Do you find empty bottles in your teenager's bedroom? Has he or she been coming home drunk or tipsy? If your answer to these questions is "yes" and your teenager happens to have ADHD, it may be time for an early intervention. According to current research, children with ADHD are at higher risk for alcoholism and substance abuse. It is believed that their proclivity towards alcohol is due to their impulsive nature, their craving for new stimulation, or the problems that often accompany their ADHD symptoms such as difficulties at school.
Alcoholism begins at adolescence
One current study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research involved the participation of 364 adolescents in Pittsburgh. Heavy drinking usually begins at the ages 15 to 17 as they gain better access to alcohol and related substances. Through an interview, it was discovered that those with ADHD are more likely to drink heavily than their peers and experience the consequences of their drinking, such as fights with parents, lower grades, and their inability to control the amount of alcohol they drink. Though the study's authors did not ask their reasons for drinking, it is believed that having ADHD makes a person more likely to have thrill-seeking, impulsive personalities.
Parental alcoholism increases the risk
The study unveiled one interesting finding: parental attitudes toward alcohol and family life may be a trigger for teenage alcoholism. Children of parents suffering from alcoholism are at higher risk of having an alcohol problem themselves. Though it is not yet known if there is an "alcoholic gene" responsible for teenage alcohol problems, it is believed that the stress due to handling ADHD may have driven some parents to drink. A similar cause-and-effect may be in store for their children.
Other experts believe that a parent's favorable attitude towards drinking may encourage their children to drink more. In fact, a survey discovered that among students 12-15 who drink, 42% obtained their alcohol from their parents.
If your child is just experimenting with alcohol at this point, you can still do something to influence your child's drinking patterns. Consider banning alcohol from the home and setting effective rules or consequences about alcohol use.
Tips for parents
If you're worried that your child may be developing an alcohol habit, sit him or her down and explain why alcohol use at this age is harmful. Point out that alcohol is a leading cause of automobile crash and related deaths. You can also explain how alcohol use can interfere with a developing brain, disrupt its ability to learn life skills, and worsen ADHD symptoms. It also helps to get to know your child's friends and to talk to fellow parents about alcohol use among teenagers. If your child's peers are responsible for introducing your child to alcohol, you can draw your child away from this circle by encouraging him or her to do extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or a part-time job.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is adhd.
No comments:
Post a Comment