Alcohol misuse/abuse among adolescents: risk perception and protection from addiction

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objective was to understand the perception that adolescents with alcohol misuse and abuse behaviors have of risks and protection from addiction. This descriptive, exploratory, quanti-qualitative study was performed with 280 adolescents who answered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and a semi-structured interview with 22 individuals identified as harmful and abusive consumers. Results indicated a conflicting adolescence in the family environment, associated to the father’s absence or being raised by stepparents, desire for autonomy and liberty to make their own decisions. The experience with alcohol was mainly within the family environment, consuming among friends for fun, which was facilitated by the access that adolescents have to buying liquor. It was identified that the care and closeness of parents as well as the adolescents’ self-control protected against alcohol consumption. Health teams should identify risk factors for addiction and involve adolescents and families in control and protection actions against consumption.

Descriptors: Adolescent; Risk; Substance-Related Disorders; Alcoholism; Public Health Nursing.