Teenagers Drinking

Do You Have Teenagers Drinking Alcohol in Your Home?

Some parents believe that it's better for teens to drink alcohol than to take illegal drugs.

Two points to consider on this are:

• The safe amount of alcohol for a teenager is zero.
• More deaths or injuries are caused annually by alcohol than any other drug.

Please understand that this article isn't anti-alcohol and "let's bring back prohibition".

What Can Parents Do About Teenagers Drinking?

Be a Good Role Model

If you don’t drink you may think that setting this example alone will be enough.

• Quite naturally, your teen will still be curious.
• Talk to them about why you don’t drink; let them see people drinking at parties or a restaurant; talk about who looks to be drinking safely and enjoying it, and who is drinking too much and acting in a ridiculous or unsafe way.
• No need to lecture or be self righteous, or to condense it all into one big lesson. Just make mention whenever an opportunity comes up.

If you do drink, you have a good opportunity to influence your teen directly by consistently:

• Drinking in moderation.
• Not drinking every time you need to relax after work, or watch sport on TV, or socialize.
• Never drive when you have had more than the legal amount.

Teach Your Teenager to be Responsible About Alcohol

So even on a best case scenario, the chances are that your teen will drink on at least one occasion.

Teaching them about alcohol isn’t giving them permission to go ahead, it will help them to avoid alcohol or at least be safe.

• Be a good example of a responsible drinker.
• Talk about alcohol (and drugs and tobacco) with your child from a young age.
• Talk about the bad bits (something advertisers conveniently forget to do). Make sure they know that drunken people often vomit and/or lose control of their bladder and bowels. Describe a hangover: violent head spins, blackouts, crushing headaches, aching body, aversion to light and sound, and basically feeling really sick.
• Talk about the fact that people often do incredibly stupid or embarrassing things and can’t even remember it the next day.
• Talk about how easy it is to agree to dangerous behavior like unprotected sex or crime when you are drunk.
• Talk about pacing their drinking by switching to water or soft drinks as soon as they start to feel drunk, or at least alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Advise them never to drink on an empty stomach and to keep drinking water.
• Suggest that teenagers drinking with friends look out for each other and keep each other safe.
• Agree with your teen that if they do find they have been drinking alcohol and feel drunk, or want to get away from friends who are drunk, that it is ok for them to call you to come and pick them up.

Teenagers Drinking May Be Illegal

In the UK it is legal from the age of 16 to drink alcohol in a licensed venue, providing it is with a meal and purchased by an adult. It is not legal to buy alcohol until the age of 18.

In Australia and New Zealand you must be 18 years of age to either buy or drink alcohol outside of your own home. However, is not illegal for a minor to drink alcohol in their own home.

So check your local laws and regulations. You may still think its ok for your teenager to drink at home, but just be aware that, besides risking their health, you may be breaking the law.

Enjoying wine and beer with friends, having a cocktail after work or toasting the New Year with champagne are sociable experiences your teenager will probably take part in as they become an adult.

Guide your teenagers drinking now and help them to live a healthy life for their whole life.

Teenage Binge Drinking

And what is long term effect of teenagers drinking alcohol?

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Why Do Teenagers Take Drugs?

You can help them make better choices for themselves if you know what you are up against.

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Talking to Teens

With our greater wisdom and experience it's easy to jump in and give advice or a lecture.

Communication between you and your teenager is of enormous importance. Take the time to get it right.

Read more here...