Protect Your Brain

Apr 27, 2023 | News

Protect Your Brain!
It’s Still Growing!

Image of Yellow glossy brain with text - Protect Your Brain - Not missing the moment

Did You Know Your Brain is Growing Through Your Mid-twenties? Drinking Before it’s Fully Developed can do Permanent Damage.

Alcohol always has short-term effects on the brain, like impairing judgment and coordination, but it can also have longterm consequences.

Some studies show that heavy drinking as a teen can reduce the size of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, two critical parts of the brain. These changes can harm learning and memory even years down the road.

Your brain is one of your most important organs. It’s behind ever y thought, feeling and action.

WITH ALL THE WAYS YOUR BRAIN HELPS YOU OUT, THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS PROTECT IT FROM ALCOHOL. DON’T DRINK WHILE UNDERAGE.

Talking to Your Kids

Starting the Discussion About Drug and Alcohol Use with Your Kids

Parents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to abstain from alcohol and drug use but what do we do if they are not? Besides the effects of substance use on the developing brain, teens using substances may face very serious consequences.

Learn More.

 

The Alcohol & Mental Health Connection

Apr 27, 2023 | News

The Alcohol & Mental Health Connection in Teens

Father and son in car, son with headphones on ignoring dad

Underage Alcohol Use is Tied to More Than Academic and Social Problems for Youth.

Teens may turn to alcohol to help them manage difficult feelings or high stress levels. However, adolescent brains are still developing, and drinking alcohol underage can quickly have problematic results.

Simply put, alcohol use is riskier for teens. When adults drink, they tend to become more subdued and slower, but it’s quite the opposite in adolescents. Teens can become energetic and then engage in more risky behavior. Behaviors that come as a result of poor-decision making, that they may not have otherwise engaged in without alcohol.

Teens with depression, anxiety, or ADHD are at particular risk. Youth struggling with depression can see an increase in suicidal thoughts and youth living with ADHD can increase impulsive behaviors because of drinking alcohol.

Take time to talk with your children about not drinking alcohol underage and the consequences in your home if they are caught. Their mental health depends on it.

Keep Showing Up, They’re Still Growing Up.

Talking to Your Kids

Starting the Discussion About Drug and Alcohol Use with Your Kids

Parents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to abstain from alcohol and drug use but what do we do if they are not? Besides the effects of substance use on the developing brain, teens using substances may face very serious consequences.

Learn More.

 

Underage Drinking Is Anything But Harmless

Apr 12, 2023 | Uncategorized

Underage Drinking Is Anything But Harmless

Photo of mom consoling depressed girl with text: Alcohol awareness month, talk to your kids about not drinking underage

Studies indicate that drinking can interfere with normal brain development, decreased school performance, increased involvement with the legal system, use of other substances, and a greater risk of injuries, including death from motor vehicle crashes.

As we observe Alcohol Awareness Month this April, let’s take this opportunity to highlight the positive impact of the effectiveness of underage drinking prevention strategies and messaging.

The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition provides tools and resources to parents and caregivers to engage teens in conversations about the importance of not underage drinking and choosing healthy lifestyle choices.

Talking to Your Kids

Parents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to abstain from alcohol and drug use but what do we do if they are not? Besides the effects of substance use on the developing brain, teens using substances may face very serious consequences.

Signs of Teen Drug or Alcohol Use
Figuring out if your child is using drugs or alcohol may pose a challenge. Many of the very early signs and symptoms could just be typical teen or young adult behavior. Many may also be signs of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety.

Learn More About the Dangers of Underage Drinking

https://www.cadca.org

Talking to Your Kids

Starting the Discussion About Drug and Alcohol Use with Your Kids

Parents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to abstain from alcohol and drug use but what do we do if they are not? Besides the effects of substance use on the developing brain, teens using substances may face very serious consequences.

Learn More.