Why Don’t Young People Reach Out For Help With Alcoholism?
“Alcohol isn’t really a drug…” “Alcohol is legal!” “It’s not as deadly as heroin- you know what you’re getting!” These are the kinds of excuses that get said every day by teens and young adults.
Many young adults who meet the diagnosis for alcohol use disorder aren’t seeking treatment, because they don’t think they have a problem. In a recent study of 351 young adults who met the criteria for alcohol use disorder, 96% believed they didn’t need help and 29% thought the problem would go away on its own as they got older. So why don’t young people think alcoholism is a real problem?
A residential mental health treatment program could be the way to overcome alcoholism in young adults. Call us at 833.625.0458 for more information.
Three common reasons why people are hesitant to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder
1. “It’s legal”
So, you can buy alcohol at a store, you can use it public, how can it be that bad- the question then becomes, if you had to buy alcohol from the sketchy part of town, from a dealer, would that make it a “bad” drug, would you then stop, or would you continue to drink? Many people don’t even consider alcohol to be a drug, and if they do, they justify it by saying it’s legal or “not that bad.”
While alcohol is a legal drug, that doesn’t equate to being a safe drug. Alcohol poisoning kills six people per day, which doesn’t include the number of people who die in fatal car crashes due to impaired driving or cirrhosis of the liver, which is caused by heavy drinking over long periods of time. Legal does not mean safe: Smoking cigarettes is also legal, however, proven to be deadly and cancerous. Eating Mcdonald’s every day is legal, but we know it is bad for our health and can cause health problems. Not wearing a seatbelt is legal, but we know that increases our chances of being injured if we got in a crash. Just because alcohol is legal, doesn’t mean you should ask for help if your drinking has begun affecting you negatively in any way.
2. “It could be worse”
Many people feel that if they aren’t heavily drinking every day, or they don’t get the “shakes” from drinking, then their drinking isn’t really a problem. Many alcoholics minimize their drinking to avoid feelings of guilt or shame, some even believe that their drinking isn’t that bad regardless of one or two negative consequences. The excuses may be “I don’t have any DUIs” or “I don’t blackout every night, it’s just a drink or two!”
While these excuses may be accurate, maybe they are experiencing family problems or increased depression and anxiety- which are two symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
3. “Everyone Else is doing it”
The statistics are shocking, and the excuse “everyone else is doing it” isn’t too far off. Over seventy percent of Americans ages 18 and older reported binge drinking in the past year. Does that make it okay? No. Does that make it seem like binge drinking is normal? Possibly.
Many people who engage in dangerous drinking don’t see it as a problem simply because they are out drinking with friends who drink just as much if not more, or because it’s not an everyday occurrence. Binge drinking is actually just as dangerous as drinking every day, it can cause health problems, such as liver, digestive, and alcohol poisoning, as well as legal problems such as DUIs. If “everyone is doing it” is your best excuse as to why you continue to binge drink, ask yourself- if everyone was doing a “harder” drug would you do it?
The Facts About Young Adult Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a serious problem, and it can affect anyone, regardless of their age. However, alcohol addiction is particularly common in young adults. In fact, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), one out of every four people who are addicted to alcohol is between the ages of 18 and 24.
There are a number of reasons why young adults are more likely to develop alcohol addiction. For starters, many young people drink because they see it as a way to have fun and fit in with their peers. Additionally, the brain is still developing in young adults, and this can make them more susceptible to alcohol addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it is important to get help. There are a number of treatment options available, and with the right support, it is possible to overcome alcohol addiction.
Get Help Today
A shocking 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes each year. Alcohol should be viewed as a hard drug. Just because it is legal, doesn’t mean it is any safer. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse, and don’t know where to turn for help, let go and let’s chat.
You don’t have to be like “everyone” else, you can decide to change your life, today. Call us today at 833.625.0458 and let’s get you on the path to recovery from alcohol as soon as possible.
