Pediatricians should screen their patients for alcohol use, recommends American Academy of Pediatrics

New Delhi, June 25, 2019 :

healthysoch : In an updated policy statement “Alcohol Use by Youth”, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has urged parents to talk with their teens about the risks of alcohol and set firm rules against its use.

The statement is published in the July issue of Pediatrics (published online June 24). An accompanying technical report outlines the evidence for AAP recommendations and states that alcohol remains the most common substance used by teens.

“The teen years are a critical time for brain growth, when connections responsible for emotional regulation, planning and organization are being formed and fine-tuned,” said Joanna Quigley, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement. “Alcohol paves a pathway for addiction when the brain is still maturing, affecting the area that governs decision-making. As parents, we don’t want to downplay those risks, but keep the conversations open and model healthy habits.”

“Binge drinking is especially dangerous and is known to lead to other risky behaviors, such as drinking and driving,” said Sheryl Ryan, MD, FAAP, who chairs the AAP Committee on Substance Use and Prevention and is lead author of the technical report. “Pediatricians should screen their patients for alcohol use and help them understand the impact on the brain and behaviors.”

The AAP recommends that pediatricians screen for alcohol use and provide education to teens and their families about hazards, consequences and potential interventions.

Other recommendations include:

• Send a clear message against the use of alcohol under age 21.
• Support existing state laws for a minimum purchase age of 21 for alcohol and advocate for taxes on alcohol products.
• Support strengthening graduated driver licensing programs… The laws indirectly affect drinking and driving by restricting nighttime driving and the transportation of younger passengers.
• Advocate for more research on the impact of alcohol use on the developing brain.
• Support the role of schools in screening for underage alcohol use and providing general health education and community programs.
• Ban the sale and distribution of powdered alcohol.