Alcohol: What’s a Parent to Believe? Stephen G. Biddulph HAZELDEN® Alcohol This page intentionally left blank 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 This page intentionally left blank 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 1