When Friends & Family Use & Abuse / Question
Published: February 5, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My friend started drinking when she was very young. She is only 14 and she drinks all the time. What should I do? How can I help her?
Signed: Scared - Friend Drinks All The Time
Dear Scared - Friend Drinks All The Time,
Underage drinking is a serious issue that can have profound health and legal consequences. Research suggests that the earlier you start drinking the more likely you are to abuse alcohol later in life. Teens often use alcohol as an escape from reality and drink excessively at parties or on the weekends. Alcohol often provides a false escape and can lead to serious problems when sober.
Your friend may not realize she has a problem and may resent you for intervening. However, it is important for you to urge your friend to seek help. Frequent and excessive drinking can lead to liver problems later in life. If intoxicated your friend may act on feelings she wouldn't when sober and may put her into compromising positions. If your friend is caught with alcohol or found intoxicated by a police officer there will be judicial consequences.
It is important to express your concern in a caring and non-attacking manner. There are many places your friend can get help. If you do not feel comfortable talking to your friend or if your friend ignores the problem, TeenHealthFX encourages you to talk to a trusted adult, teacher, counselor, doctor or parent. If you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475. If you live outside Northern New Jersey, please call Alcoholics Anonymous or look in yellow pages of your phone book under Alcoholism to get further treatment information.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
The reality of excessive interest rates and fees that often accompany credit card use for teens, can put youngsters in a position where they are losing out on admission to graduate school, getting a job, or renting an apartment because of damaged credit history.
