Atlanta, GA - Renee started smoking when she was eight years old.

“For a while I kind of smoked cigarettes to run away from my problems,” she says,

But her dependency quickly led to other addictions - alcohol, pot, methamphetamine, cocaine. “There’s some people that can actually do that - just experiment once in their whole life and never do drugs again,” she says, “but it wasn’t like that for me. I started and couldn’t stop.”

According to a recent survey Renee is not alone. She’s among the millions of girls who suffer from what used to be thought of as a male problem - drug abuse and addiction.

“We used to believe that boys were more likely to use than girls - and that there were more boys out there using than girls,” explains licensed professional counselor Heather Hayes. “And what this study has shown is that the numbers are the same now.”

And, Hayes says, women may be more affected by addictive substances than men. “Some of the findings have found that every time a man has a drink and a women has the same amount, it’s almost double [the] impact for her - because of body fat, because she doesn’t hold as much water,” explains Hayes.

Experts say physical, along with hormonal and emotional stress - especially during adolescence - can lead girls into a cycle of drug addiction.

“Take a teenage girl who’s going through puberty and is feeling awkward, their bodies are changing,” says Hayes. “They don’t really know how to interact with boys, but boys are becoming more important - and you pour drugs on top of that; you may get immediate relief, but then what happens afterwards makes it worse.”

Which is why, she says, it’s crucial to have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs. And - more importantly - to teach your daughters to love themselves: “Teach them self-respect, teach them self-care, teach them how to nurture their self-esteem.”

All the things that Renee is now learning, in therapy. “I’m taking care of myself,” she says, “and I’m doing something for myself that I know I deserve.”
Tips for Parents

Research shows that adolescents may be more vulnerable to brain damage from excessive drinking than older drinkers. Alcohol impairs brain activity in the receptors responsible for memory and learning, and young people who binge drink could be facing serious brain damage today and increased memory loss in years to come. If one begins drinking at an early age, he/she is more likely to face alcohol addiction. Consider the following …

* Imaging studies have revealed a connection between heavy drinking and physical brain damage.
* Neither chronic liver disease nor alcohol-induced dementia, the most common symptoms of severe alcoholism, need be present for alcohol-induced, physical brain damage to occur.
* Alcohol-induced brain damage usually includes extensive shrinkage in the cortex of the frontal lobe, which is the site of higher intellectual functions.
* Shrinkage has also been observed in deeper brain regions, including the cerebellum, which helps regulate coordination and balance, and brain structures associated with memory.
* Alcohol abstinence has shown positive results. Even three to four weeks without alcohol can reverse effects on memory loss and problem-solving skills.

Adolescents have a better chance of recovery because they have greater powers of recuperation. If you suspect your child has alcohol-related brain damage, it is imperative to have him or her assessed by a medical doctor or psychologist. Treatment depends on the individual and the type of brain damage sustained. People with impaired brain function can be helped. Often it is necessary to reduce the demands placed on the patient. Also, a predictable routine covering all daily activities can help. Consider the following points when easing your child’s routine …

* Simplify information. Present one idea at a time.
* Tackle one problem at a time.
* Allow your child to progress at his or her own pace.
* Minimize distractions.
* Avoid stressful situations.
* Structure a schedule with frequent breaks and rest periods.
* Consider joining an alcoholism support group.

References

* Alcoholism Home Page
* Better Health Channel
* National Center for Health Statistics
* National Youth Violence Prevention Center
* Psychological Assessment Research and Treatment Services
* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration

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