Why is Alcohol Abuse Rising in Teens?

Unfortunately, alcohol abuse is increasing today, including among teenagers. There are many reasons for this fact. The influences of adults and social media are just a couple of them. Teens today face tremendous pressure to be cool and mature in unhealthy ways. Many of them are subjected to a number of social ills, alcoholism being just one of them.

The instant information that is provided by social media gives today's teen many opportunities to see their favorite stars and the popular kids around them partying to excess. These glamorized events encourage them to look to alcohol to look good to their peers. Unfortunately, the media even shows the downside as appealing. This can be the rich and famous making repeated trips into rehabilitation centers or skirting the law by paying high level lawyers to get them out of DUI's and other alcohol related offenses.

Teens do not only have to look to popular images to see alcohol consumption on the rise. Many of them are exposed to alcoholism in their own families. When teens see the adults in their lives coping with problems through alcohol addiction, it gives them the impression that this behavior is a normal, acceptable way to handle problems.

When they see the news on the Internet or television, it is often filled with depressing stories about the economy, the environment and politics. Teens are bombarded with images about a world that appears to be losing hope. Instead of looking to a future with dreams of college and a good career, they see a world of despair.

All of these things make teens think that drinking to excess is a simple way to deal with life. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse does not solve their problems. In fact, this attitude only exacerbates the depression and abuse already accepted by society.

The Requirement of Faith in Recovery

If you tell an addict they must have faith in order to recover, many would be deterred or feel a sense of defeat. Perhaps they believe they have no capacity for faith or think that because they have never had a relationship with God, they are disqualified from recovery. This is hardly the case.

There is an undeniable connection between faith and recovery from drug use. Even if you have no religious background or affiliation, you simply cannot get well without a small grain of faith. Even the simple, provisional belief that the Program can work and that you can be relieved of your addiction requires some level of faith. Does it not? You have tried to overcome your addiction on your own and you have failed. Now you must trust that something outside of yourself can save you and help you to find freedom from the bondage of addiction, even if that something is initially your recovery community and the Program. Faith in the God of the Bible may follow, but in order to get started you must simply be willing to acknowledge that your way has not worked, you are powerless over your addiction, and that something outside of yourself can save you. What do you have to lose?

Anyone Can Recover

Anyone can be an addict and anyone can recover. From white collars and cocaine addiction to blue collars swilling cheap vodka, the problem is the same, and thus, the solution is the same. Age, ethnic background, religion or lack thereof, education and socioeconomic status are not determinants of your success in recovery. Instead, what are required are complete and total honesty, a desire to recover and a belief, no matter how small, that God can restore you to sanity and help you to live in sobriety.

Hope Found in Scripture

Many addicts entering recovery have little knowledge of the Bible and even less interest in it. Perhaps they suffered as children at the hands of the Church. Perhaps they witnessed parishioners professing faith and then living in blatant and hurtful sin. Others simply see the Bible as outdated and irrelevant.

But as recovering addicts experience the miracle of sobriety and begin working through their history of resentments, many start to take a new look at God. They cannot deny the evidences of His love and grace in their own lives. Though they have done nothing to deserve it, God has blessed them with sobriety, a fellowship and the opportunity to know Him. They have been given new life. This marvel motivates many in recovery to want to know God better.

As they come to know God, many addicts begin to wonder how the Bible can help with addiction. Does Scripture speak into this struggle? Does the Bible have a relevant message of hope for addicts today?

The answer a resounding yes to both questions. The pages of Scripture are God’s revelation of Himself to His people. In the Bible He gives hope, He demonstrates His love through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ for sinners, and He teaches His people how to live in a difficult and fallen world. This is the message of hope and comfort an addict needs to hear.