When teens begin drinking, they may not realize it, but they’re at a much greater risk of becoming addicted to alcohol. Teens drinking alcohol in excess are much more likely to become addicted because their prefrontal cortex has yet to develop fully. This portion of the brain helps restrict the flow of dopamine in the brain so people can logically know when they need to stop drinking. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism classifies those with an addiction to alcohol as having an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Furthermore, more than 695,000 teen boys and girls suffered from AUD as of 2013.
What is Alcohol Poisoning?
Alcohol poisoning should be the biggest concern for parents who have children with an AUD because their bodies have yet to build tolerance for excessive drinking. This means that a teen is at a much higher risk of having alcohol poisoning than someone who has been binge drinking for years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that roughly 2,200 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. While 76% of those deaths are adult males, 5% of the 2,200 are teen boys and girls. Even if teenagers manage to avoid alcohol poisoning during this age, their likelihood of it happening to them increases exponentially just because they’re at a higher risk of becoming dependent. Alcohol dependence should always be address through the help of a professional alcohol detox center.
Other Statistics About Teen Alcohol Poisoning
Young people are abusing alcohol at an alarming rate, and in addition to alcohol poisoning, many deaths are related to excessive drinking. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported in 2013 that nearly 5.4 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 have engaged in binge drinking. In similar studies, more than 4,000 deaths of people under the age of 21 were directly related to alcohol. These deaths can be automobile accidents, homicides, suicides, and injuries like falls, burns, and drowning. People may think that fatal injuries are the worst-case scenarios for under-aged alcohol abuse. Still, studies have shown that alcohol abuse at this age causes an assortment of brain development issues.
What Do You Need to Know to Prevent Alcohol Poisoning?
There are some things people should know to avoid alcohol poisoning or to help someone who might be in danger. The standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, eight ounces of malt liquor, five ounces of wine, and a little over an ounce of liquor. Beer and malt liquor will contain about 5% to 7% alcohol, and liquor is often 40% alcohol. Depending on people’s weight or tolerance, they may not be able to handle as much alcohol as someone else. The signs of potential poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Slow breathing
- Hypothermia
- Irregular breathing
- Loss of consciousness.
If you find a person suffering from an alcohol overdose, you should try to help them remain conscious. You can also give them water or coffee and have them walk around. Please do not leave them alone to try to sleep it off.
Alcohol Detox Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
If your teen is struggling with alcohol addiction and has encountered some alcohol poisoning incidents, it’s time for them to get the appropriate drug and alcohol detox treatment they need. A professional detox center like Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Jupiter, Florida and Fort Lauderdale can help your teen. With detox services, they can resume a regular life free from alcohol addiction. We offer a range of alcohol addiction treatment options, including:
- Residential detox center
- Medical detox center
- Holistic detox center
- Men’s detox center
- Women’s detox center
Stop letting alcohol addiction control your life. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery to get started on your recovery by calling 866.294.5306 today.
