For years now, the worry that our teenagers are drinking or are in positions to start drinking has plagued parents. Peer pressure is tremendous for these kids. Three out of four high school students say that they have had alcohol in some form prior to graduation. The best thing to do if you have high school-aged kids is to understand that your kids WILL drink at parties. These kids are industrious and clever when we DON”T want them to be. They WILL find a way to get their hands beer or liquor. Accept the fact that they are more likely than not to be drinking, educate yourself about the effects of drinking, especially on teenagers, and then try to educate your kids.
1. Of course the most significant effect of teenagers drinking is the danger of becoming alcohol dependent as an adult. Studies have shown that teens that use alcohol before they are 15 are four times more likely to become addicted to alcohol than someone who doesn’t start drinking until they are 21.
2. Forty percent of alcohol-related fatalities form car wrecks involve teens. Drinking and driving is a very serious issue with teenagers who don’t have the experience to even realize that they are too drunk to drive.
3. We all know that enough alcohol can reduce inhibitions, making teens susceptible to taking risks that they normally would not. With their judgment impairment, there is very likely going to be some unacceptable behavior.
4. Many people believe that using alcohol encourages teenagers to move onto more serious drugs and maybe even teenagers drug abuse. If they have been drinking for some time without any unusual incidents, they may decide, “Alcohol is no big deal, I might as well try something else”. Teenage drug and alcohol abuse go hand in hand.
5. Regular alcohol use is sure to effect performance at school. It can cause issues with concentration in school and at home while doing homework. Their relationships with teachers and even their friends at school can be adversely affected by their alcohol use.
6. There are many health problems associated with drinking: stomach ulcers, heart and liver problems, and malnutrition. These things take a long time to develop, but the teen needs to know that if he or she becomes dependent and continues heavy drinking into adulthood, these things can happen.
7. More and more research is showing that alcohol can cause harm to the young, developing brain of a teenager.
You have to understand that it only starts with drinking. If you were to look at the teenage drug abuse statistics you would see that the alcohol will most certainly move to bigger things such as teenage prescription drug abuse and other serious drug problems.
Have a supportive talk with your teenager and present to them, with plenty of evidence to back you up, the risks they are taking when they start drinking too young. Also, remember that as a parent, you are the best influence your teenager can have.
