Alcohol - Whats a Parent to Believe? (The Informed Parent)

245 Pages·2003·0.68 MB·English

by  Stephen Biddulph

Alcohol:
What’s a Parent to
Believe?
Stephen G. Biddulph
HAZELDEN®
Alcohol
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THE INFORMED PARENT
Alcohol
What’s a Parent to Believe?
Stephen G. Biddulph
HAZELDEN®
Hazelden
Center City, Minnesota 55012-0176
1-800-328-0094
1-651-213-4590 (Fax)
www.hazelden.org
©2003 by Stephen Biddulph
All rights reserved. Published 2003
Printed in the United States of America
No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any manner
without the written permission of the publisher
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Biddulph, Stephen G., 1945-
Alcohol : what’s a parent to believe? / Stephen G. Biddulph.
p. cm. — (The informed parent)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-59285-040-5 (softcover)
1. Teenagers—Alcohol use. 2. Parent and teenager. 3. Alcoholism—Prevention. 4.
Alcoholism—Treatment. I. Title. II. Series.
HV5135.B5 2003
362.292’0835—dc21
2003050914
Editor’s note
Any stories or case studies that may be used in this material are composites of many
individuals. Names and details have been changed to protect identities.
“An Ancient Tale” on pages 96–97 is reprinted with permission of J. B. Ritchie.
07 06 05 04 03 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover design by David Spohn
Interior design by David Spohn
Typesetting by Tursso Companies
Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Perspectives on Alcohol: From Parents, Teens, and Society 5
Chapter 2: Alcohol and the Body: What Happens When We Take a
Drink? 21
Chapter 3: Adolescence and Alcohol: What’s the Attraction? 43
Chapter 4: Alcohol Addiction: Is There Such a Thing as Responsible
Teenage Drinking? 77
Chapter 5: A Model of Adolescent Addiction: What Happens When
Kids Cross the Line? 99
Chapter 6: Reasons to Save: Can We Really Make a Difference? 127
Chapter 7: Prevention and Diversion: Can Alcoholism Be Prevented? 135
Chapter 8: Intervention: How Parents Can Help Teens 155
Chapter 9: Treatment: The Next Step 167
Chapter 10: Recovery: Regaining a Healthy Lifestyle 195
Notes 223
Index 229
About the Author 235
v
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Acknowledgments
In writing this guidebook for parents, I stand upon the shoulders of
countless others who have brought to light the knowledge and ideas
upon which this work draws. Although my name appears on the
cover, this was not an individual effort. I am indebted to those who
have enlightened my understanding and beliefs to make this book
possible. Janice Gabe, George Ross, countless researchers who wrote
informative articles about alcoholism and health, the National
Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addictions (NIAAA), and Bonner
Ritchie, a personal friend and mentor whose story “An Ancient Tale”
has inspired me for years, are among those I wish to acknowledge.
This book was made possible by Hazelden Publishing and
Educational Services in Center City, Minnesota. I am not an em-
ployee of Hazelden; however, I have been associated with the organi-
zation for several years through writing and presenting training and
lectures on adolescent and family addictions. In every circumstance, I
have been pleased by Hazelden’s graciousness and superb commit-
ment to excellence in providing honest and helpful materials for peo-
ple in recovery. I have been the benefactor of the professionalism of
the staff, beginning with Richard Solly, the editor who collaborated
with me on The Adolescent Recovery Plan and Continuing Care: A Team
Approach.
vii
viii/ Alcohol
I am indebted to those at Hazelden for their support and confi-
dence in me and for making possible the publication of this parent
guide. Karen Chernyaev has been my editor and guide throughout the
process of conceptualizing, formatting, and writing. Her thoroughness
and personal insights have been an inspiration to me and have both
broadened and personalized the message of this book. I am deeply
grateful to her and to Kristin Buzick for their editorial assistance.
I wish to acknowledge Dr. Garold Barton, Ph.D., director of
Clinical Services at Provo Canyon School, who has been a friend and
mentor for many years, and all of my former colleagues there for mak-
ing possible the experiences and opportunities that have ultimately
gone into the writing of this book and others.
My wife, Elaine, has always been supportive and encouraging in
this work. But most fundamentally, her true example of womanhood
and motherhood in bearing and raising our six children—often when
I was absent because of duties with the U.S. Marine Corps—has been
the richest blessing in my life. Without her, purpose would not exist.
Our children are our greatest assets and the foundation of our joy.
Introduction
This book is a factual and informative guide for parents on the subject
of alcohol use by children, especially teenagers. Each parent comes
with a unique experience and perspective on the topic of alcohol, but
one thing unites parents: the quandary that results when parents com-
bine the phenomenon of teenage drinking with their own attitudes,
beliefs, and behaviors around drinking. How you stand on the subject
ultimately determines the role you will play in your children’s lives
pertaining to their use of alcohol. This book is designed to help
remove the perplexity by providing parents with helpful information.
Nowhere in this book will I tell you not to use alcohol. I leave that
to you to decide. Rather, it is my intention to present only facts about
alcohol, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism, as known today through
scientific research and practical medicine, and to provide related
information to provoke intelligent thought and informed decisions.
Nevertheless, I must be forthright. I would not want the reader to
think that I am ambivalent on the subject of underage drinking. I do
not condone it for any reason. However, it is for you to make up your
own mind about alcohol and what role it will play in your life and the
lives of your children.
I believe that we need to come to three important conclusions by
the time we are done: (1) What role will we allow alcohol to play in
our own personal lives? (2) What influence will we allow alcohol to
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