An undiscovered resource in the social networks in African-American adolescent mothers. Ameircan Journal of Community Psychology, xx, xx-xx.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1998). Parenting is Prevention. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. (5 March, 2000).
Werner, Emmy E. (1987). Vulnerability and resiliency in children at risk for delinquency: A longitudinal study from birth to young adulthood. J. D. Burchard, S. N. Burchard et al. (Eds.). Prevention of delinquent behavior. Vermont conference on the primary prevention of psychopathology, Vol. 10. (pp. 16-43). Beverly Hills, CA, USA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Werner, E. E. (1990). Protective factors and individual resilience. In S. J. Meisels and J. P. Shonkoff (Eds.), Handbook of Early Intervention. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Williams, T. M., & Kornblum, W. (1985). Growing up poor. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
This issue of Ups & Downs was contributed by Laurie L. Meschke, Ph.D., Epidemiology, University of Minnesota. Ups & Downs is edited by Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D., Assistant Youth Development Cooperative Extension Specialist, University of California, Davis.