Project on topic: Prevention of teenage alcoholism

Prevention Approaches

According to statistics, 33% of boys and 20% of girls among teenagers in the Russian Federation drink alcohol in any form every day or every other day. Considering the global medical and social consequences, as well as significant damage to the economies of states, continuous implementation of prevention measures is necessary. They differ from country to country, but the approaches are similar.

Population orientation

Children and adolescents are an integral part of society, so work to combat drunkenness must cover all age groups, since it is simply impossible to isolate them. Such interventions are called universal or population prevention. Its main task is the implementation of global recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

This includes educating citizens of all ages about problems associated with substance use. It is necessary to increase the general cultural and intellectual level of the population and introduce measures of state regulation of the sale and advertising of alcoholic beverages. In addition, appropriate conditions must be created to provide qualified medical care to vulnerable populations.

Work in schools

On the one hand, the school environment is a risk factor for the onset of abuse, on the other hand, this is why it is worth carrying out a significant amount of preventive work in it. Teachers are obliged to begin education from the elementary grades, gradually covering all students. A well-organized environment allows you to maintain a routine and attract young people to cultural events and organize interesting leisure time.

Prevention programs for school-age children are being developed by employees of the National Scientific Center for Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Department of Clinical Psychology of the Moscow State Medical University. Unfortunately, not all educational institutions take this issue seriously. Close cooperation with parents and government agencies is required.

In family

A global strategy to combat alcoholism may be completely ineffective in the face of dysfunctional families. It is impossible to change an inadequate parental parenting style until adults themselves realize that there are problems. Given the individual characteristics of people, it is simply not possible to reach everyone.

The Americans made it easier - they left no choice. Mandatory continuous preventive work has been organized at all schools not only with children, but also with parents (personally). Refusal to participate entails notification of social services, which may deprive rights to the child if the fact of dishonest care for him is confirmed.

Prevention of alcohol addiction in adolescents

decline in school performance
decreased ability to work
hypersensitivity, initiation of conflicts in the family, mental imbalance (may be natural signs of adolescence)
loss of interest in areas of previously interest
unkempt appearance, sloppiness
deterioration of health
change in vocabulary, appearance of non-normative elements

The task of school teachers and parents is to prevent the development of alcoholism in adolescents, carry out appropriate preventive measures, and timely recognize the signs that characterize addiction to alcohol.
A fundamental part of prevention is a positive atmosphere in the family and trusting communication between children and parents. Positive factors preventing the development of alcohol dependence are:

a full-fledged family consisting of two parents
intense leisure time, spending time together, playing sports, hiking
absence of chronic alcoholics or drug addicts in the family
absence of stress factors in the family (scandals, violence, etc.)
properly built communications between family members
moderate care from parents, showing genuine attention to the interests of the teenager, motivation, timely praise, etc.

Conducting educational events (seminars, lectures, trainings) among preschool staff (class teachers, teachers) by experienced narcologists and psychologists aimed at conveying information about the social problems of bad habits, effective methods of prevention, training in the skills of identifying signs of teenage alcoholism and practical aspects in solving problems tasks
motivating and involving teenagers from socially disadvantaged situations in various clubs, sports clubs, music studios, etc.
during the holidays, organizing camps at the educational institution. When forming groups, give priority to minors from disadvantaged and low-income families
promotion of a healthy lifestyle and sports hobbies. Conducting classes with the participation of masters of sports or other honored figures in the field of science, art, sports, promoting healthy lifestyle
holding sports competitions
Conducting presentations on the dangers of alcoholism, smoking and drug addiction. Involving teenagers in collective preparation for the presentation, searching for information material, etc. Active discussions, consideration of different points of view, etc.
watching a video about bad habits, discussion
conducting excursions to historical and cultural sites. Including excursions to museums of anatomy and pathological anatomy to demonstrate the consequences of drinking alcohol, surfactants, drugs and smoking
collective consideration of issues on the prevention of alcoholism among adolescents at teachers' councils, parent-teacher meetings, etc.

A big problem in any society is such a disease as alcoholism. To combat it, a person makes a lot of efforts and in some cases he manages to overcome this problem. There are special measures to prevent alcoholism.

All of them are aimed at creating a negative attitude towards alcoholic beverages. It is necessary to show by example how you can do without alcoholic beverages: in the world around you there are many other hobbies and interesting activities.

Most often, a disease such as alcoholism, like many others, requires preventive action.

First of all, it is necessary to create the right thesis that will support a negative attitude towards alcoholic beverages. It is necessary to create an atmosphere in which there will be no desire to drink alcohol.

It is necessary to support any person in his endeavors and develop creative thought, all this is aimed at preventing alcoholism. In the family, prevention occurs at the level of communication. Every person in the family has the right to vote and express their opinion. By creating an environment of comfort, warmth and coziness, a person gives up the idea of drinking alcohol.

Teenage addiction to alcohol is a rather difficult problem to solve and will require considerable effort and effort. The problem is both physiological and moral, and this is why alcoholism is prevented. During adolescence, alcohol causes serious harm to health, regardless of its dosage. The following categories of teenagers suffer mainly:

Children from disadvantaged families need alcoholism prevention.
Teenagers who get involved with difficult company should be subject to alcohol addiction prevention.
Children who lack communication and attention need such prevention.
Teenagers who are not busy should also receive preventive conversations on the dangers of alcoholism.

We suggest you read: How to overcome beer alcoholism
Organizational and educational measures play an important role in the prevention of teenage alcoholism. It is necessary to make an effort to convey to the consciousness of the teenager what harm alcohol can cause not only to his health, but also to his psyche. In order to prevent alcoholism, it is necessary to intensively conduct various conversations.

Special programs are being created in schools with reports on the prevention of teenage alcoholism. They conduct a targeted psychological fight against this disease and help in the prevention of alcoholism.

The ability to overcome any crisis situations, adapt to society and the team, all this is expressed in the direction of such actions of teachers.

Experienced specialists help with their actions to distract a teenager from addiction.

Training and mastering a new profession also helps to cope with the problem of alcoholism among teenagers. It is necessary to convince teenage children of the harmfulness of such addiction.

To prevent alcoholism, not only school conversations, reports and lectures are held, but also individual lessons, during which the child receives complete information about the dangers of alcohol addiction and understands the seriousness of its treatment.

The psyche of a school-age child is much weaker than that of an adult; in cases where disease prevention is carried out in the older generation, it suffers much less. It is necessary to follow some rules when influencing the psychological picture of a teenager:

It is necessary to maintain a favorable and prosperous atmosphere in the family. The absence of conflict situations and full-fledged trusting relationships will not provoke a craving for alcohol.
The child should develop resistance to stress and develop normal intellectual abilities.
Constant medical monitoring of a teenager's health and various treatment can help protect him from drinking alcohol.
From the external social factor, it is necessary to ensure that he lives in a normal, non-criminal area.
If all social norms and rules are followed, the child will not think about drinking alcohol.
In order to protect and prevent alcoholism, you do not need to use harsh methods. It is necessary to fully understand the problem associated with such addiction. All measures must be clearly aimed at correcting this problem; it is necessary to completely distract the teenager from the topic of alcohol.
You cannot give in in cases where a teenager already has a strong addiction to alcohol; it is necessary to prevent alcoholism among his social circle as quickly as possible.

For a teenager, it is necessary to organize his social and cultural leisure in order to prevent alcoholism. Only in these cases can alcoholism be prevented among minors and the situation not need to be brought to the attention of specialists. Drunkenness in the family is the main vice that surrounds minors.

You cannot stand by and watch a teenager become addicted to alcohol, you need to provide all possible help, otherwise everything may end in treatment from specialists in this field.

Treatment for alcohol addiction is carried out under the supervision of experienced specialists, and does not always produce results the first time.

Most often, the psychological factor is used to prevent alcoholism. Physical influence does not help and does not have a positive effect on the teenager’s psyche. It is necessary to approach prevention from different angles.

Family, school and social circle should be expressed only in a positive way for a teenager.

Prevention of alcoholism is to protect the teenager as much as possible from many factors influencing the development of addiction.

The problem of alcoholism among teenagers is quite acute and it is necessary to take as many actions as possible to prevent it. You should not shift the solution to the problem to the school and teachers; it is necessary to identify the source and try to eliminate the problem using various approaches to it.

Stages of teenage alcoholism

Children can become addicted to alcohol within 3-4 years, and the stages are as follows:

3-6 months of adaptation;
By about a year, addiction sets in, systematicity comes;
the appearance of cravings, tolerance increases 3-4 times, control over the amount drunk is lost;
psychophysical dependence. Increased manifestations of loss of control, psychosis, sleep problems, hallucinations;
antisocial behavior, dementia with alcohol etiology.

Already from the third stage, the help of specialists is needed.

Problems of teenage alcoholism

In adolescents, the psyche suffers, which leads to dullness, devastation, loss of morality, the nervous system is affected, and the permeability of brain vessels increases. In children, the liver suffers more, when problems with digestion appear, they lose weight, and the course of any problems worsens. Teenage crime is on the rise leads to mental problems and suicide.

The effect of alcohol on a teenager's body

Doctors say unequivocally: alcohol and children are incompatible concepts. Children should not be allowed to try adult drinks, even a little and on rare holidays. The effect of alcohol on a child’s body is expressed by the following features:

rapid development and strengthening of addiction - addiction occurs much faster than in an adult;
the toxic effects of alcohol on the brain lead to developmental delays;
Due to the underdevelopment of the liver and kidneys, the teenager’s body eliminates alcohol more slowly, as a result of which a number of somatic and mental disorders occur.

The consequences of teenage alcoholism are expressed not only in developmental delays, but are also characterized by the formation of sexual dysfunction, disruption of the digestive system, decreased immunity, deterioration of vision and degradation of personality in general.

Under the influence of alcohol, a young person becomes aggressive, withdrawn, his sleep is disturbed and his mood often changes; he can be rude to family members and react inappropriately when addressed to him.

Considering that it is quite difficult to get rid of a bad habit, a person grows up defective, underdeveloped and in the future will face many serious health problems. Treatment of addiction can take several years, provided that the patient is ready for it and understands the importance of following all the doctor’s recommendations.

How parents contribute to the formation of dependent behavior in children

If a child grows up in a totalitarian family, where he will be required to obey unquestioningly and fulfill all demands, then (unless, of course, he rebels against such a dictatorship in time), most likely he will grow up easily suggestible, not believing in his own strengths and capabilities. a person with extremely low self-esteem.

It is quite possible that this will lead to the fact that, having become an adult, he will not even try in any way to realize himself and assert himself in significant areas of life, and will find solace and satisfaction in some simple and easily accessible addictions (alcohol, drugs, gaming etc).

The opposite educational tactics can lead to a similar result. If parents from an early age “love” and take care of their baby too much, doing everything for him and fulfilling his every whim, then this is unlikely to stimulate him to develop his natural potential. He will grow up spoiled, lacking willpower, dependent and confident that all his desires will be instantly fulfilled.

When faced with the real world, where everyone strives for self-realization, and no one is in a hurry to satisfy his whims, he will most likely feel like a failure, capable of little without the help of his parents, which again will contribute to the emergence of various harmful addictions in him, including which he will “assert himself.”

Try to avoid such extremes in parenting. Remember that you are directly responsible for the psychological future of your children. There is no need to put too much pressure on them or overprotect them.

If they grow up independent, confident in their abilities, diversified, have adequate self-esteem and strive to maximize their natural potential, then they are unlikely to have any good reasons for leaving the real world for alcohol, drugs, computer games, virtual communication, etc.

Teenage alcoholism statistics 2020

According to statistics, alcohol dependence among adolescents is growing, which is caused by systematic alcohol consumption. The problem applies to girls and boys; the problem by geography can be seen in the table.

USA

The rate for adolescents is lower compared to other European countries. About 15% of teenagers drink alcohol every day.

Europe

In the territory, the presence of alcohol addiction was recorded in approximately 30% of girls and 40% of boys.

Russia

Russia leads the ranking in terms of teenage alcoholism. Approximately 77% are at one of the stages of alcoholism, in almost 90% of cases this situation is caused by drunkenness in families in which teenagers live.

Is there a universal recipe?

A specialist in the field named Allen Carr proposed the use of a technique that people use regardless of the stage and extent of their disease. He created a whole technique called “The Easy Way to Quit Drinking.” This book has undeniable benefits for schoolchildren, as well as for their parents.

It is also useful for young people to read such literature, especially as part of primary prevention. The book acts as a powerful preventative tool for drinkers and provides assistance in quitting this unhealthy and destructive habit. This manual can also be widely used during secondary prevention activities.

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reading this book, a person can make his resilience stronger and make the right choice. Therefore, the technique really works and makes society freer and healthier. In this regard, the technique is also effective as part of the third stage of preventive measures.

Signs of addiction

Sometimes the leader of a group of teenagers becomes an alcohol-dependent child who tries to introduce his friends to the bad habit. In this case, you should pay attention to his behavior. The following oddities can be identified:

sudden change of mood;
the emergence of secrets from parents and teachers;
loss of interest in hobbies;
plummeting grades;
suddenly he needed more pocket money without any reason.

If he smells of alcohol, you found a bottle of beer in his backpack, don’t indulge yourself in self-deception - your child is addicted.

You must convey the essence of the matter, help solve the problem and return him to the right path in life. The task of any parent is not to remain on the sidelines.

A child can spend pocket money on alcohol

Treatment methods for teenage alcoholism

Treatment processes are complicated by the inability to critically assess the teenager’s condition and the prohibition on treatment. It is especially difficult with families who drink, when social services have to be involved. Aggressive therapy does not work; adolescents often refuse to take medications and leave home. Peers can also be an issue as teens tend to want to be with their own group. For treatment, you have to completely stop communicating with people who drink, including changing your place of residence and school.

Treatment with medications

Adolescents should be treated in a hospital setting, and the process should be monitored by a doctor. If the addiction to alcohol is long-term, detoxification is performed to remove alcohol and disintegrate it. If necessary, assistance is provided to the respiratory organs, kidneys, blood circulation, and heart muscle.

Infusion therapy is relevant, taking into account weight, age, length of service, and severity of symptoms of poisoning. Nicotinic and ascorbic acids, rehydron, glucose, sodium chloride and other agents are used.

Causes of teenage alcoholism

Among the main reasons for alcoholism in children is the early lifting of prohibitions on alcohol, and many families even offer to follow adults. Alcohol is drunk in honor of the holidays, but children do not have the sense of proportion that comes with age. Children start drinking beer, energy drinks with alcohol, and cocktails at the first opportunity.

Other reasons that lead to alcohol consumption in children:

the desire to look more mature, to show oneself as the boss;
increased attention and care from parents. The response of the child’s psyche can be rebellion, a desire to get out of captivity. The result is rash actions, including alcohol;
unsuccessful company. It is better to know your child’s friends by sight, since teenagers are easily influenced by company and become alcoholic;
difficult, hostile atmosphere in the family. Constant scandals have a negative impact; parents' drunkenness will gradually incline their children to the same path.