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Depression and Drinking
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| Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 | Robert Seith | CWK Producer |
“I was unhappy because when I was drinking, nobody wanted to be around me… and then I was drinking because I wasn’t happy about that.”
– Zane Harman, 17
Are depressed children and teens more likely to drink? According to a new study, the answer is yes. The study also shows just how much more likely.
Zane Harman began drinking when he was 12. He says he was depressed and “kind of just drank and used drugs as an escape.”
But soon, the depression and the drinking turned into a vicious cycle.
“I was unhappy because when I was drinking, nobody wanted to be around me … and then I was drinking because I wasn’t happy about that,” Zane remembers.
Children who feel sad, lonely or depressed often turn to alcohol to ease their pain, experts say.
“Usually what they try to do is a self-medication regime, where they’ll start [using] drugs or alcohol, or doing other things to get their minds off of it,” explains Rudy Kalain, an adolescent drug treatment counselor.
In fact, according to the new study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 30% of children who go through a period of major depression -- even for just a few weeks -- are twice as likely to turn to alcohol, compared to kids who have never been depressed.
“Most people who become addicts will describe feeling different from early on – from early childhood – not feeling like they fit in with their peers, or not getting along, or not feeling like they fit in with their family,” says Psychiatrist Dr. Yolanda Graham. “And so a lot of teenagers will describe using alcohol to fill a void inside of themselves and [to] make them feel whole.”
Experts say this raises the stakes for parents: if your child shows signs of depression, get help before they turn to alcohol.
Child Psychologist Dr. John Piacentini says that to truly address a child’s drinking problem, parents may need to address the child’s depression
“The idea is teaching children coping skills in a way that may prevent the development of anxiety and depression over time, rather than waiting until they have the problem, and then treating [the problem] in that manner.”
What We Need To Know
- Adolescents should be counseled about alcohol and delaying use of alcohol. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Patterns of Alcohol Abuse (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Stage 1: Experimenting with alcohol. There may be strong peer pressure to use alcohol "just for fun" and to be part of the group. Most alcohol use happens on weekends. There often is no change in behavior between uses.
- Stage 2: Actively seeking alcohol. Alcohol is used to produce good feelings during times of stress. Usage occurs during the week. Schoolwork may suffer.
- Stage 3: Preoccupation with alcohol. There is an almost total loss of control over the use of alcohol. Attempts to limit alcohol use at this stage can cause withdrawal symptoms of depression, moodiness and irritability.
- It is entirely normal to feel "blue" occasionally, or to feel down for a while after something bad happens. For teenagers with major depression, however, feelings of sadness and hopelessness may last for weeks or months and can eventually dominate their lives. They lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, and relationships with family and friends can begin to suffer. (Safe Youth)
- Depression is not a sign of weakness -- it is a real medical illness. The vast majority of teens with depression can be helped with treatment, which typically includes counseling and/or medication. Unfortunately, most teens with mental health problems do not get the help they need. And when depression isn't treated, it can get worse, last longer and prevent teens from getting the most out of life. (Safe Youth)
Resources
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources- National Institutes of Health
