Teens With ADHD More Prone to Alcohol Use
Alcohol awareness, especially among teens, is an important public message and focus of many public agencies and private advocacy groups.
Teens are vulnerable to peer-pressure and early alcohol use and abuse; yet, one group among teens may be predominantly more vulnerable.
Teens with ADHD may be at an increased risk for alcohol use and abuse.
Research has shown that children with severe ADHD have a higher risk of developing problems with alcohol and drug abuse.
They are more prone to alcohol abuse than their peers who do not have ADHD.
A study in the "Journal of Abnormal Psychology" (August 2003) followed children with ADHD and a control group (no ADHD) into adolescence (ages 13-18).
The study found that the teens with severe ADHD reported earlier and heavier instances of alcohol use, more frequent episodes of binge drinking and drinking to "get drunk," and the highest 'alcohol problems' scores.
The research indicates that deliberate and early interventions for alcohol awareness should be addressed with children and teens diagnosed with ADHD.
A very common disorder, an estimated three to five percent of youth are affected by ADHD.
As a lifelong disorder it can cause many problems for an individual unless treatment is well managed.
For youth, this should include early awareness of drugs and alcohol and related problems.
Teens with ADHD often feel they have to try harder to impress their peers.
Their disorder can keep them from feeling 'normal' and can make them feel inferior to others.
They often battle feelings of physical restlessness or hyperactivity, have trouble staying focused in school, have a hard time managing and organizing tasks and time, and are prone to impulsive behavior.
These feelings can lead them to turn to alcohol in an attempt to escape or control their feelings.
They may see alcohol and getting drunk as a way to 'be cool' or simply as an activity they think is fun with no responsibility for their actions.
Teens need to understand the immediate and long term effects of alcohol use--from impaired driving and alcohol-related accidents to medical problems which can be fatal.
Teens that exhibit unhealthy alcohol habits in adolescence are at an increased risk of developing an addiction to alcohol as adults.
An estimated 14 million adults in America abuse alcohol.
Early awareness in teens, especially teens with ADHD, thus predisposed to alcohol abuse, can help reduce this alarming statistic and create a healthier society.
Teens are vulnerable to peer-pressure and early alcohol use and abuse; yet, one group among teens may be predominantly more vulnerable.
Teens with ADHD may be at an increased risk for alcohol use and abuse.
Research has shown that children with severe ADHD have a higher risk of developing problems with alcohol and drug abuse.
They are more prone to alcohol abuse than their peers who do not have ADHD.
A study in the "Journal of Abnormal Psychology" (August 2003) followed children with ADHD and a control group (no ADHD) into adolescence (ages 13-18).
The study found that the teens with severe ADHD reported earlier and heavier instances of alcohol use, more frequent episodes of binge drinking and drinking to "get drunk," and the highest 'alcohol problems' scores.
The research indicates that deliberate and early interventions for alcohol awareness should be addressed with children and teens diagnosed with ADHD.
A very common disorder, an estimated three to five percent of youth are affected by ADHD.
As a lifelong disorder it can cause many problems for an individual unless treatment is well managed.
For youth, this should include early awareness of drugs and alcohol and related problems.
Teens with ADHD often feel they have to try harder to impress their peers.
Their disorder can keep them from feeling 'normal' and can make them feel inferior to others.
They often battle feelings of physical restlessness or hyperactivity, have trouble staying focused in school, have a hard time managing and organizing tasks and time, and are prone to impulsive behavior.
These feelings can lead them to turn to alcohol in an attempt to escape or control their feelings.
They may see alcohol and getting drunk as a way to 'be cool' or simply as an activity they think is fun with no responsibility for their actions.
Teens need to understand the immediate and long term effects of alcohol use--from impaired driving and alcohol-related accidents to medical problems which can be fatal.
Teens that exhibit unhealthy alcohol habits in adolescence are at an increased risk of developing an addiction to alcohol as adults.
An estimated 14 million adults in America abuse alcohol.
Early awareness in teens, especially teens with ADHD, thus predisposed to alcohol abuse, can help reduce this alarming statistic and create a healthier society.
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