Page 145 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 145
Alcohol, and children and adolescents
Mirjana Radovanović1, Barbara Lovrečič2, Mercedes Lovrečič2
1 University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Unit for Treating Alcohol Addiction, Poljanski nasip 58,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Alcohol abuse has been one of the biggest public health problems in the
world in the last 40 years. Slovenia has a ”wet culture” where alcohol use
is a significant component of (every) important life event. Childhood
and adolescence are the most vulnerable periods for alcohol-related
acute and long-term effects. The main target organ is the brain and the
rest of the central nervous system and other organs also suffer from
toxic effects of alcohol. Exposure to alcohol during childhood and
adolescence increases the risk for addiction and other mental health
disorders later in life. According to the Slovenian National Institute for
Public Health data from the period between 2011 and 2015, roughly one
half of hospitalizations for intoxication in adolescents aged 15–19 were
due to alcohol (no gender differences) and about one third in children
aged 10–14 (more boys). Medical doctors and other health professionals
are responsible for creating safe and trustworthy atmosphere during
the patients’ visit, in which honest conversation is supported while
preserving patients’ dignity. To motivate the parents is extremely
important when working with children and adolescents. A motivational
interview helps to gain relevant history and results in a personalized
treatment plan within treatment programme opportunities.
Key words: alcohol, children, adolescents, epidemiology, clinical work
Initial remark
The contribution contains an overview of important facts and challenges nec-
essary for the understanding of the problems connected with alcohol con-
sumption in children and adolescents. Special attention is paid to two levels:
public health and individual or clinical levels.
An in-depth overview of current scientific knowledge is beyond the scope
of this contribution.
Mirjana Radovanović1, Barbara Lovrečič2, Mercedes Lovrečič2
1 University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Unit for Treating Alcohol Addiction, Poljanski nasip 58,
Ljubljana, Slovenia
2 National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Alcohol abuse has been one of the biggest public health problems in the
world in the last 40 years. Slovenia has a ”wet culture” where alcohol use
is a significant component of (every) important life event. Childhood
and adolescence are the most vulnerable periods for alcohol-related
acute and long-term effects. The main target organ is the brain and the
rest of the central nervous system and other organs also suffer from
toxic effects of alcohol. Exposure to alcohol during childhood and
adolescence increases the risk for addiction and other mental health
disorders later in life. According to the Slovenian National Institute for
Public Health data from the period between 2011 and 2015, roughly one
half of hospitalizations for intoxication in adolescents aged 15–19 were
due to alcohol (no gender differences) and about one third in children
aged 10–14 (more boys). Medical doctors and other health professionals
are responsible for creating safe and trustworthy atmosphere during
the patients’ visit, in which honest conversation is supported while
preserving patients’ dignity. To motivate the parents is extremely
important when working with children and adolescents. A motivational
interview helps to gain relevant history and results in a personalized
treatment plan within treatment programme opportunities.
Key words: alcohol, children, adolescents, epidemiology, clinical work
Initial remark
The contribution contains an overview of important facts and challenges nec-
essary for the understanding of the problems connected with alcohol con-
sumption in children and adolescents. Special attention is paid to two levels:
public health and individual or clinical levels.
An in-depth overview of current scientific knowledge is beyond the scope
of this contribution.
