5 Tips on Talking to Your Kids about Underage Drinking

With so many other drugs and pressures swarming around our youth, parents often make the mistake of neglecting the topic of underage drinking when talking to their kids – and boy is it a topic that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Kids are now known to start experimenting with alcohol before even reaching their teenage years, so it is important to be proactive in talking to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking and the long-term effects that alcohol can have on our youth.

Start Early
When it comes to talking to your kids about underage drinking, it is important to beat the peer pressure to the punch.

»     The pressures of experimenting with alcohol and other drugs is happening at a much younger age nowadays. Approximately 10% of kids admit to using alcohol by the age of 12, and that number doubles by the age of 13.Kids these days, right?

»     Though teenagers don’t always act like it, they do look to their parents and other adults for guidance, and though it may not seem like it at times, when you talk, they listen.

»     Start talking to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking at young age so that they will be prepared for the inevitable pressures that they will encounter.

Saying Nothing Can Be Saying A Lot

Conversations with your teenager about topics such as underage drinking can surely be challenging, but that is no excuse to put it off. Saying nothing to your child about underage drinking can prove to be far more dangerous than saying the wrong thing.

»     Some parents mistakenly believe that their child isn’t susceptible to giving in to the pressures of underage drinking – wrong!

»     Parents often think that they know their child, they know who their child is hanging out with, or they think that their child tells them everything, therefore they know that their child isn’t experimenting with alcohol, so why bring it up? No one’s child is above being subjected to the peer pressures of underage drinking – prepare your child for the worst, even if their behavior is the best.

»     By saying nothing, you can be saying “drinking isn’t as big of a deal as other drugs that I’ve warned you about.” This is a dangerous message.

Use the Organic Approach

Speaking of how difficult these conversations with our kids can be – what’s the best way to bring it up? When possible, it can be best to bring these topics up in a casual environment such as during dinner or on a road trip.

»     When you let the conversation happen in an organic way, the relaxed environment will allow your child to feel more comfortable opening up.

»     For example, you could bring up something that happened in the news involving underage drinking, and then say, “That’s scary. Are there any kids at your school getting involved with alcohol already?”

Avoid the Scare Tactic

It can be difficult to keep a good balance between creating an open and casual environment for your child to open up, setting clear boundaries and expectations for them, and showing them who is boss. The one thing that you don’t want to do is try and scare your child into avoiding alcohol.

»     This tactic can cause your child to rebel against you as well as scare them away from coming to you for help in dangerous situations involving alcohol. 

»     Teenagers make mistakes and they can get themselves into some dangerous situations – it is important for your child to know that they can come to you for help and talk to you about what they are experiencing. Don’t scare them away.

»     Set limitations and expectations for your child in regards to underage drinking, but let them know you are there to support them when bad situations arise.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

If you are going to drink openly in front of your kids, do it responsibly. Your children will learn more from your own actions than from what you say to them. Be a good role model and don’t let them learn bad drinking habits in their own home.

The mission of the Walton County Prevention Coalition is to help to prevent substance abuse in our youth by developing an anti-drug coalition. Underage drinking is just one of the many pressures facing our youth and it isn’t one to be taken lightly. Start talking to your kids today about the dangers of underage drinking and the negative effects that alcohol abuse can have on their future.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: How to Know If Your Kid is Using Drugs or Alcohol

It’s the moment that all parents dread when their children reach their adolescent years – the moment that they start to wonder, “Is my child using drugs or alcohol?” Maybe you are noticing signs of a sudden change of attitude or a decline in your child’s grades at school – whatever the reason, substance abuse is a common cause of worry among parents of adolescents. It is important to know the warning signs and to create an open dialogue with your children when you notice strange behavior.

Warning Signs of Teenage Substance Abuse

1.       Sudden Change in Behavior or Attitude

I know what you are thinking – They are teenagers. Of course they have sudden changes in attitude. Fair enough, but this is one of those warning signs that can be brushed off by parents for that very reason. Pay close attention to your child’s behavior and talk to them when you notice these changes. Maybe it’s just a typical teenage mood swing, but there could easily be a larger issue at hand.

2.       Decline in School Performance

Did your child go from being an honor roll student to barely skating by in their classes? This is a sign that your teenager is struggling with something – maybe it is substance abuse, or maybe it is another issue such as depression. Pay attention and always let your child know that you are there for support.

·         Another thing to pay attention to is your child’s attendance in school. Are there school absences that you were unaware of? This is a definite sign of troubled behavior.

3.       Withdrawal

If your child becomes withdrawn from interaction with you while at home and starts to react in a negative manner to your attempts at interaction, this could be a warning sign of substance abuse, depression, or a dangerous combination of both.

·         When teenagers become involved with alcohol or drugs, it can cause them to withdraw from their parents out of fear that they will know what they are up to.

·         Withdrawal can also be a result of substance abuse induced depression or the ‘I don’t care’ mindset that the use of drugs and alcohol in teenagers can cause.

4.       New Friends and/or Decreased Interaction with Usual Friends

Of course, there is nothing wrong with your teenager making new friends and it is totally normal for some friendships to fade out. However, if you notice that your teenager’s usual friends aren’t coming around anymore and you’ve yet to meet any of your child’s new friends, you may want to dig a little bit deeper into seeing who your child is spending their time with. Your child’s circle of friends is a huge influence to their adolescent years.

5.       Severe Weight Loss or Weight Gain

There are certain drugs that can cause rapid weight loss and certain drugs that can cause weight gain due to the effects that these drugs have on your appetite. Any dramatic fluctuation in your teenager’s weight should not be taken lightly. However, all drugs effect people differently so just because your teenager isn’t experiencing drastic fluctuations in their weight, doesn’t mean they aren’t using.

6.       Missing Items around the House

No parent ever wants to suspect their child of stealing, but if you are noticing any of the above warning signs and things are starting to come up missing around the house, your child could be in serious trouble. Items that may come up missing could include –

·         Money from your purse or wallet

·         Prescription medications

·         Expensive items such as jewelry

7.       Strange Behavior When They Come Home at Night

When your teenager comes in from a night out with their friends, do you notice any of these behaviors?

·         Hat pulled down to cover their eyes; lack of eye contact

·         Excessive use of chewing gum or cologne/perfume

·         Avoiding interaction/going straight to their room and shutting the door

These could all be warning signs that your teenager may be abusing drugs or alcohol. Talk to your kids on a regular basis about the dangers of substance abuse and keep them educated about all of the harmful effects.

The Walton County Prevention Coalition is dedicated to educating parents and adolescents about the importance of preventing substance abuse in our youth. Knowing the warning signs and paying close attention to the behavior of teenagers is one of the most important factors in preventing the use of drugs and alcohol in teens. What are you doing to educate your children?