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Know the Risks

Untreated alcohol problems in children can have far reaching consequences. This page will tell you about the results of one major federal survey of the impact of untreated serious alcohol problems on older children.  

These numbers look at kids ages 15 to 20 who have a serious alcohol problem and compared them to their peers, which includes those kids who may drink but do not have a diagnosable disorder.

Children between the ages of fifteen and twenty who have an alcohol use disorder are more likely than their peers to have personal and mental health problems as well as find themselves in trouble at home and in their community.  

Additional Problems for Our Kids:

Source: National Comorbidity Survey

Six 5 times more likely to attempt suicide.
Four and a half 4.5 times more likely to get into a serious fight.
Three and a half 3.5 times more likely to carry a weapon.
Three 3 times more likely to be hospitalized with a mental health problem.
Three 3 times more likely to have a conduct disorder.
One and a half 1.5 times more likely to get into an accident, injure, or poison themselves.
Two Almost twice as likely to have multiple sexual partners.

Help is available. Here are a few suggestions:

If you believe your child may be at risk of having an alcohol disorder, consider taking a confidential, on-line alcohol screening at http://www.alcoholscreening.org or call 800/NCA-CALL for written material to help you assess their risk for developing alcoholism.

Contact your family doctor, a guidance counselor, spiritual advisor, or other professional.

Above all, communicate with your child.

Other Resources

Alcohol and the Family

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