No child plans to grow up to struggle with addiction. Yet many end up becoming a young adult alcoholic. You may wonder if you have a problem with drinking. Conversely, it might be a young person you care about. In short, the answer may be yes. Launch Centers knows how to put an end to alcohol addiction. We teach people to understand their addiction. Then, we show them the way out of it.
Can a Young Adult Be Considered an Alcoholic?
Generations ago, a stereotype existed about alcoholics. Many felt they were mostly older people. As well, they often thought of them as typically being male. Instead, a person of any age or gender can develop an addiction to alcohol. Teenagers and adolescents who drink may feel they are just having fun. They often write off their drinking as youthful experiments. In contrast, they may be on their way to becoming young adult alcoholics.
Statistics of Young Adult Alcoholics
Many young adults qualify as alcoholics, However, they may not be aware of this fact. Nevertheless, statistics point out the problem is widespread. A study done in the U.S. in 2018 showed how common alcohol abuse has become. Facts uncovered about adults aged 18 to 25 include:
- More than one-third binge drank in the past month. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks in a short amount of time.
- Around 55% of this group drinks alcohol.
- Around 3 million counts themselves as heavy alcohol drinkers. They drank heavily at least once in the past month.
Statistics for teenagers and adolescents also show how common drinking is in this age group.
- About 9% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 consume alcohol.
- Nearly 15 million people aged 12 and older have an alcohol use disorder.
- Almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol at least once.
Young adult alcoholics risk their health by waiting to get help. No one is too young to receive professional addiction treatment. Doing so while young can prevent a lifetime of substance abuse.
Why Do Young Adults Drink So Much?
Many reasons for drinking alcohol as a young adult exist. For example, many start drinking out of curiosity. Marketing campaigns make consuming alcohol seem fun. They are quick to showcase people enjoying drinking beer, wine, and hard liquor. Yet, they do not also point out how easily addiction can develop.
Along with curiosity, a lot of young adults feel peer pressure. When their friends drink, they feel pressure to join them. Some peer groups ostracize those who don’t engage in a party lifestyle. The young adult begins to drink to fit in. However, many don’t leave it at casual drinking. They go on to become young adult alcoholics.
Consuming alcohol can be an attempt to relieve painful emotions. This can include mental health problems. About half of people who have a mental illness also deal with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Getting drunk can be an attempt to ease mental health symptoms. For example, the person may want to stop feelings of depression or anxiety. They also may have suffered from trauma. Thus, they rely on alcohol to help distract them from how that affects them.
Homelife can play a part in a person becoming a young adult alcoholic, too. A child who grows up around alcoholics increases their chance of becoming one. They learn from the examples of the behavior of their loved ones. Additionally, genetics may factor in. A person with relatives who have an alcohol addiction is at risk. They have a higher chance of following in their footsteps.
Finding Help for a Young Adult Alcoholic
If you know a young adult alcoholic who needs help, it can be scary. Under those circumstances, seeking help quickly makes a difference. Detox provides the first stop for treatment. Unhealthy toxins build up during alcohol abuse. Detox allows the person to rid their body of them. As a result, they become clear-headed. Then, they are ready to begin the next phase of treatment.
Many young adults continue residential treatment. For others, outpatient treatment fits their needs better. Options for this include regular outpatient and intensive outpatient. Partial hospitalization programs can also help. These programs all take place during the day. This allows the young person to get help while still living at home.
This age group often needs help with learning skills related to life, career, and school. Much time during young adulthood can be lost to alcoholism. Consequently, the person may not have developed useful skills. In this event, they often need help planning a college career. They also require assistance learning how to seek and keep a job. Even basic life skills like planning a budget and meal planning can help. With these skills learned, they can function more fully as a young adult.
Alcohol Rehab for Young Adults in Los Angeles, CA
Has alcohol taken over your life? We can help you leave it behind you. We offer expert detox services. As well, we provide outpatient treatment. Don’t wait another day before you get the help you deserve. You can become sober and stay that way. Launch Centers in Los Angeles changes the lives of young adult alcoholics. Visit our admissions page to get started.
