Teen alcoholism rooted in childhood experiences like divorce
A recent US study showed that children are more likely to turn to alcohol in their teens if they underwent some form of negative childhood experience such as abuse or the divorce of their parents. The research polled almost 3,600 US citizens, aged between 18 and 39. The results showed that those who went through a bad experience as a child were more likely to begin drinking as young teens.
Among those negative experiences linked to teen alcoholism were abuse and the divorce or separation of their parents.
The journal Pediatrics reported the results which added to already mounting evidence that negative experiences during childhood can play a part in teen alcohol abuse.
The difference with this new research is that specific childhood problems have been identified. It was also found that people who drink as teens to cover the stress faced in childhood were more likely to have drinking problems in later life.
Two thirds of those questioned said they had been through one of the negative experiences highlighted in the study, with divorce being a major factor.
I find this information interesting, especially since I am a child of divorce but I also wonder what other types of information they got during all this research. Like, did these same people come from parents or grandparents that were alcoholics? Many people believe that alcoholism is a disease that is passed down through genes not circumstances.
I tend to be of the belief that children should be raised in a happy home with good energy. If that means one home or two homes so be it. Some people just were not meant to be together and sometimes people make mistakes so why make everyone suffer, including the kids, because of two people’s mistake.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not an advocate for divorce, but I do think children are very intuitive and know when parents aren’t happy…and if the child really loves the parent they will want them to be happy and they will be raised in a better, happier environment because of it. I wrote an article on that very subject. Here is the link:
http://www.firstwivesworld.com/resource/children/antonio/a-child-divorce-when-kids-know-youre-divorcing
So I’m not convinced of these findings about divorce causing alcoholism in kids…but hey…prove me wrong.
All my best,
AntonioFWW
Comment by AntonioFWW — August 14, 2008 @ 9:51 pm