Location
Our Seattle Location
Northpoint Seattle’s outpatient treatment program is located in beautiful Seattle, Washington, and we work to help the surrounding communities.
- Seattle
2111 N Northgate Way Suite 101,
Seattle, WA 98133, United States
Underage drinking is a severe problem in the U.S. Many parents are clueless about their kids' drinking. The best way to address underage drinking is before it even starts. In addition to being one of the leading causes of alcoholism later in life, there are many concerning facts about underage drinking.
If you believe your child or teen is drinking, don't wait to get help. Call us at 888.483.6031 to get your child the help they need.
Facts About Underage Drinking
Alcohol is the most abused substance among teenagers in the U.S. Nearly one in every three teenagers has at least one drink by the time they turn 15. That statistic nearly doubles by the time teens turn 18.
Children and teens who use alcohol are:
- Six times more likely to develop alcoholism.
- More likely to abuse other drugs.
- More likely to binge drink.
Often, teens who start drinking begin after they feel peer pressure. They are also more likely to start if parents or other relatives abuse alcohol around them. Sometimes, teen alcohol use starts as experimentation but can spiral out of control quickly.
How Does Alcohol Effect Teenagers?
Adolescent minds develop for a very long time, which is one reason the legal drinking age is 21 years old. Physically, children and teens are not mature yet
Teenagers who drink may struggle with simple and complex mental tasks in the future. They may have difficulty learning or remembering things, often lose some motor function, and can develop mental health disorders like depression. Serious physical effects are also likely in teenage drinkers. Often, they experience nausea and vomiting, vision problems, and hormone disruption.
Binge drinking is also popular among teenagers, which can lead to:
- Blackouts
- Liver damage
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
Talking to Your Teen
If you believe your child or teen is drinking, starting the difficult conversation is vital. Not only are the mental and physical effects much more severe to their developing bodies, but they are also putting others at risk.
Your teen is also much more likely to become addicted to alcohol. The more they rely on alcohol to have fun or provide an emotional outlet, the stronger their connection with alcohol, increasing their chance of becoming an alcoholic.
You can do some things to help your teenager before they start drinking or even if they have already started.
- Tell them you are there for them to talk to.
- Inform them of the dangers of underage drinking.
- Let them know their future can be affected.
- Help them find ways to resist peer pressure.
Underage Alcohol Treatment at Northpoint Seattle
You may be very concerned about sending your children away to alcohol rehab as a parent. You're right to have reservations. Addiction is isolating, and seeking help can be intimidating even as a parent or advocate.
However, your teen needs to build the skills to succeed in sobriety. Our outpatient rehab program helps maintain a sense of normalcy while your teen receives the help they need to begin recovery. Your teen can continue to live at home and attend school while attending therapy at our welcoming center a few times a week. Our underage drinking treatment program includes:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
As a mom or a dad with an underage drinker at home, your worries are completely understandable. You need answers, and you need help. Contact us at 888.483.6031 to get your teen on the path to recovery today.