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Teenagers battling alcohol addiction pose a significant challenge for parents and guardians. Recognizing the vital importance of alcohol detoxification for these adolescents is paramount.
Join me in this enlightening blog where I draw from my extensive clinical experience at Clearfork Academy to provide valuable insights into the journey of medically supervised alcohol detox specifically designed for teens.
The Dark Side of Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is a significant threat to adolescents, and it comes with grave consequences. Such behavior can lead to risky and reckless choices like drunk driving and unprotected sex.
Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can damage the developing brain cells and increase the risk of mental and physical health problems, including depression, liver diseases, and cancer. Therefore, parents and guardians must actively discourage their teens from indulging in alcohol.
The Stark Reality
Alarming statistics highlight the dangers of underage drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), by the 8th grade, about 27% of teens have consumed alcohol, while by the 12th grade, this figure increases to 65%. Furthermore, every year, about 4,300 deaths occur among adolescents due to excessive alcohol use. These facts emphasize the need to monitor teen alcohol consumption closely.
The Why Behind Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is the first stage of addiction treatment for teens. It involves the removal of toxins from the body to rid the system of alcohol dependence. Medically supervised detoxification is crucial because it ensures the safety and comfort of the adolescent during the withdrawal process. Without medical supervision, teens can experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and delirium tremens.
Inside Medically Supervised Alcohol Detox
Medically-supervised alcohol detoxification involves close medical monitoring of the teen’s vital signs, nutritional intake, and hydration status. The process includes slowly tapering the alcohol levels in the body by administering medications to manage withdrawal symptoms adequately. The duration of detox depends on the severity of the alcohol addiction and can last between 5 to 14 days. After detoxification, the teen can progress to the next stage of addiction treatment.
Demystifying the Realm of Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal from alcohol addiction causes physical and psychological symptoms such as tremors, anxiety, agitation, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and seizures.
| In severe cases, delirium tremens can occur, causing hallucinations, confusion, and severe agitation.
However, the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the individual, and medical professionals will prescribe appropriate medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms effectively.
Detoxification at Clearfork Academy
Alcohol addiction is a serious issue for teens, and medically supervised alcohol detox is the first step toward recovery. It is critical to educate parents and guardians about the importance of alcohol detoxification to understand and address the dangers and consequences of underage drinking comprehensively.
The healing journey involves various stages of addiction treatment, including inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, behavioral therapies, and relapse prevention. With proper intervention and support from loved ones, teens can overcome alcohol addiction and lead fulfilling lives.
Is your teenager struggling with alcohol addiction? Don’t wait, take action now and provide them with the help they need. Clearfork Academy is here to support your teen on their journey to recovery.
Why Choose Clearfork Academy?
- Specialized teen rehab center in Fort Worth
- Dedicated to helping teens reach their full potential
- Christ-centered recovery community
- Comprehensive alcohol detox and rehabilitation programs
- Personalized treatment plans for lasting recovery
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
