Adolescents and Alcoholism

Substance abuse and mental health issues often accompany one another. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2017, almost 36 percent of adolescents with a substance use disorder had experienced a major depressive episode, while nearly 11 percent of those with a major depressive episode also had a substance use disorder. It has been estimated that 12,000 Virginians aged 12 to 17 struggle with alcohol addiction.

Questions to consider when evaluating your relationship with alcohol include:

Do you drink to relax or when you have problems? Do you prefer to consume alcohol alone? Are your grades slipping or are you having problems at work? Do you drink in the morning? Do you guzzle your alcoholic beverages? Do you ever lie about your drinking? Do you get drunk, even when you do not want to? Do you think it is cool to be able to imbibe a lot of alcohol?

There are numerous types of rehabilitation programs and treatment options, which range from residential to outpatient and can include specialized options for dual diagnoses or simply focus on alcohol and/or drug addiction. Lengths vary from 30 to 60, 90 or 120 plus days. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is available to help local residents determine what type of help they require and the resources that are available, particularly for those who may need assistance in paying for treatment.

Individuals who are addicted to alcohol should stop drinking under the supervision of a medical professional as withdrawal can include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and even hallucinations or seizures. The more someone has been drinking and the more quickly he or she stops consuming alcohol, the more intense his or her symptoms will be.

Aftercare treatment, such as continued therapy, sober living houses and/or 12-Step Programs, is critical in dealing with substance abuse and dramatically decreases the likelihood of relapsing. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) focuses on ongoing recovery and progressing through 12 Steps that help individuals maintain their sobriety. While donations are accepted, AA is free and meetings typically take place in public places, like churches, community centers and schools. Over 1/3 of AA’s members are female. AA meetings throughout Virginia can be found at https://aavirginia.org/.

In recovery, alcoholics need to avoid and have a plan for dealing with their triggers, things that remind them of drinking and make them crave it. This can include individuals they consumed alcohol with in the past, particular locations, receiving a paycheck, having an argument with someone or simply being bored. Those in recovery should eat and sleep well and exercise regularly to avoid feeling HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired). They should not test themselves by visiting places where or seeing people with whom they used to drink.

Something for those of legal drinking age in Virginia to consider, especially parents, is that it is a Class 1 Misdemeanor to purchase, give, provide or assist in providing alcohol to someone who is under 21. Penalties for violators include mandatory suspension of his or her driver’s license, and a possible fine of up to $2,500 and jail sentence of up to one year. For those under 21, purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol is also a Class 1 Misdemeanor with a mandatory 50 hours of community service or fine that ranges between $500 and $2,500 AND suspension of his or her driver’s license for 6 to 12 months, along with a possible jail sentence of up to one year.

For most people, relapsing is part of recovery. Each time individuals relapse, they learn more about their triggers and the coping skills that currently are not working for them. The important thing is to try again. In reality, many adolescents begin drinking alcohol as a way to self-medicate an underlying mental illness. Addressing those issues will make getting and staying sober easier.

Thank you to Heather from Help.org, who recently E-Mailed suggested topics to add to the website, including this one. A guide to “Alcohol Addiction Rehab, Treatment & Recovery Resources in Virginia” prepared by Help.org can be found at https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-virginia/.