As a father, I wasn’t sure how to talk with my teen about drinking and the related responsibilities that come with alcohol consumption. However, I read up on some studies that show that having these conversations before my child started college might reduce his alcohol consumption when he goes to school. If he or she is drinking heavily now, they might cut down their drinking behavior. If he or she is a light drinker now, they might continue that pattern. Research included 1,900 students; when parents discussed drinking with them before college, these young people were 20 times more likely to engage in healthy drinking patterns.

Why Young People Drink

One of the topics I addressed was why some teens decide to drink but others don’t. Reasons for teen drinking might include:

  • Family difficulties, such as a divorce
  • Transitioning to a new school
  • Moving
  • Loss of a significant relationship
  • Past childhood abuse or trauma
  • Mental health issues
  • Academic challenges and
  • Friendships with young people who drink

Dangers of Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Teens also struggle to grasp the consequences of their actions. Clearly spelling these out can help raise awareness of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Underage drinking can lead to very serious consequences including injuries or even death caused by accidents in a car or even at home around the pool. Drownings are common in households that are not taking the correct safety measures around their pool and the risks increase if there is drug consumption resulting in the need for a Drowning Accident Attorney for something that could have been avoided.

  • Academic struggles – Young people who drink generally have more behavioral and school problems than those who do not.
  • Driving and other accidents –These include drownings, assault, sexual abuse, suicide and even murder.
  • Increased risk of alcoholism – Teens who drink might struggle with alcohol addiction and they might end up needing to be in a Male Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program.
  • Violence – Adolescents who drink risk being hurt via violence.
  • Sexual promiscuity – Young people who drink usually become sexually active at younger ages and have unprotected sex more frequently. They also have sex more often than their peers who do not drink.

What to Say During the Talk

I wasn’t exactly sure what to say when I first talked with my kids about underage drinking. I finally decided to choose a time when both of us were calm. I knew that I couldn’t cover everything but hoped that our initial conversation was just the first of many. First, I asked what they thought about alcohol and drinking. Then, I addressed some of the common myths related to drinking, such as the fact that drinking makes people happier. I explained that it’s actually a depressant that reduces inhibitions, sometimes resulting in sadness and anger.

I calmly answered questions and offered my support of my child, including the promise to pick him or her up if he was with someone who had been drinking and did not have another ride home. I also talked about self-respect and the risks of drinking. I then addressed options to drinking, which might be as simple as asking for a soda or just saying, “No, thanks.”

I pay attention to my children’s activities and know their friends. They often come to my house, where they are supervised. I also set rules and clear expectations when it comes to drinking. They know the consequences if they drink. I also model appropriate behavior when it comes to alcohol consumption.

Some teens will struggle more than others when it comes to making responsible choices either because of the influence in their home lives, emotional disorders, behavioral challenges, or whatever it may be. But there are always resources available to help parents and teens overcome life’s challenges together.

Tyler enjoys going to the mountains near his home in Draper, Utah to connect with his wife and children through camping, hiking, and quality time together. When he isn’t rebooting in the outdoors, he shares his fatherly experiences with the world through writing and creative designs. Tyler shares the ups and downs of family life and the solutions he’s found through lengthy research and involvement in the industry and his own experiences to help parents everywhere. Follow Tyler on: Twitter | LinkedIn