Twelve year old Joey had been bullied by his fifteen year old brother, Billy for years. When Joey found Billy drinking from their parents liquor cabinet, he threatened to tell their parents. To prevent being found out, Billy offered Joey some alcohol, which he accepted.
There’s many possible situations that lead to an adolescence’s first drink.
Like the above example, it is not realistic that a parent can prevent alcohol use of their teen in every situation. Does that mean parents shouldn’t try? Absolutely not!
Why shielding teens from drugs or alcohol is a family best practice
The short answer is the underdeveloped teen brain seeks novelty, which drugs and alcohol provide. However, drugs and alcohol also slows down or stops brain development. Since the teen brain is not fully developed until the mid twenties, the longer before first use the more likely it is they will not have addiction problems.
Although shielding is one of the most important thing parents can do, like the example above, parents cannot always control every decision their teen makes.
In the example above, Joey’s first use was connected to feeling bullied.
When we can understand the beginning, we have much more potential to influence the ending in a good way.
What if my teen is past the shielding stage?
The words above may be helpful for parents whose teens have not started experimenting with drugs or alcohol, but what if your teen has been using drugs and alcohol for years? What if they’ve been to rehab and still use?
Unfortunately, relapse and repeated rehab stays are the norm.
I believe that some underlying biological factors, that drive an individuals addiction, are being missed by traditional recovery methods. For starters, people born with abnormal genetics have a greater tendency for addiction issues. Traditional treatment methods don’t check for abnormal genetics (polymorphisms), and nutrients that have been depleted by addiction - which obviously happens and are not rebuilt.
If your loved one is struggling with addiction and can’t stay in recovery check out www.alcoholbioquiz.com