Teen Drinking and Parental Intervention

Summer is around the corner and with it comes numerous risks for teens. Perhaps one of the most significant risks is underage drinking; though teen drinking has always been an issue, it increasing exponentially during this period. A report by the U.S Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that more than eleven thousand teens on average use alcohol for their very first time while 5,000 start smoking cigarettes and about 4,500 try marijuana (Carise, 2012, July 11). More idle or leisure time is attributed to this steep increase in the use of drugs by teens. As the director of the administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment reports, "These months include periods when adolescents are on a break from school and have more idle time; they have fewer structured responsibilities and less adult supervision," Therefore, there is need for parents, guardians and adults, in general, to supervise their teen or talk to them about drinking.

First, parents should know that summertime is when their teens have a high likelihood to start smoking, drinking and possibly experimenting with other drugs. Although the summer months are about being free, teens are also at a greater risk. Therefore this is a period when parents need to be very keen on the activities of their teens by monitoring what they do and talking to them about significant social issues such as drugs. Parents need to talk to their children about these risks.

It's important for parents to work with their respective communities in ensuring that preventive drug measures for their children are effective. Bonds between fellow parents, teachers, counselors and law enforcers need to be initiated to aid in communicating potential teen alcohol and drug use. There are several programs other than the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Smart Summer Campaign, which pushes parents to prevent their children from engaging in drug use by setting boundaries, monitoring activities and encouraging them to be involved in the lives of their children (Bradford Health Service, n.d). Additionally, the media and law enforcement can play a crucial role in helping teens to live a drug-free life through campaigns and public announcements. These campaigns and programs should aim at highlighting the negative side of engaging in drugs and the positive side of remaining drug-free (Reinberg, 2012, July 3). The negative implications include loss of interest in hobbies, social problems, and academic failure. The more parents are aware of this information, the more knowledgeable he or she will be when it comes to talking to their teen(s).

A good idea for Parents would be to work with their teen(s) to plan their time, and this may include having a structured activity each day. These activities may range from sports, arts, music lessons, or any other productive activity that will keep them occupied and not idle. Remember an idle mind is what prompts teens to experience new things which might end up messing their lives.

Parents are encouraged to initiate free talks with their teens. Bruce Goldman, the director of substance abuse services at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y says that parents need to have an open dialogue with their children regarding whatever activities that participate in and about alcohol and drugs (Carise, 2012, July 11). Parents ought to be on the look-out to help and help to delay as much as possible adolescents’ experimentation with alcohol and drugs. Teens who start drinking alcohol before the age of 15 years are 6 times more likely to develop a chemical dependency, than their non-drinking peers or those that started at age 21.

While working with their teen(s) and offering them some freedom, always maintain limits. Don’t just allow teens to sit in front of the television all day while you are at work. As much as parents will need to be part of the activities that their children undertake during the summer months, there are lots of opportunities and activities that will require the teens to be on their own. While this is an effective choice, it is imperative for parents to make sure that their teens are being honest and doing what they say they are doing, of course after approval of their parents. This can be made possible when parents: (a) make sure their son or daughter is where they say they are going to be and with the people they have mentioned they will be; (b) follow-up on the assigned tasks (c) maintain strict but sensible curfews at night; (d) ensure that entertainment choices are appropriate in that they are not too extreme or very limited, these forms of entertainment should also be safe (Bradford Health Service, n.d).

Parents should also watch for signs of alcohol abuse. Parents cannot be present in the lives of their children from January to January but can still be able to help their children from being recruited in drugs by being vigilant on any changes and also identifying signs of substance abuse early enough. These signs include changes in sleeping as well as eating patterns; over-reacting on issues especially during conversations; moods swings or anger outbursts; increased secrecy; odd smells or stains on their cloths; constant physical illness particularly vomiting or headaches or other hangover indications; and immediate changes in friends or interests or activities (Reinberg, 2012, July 3).

In conclusion, when it comes to drugs or other social issues, parents are the first line of defense. Believe it or not, your teen listens to you and your teen also mimics your behavior. Being well informed that children are more likely to engage in drugs during the summer period than any other time puts moms and dads on the test of ensuring that their children do not get involved in it. There are many ways through which parents can ensure that their teens are drug-free and this ranges from being vigilant to being loving. The earlier these strategies are adopted, the higher the chances of raising a child who will not become dependent on drugs or alcohol.

If you believe that your son or daughter needs to talk to someone please call PEER Services in Evanston at 847-492-1778 and speak to a member of adolescent team.

References

Carise, D. (2012, July 11) “Summertime: When the Living May Be Too Easy for Teens.” Phoenix House. http://www.phoenixhouse.org/news-and-views/our-perspectives/summertime-when-the-living-may-be-too-easy-for-teens/

Infographic: Teen Summer Alcohol and Drug Use. Bradford Health Service. http://bradfordhealth.com/infographic-teen-summer-alcohol-drug-use/

Reinberg, S. (2012, July 3) “Summer is Peak Time for Teens To Try Drugs, Alcohol: Report.” U.S.News. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/03/summer-is-peak-time-for-teens-to-try-drugs-alcohol-report

Underage Drinking at All-Time High During Summer Months. Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services. Retrieved from http://www.muirwoodteen.com/underage-drinking-summer/