Underage Drinking and Teen Alcohol Use

For more than 30 years the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has been leading the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking. While rates have declined, alcohol consumption among youth under the legal drinking age remains a concern. For example, underage drinking in Europe, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/teenage-alcoholism-dangers-of-underage-drinking/ where consuming wine and other alcoholic beverages is permitted at younger ages than in the U.S. and assumed to be more ingrained in the culture, is just as dangerous as it is in the U.S. In fact, rates of binge drinking and alcohol misuse problems in youth are higher than rates in the U.S.

• An important area of alcohol research
  is focusing on how expectancy influences drinking patterns from childhood through
  adolescence and into young adulthood (11–14).
• They may also copy your own drinking habits to establish their maturity.
• All parents want to trust their kids, but you can help them make good choices by eliminating temptation.
• Encouraging healthy interests and activities can help to boost their self-esteem and build resilience, qualities that make teens less likely to develop problems with alcohol.

Some young people can quit drinking without any help from a doctor or other adult. However, most adolescents don’t have the developmental maturity or coping skills to stop using alcohol independently and require structured support. It is important to remember that alcohol abuse isn’t incompatible with being a “good kid” or even an overachieving star.

TREATMENT: AN UNMET NEED

If your child normally performs at a particular academic level and has recently been doing poorly in school, this could be an indication of a bigger problem. It may not always be a case of drug abuse, but it certainly requires further evaluation and investigation. If teenagers’ academic performances decline, those slips could continue if there is no proper intervention. Some people claim that genetics plays a large role in the addiction of teenagers. This theory states that some people have certain genes that may predispose them to substance abuse. Teenagers born to families who have members struggling with substance abuse are more likely to become addicts themselves.

Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of having been caught using alcohol. It’s important to remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your fears come from a place of love. Your child needs to feel you are supportive and that they can confide in you. Allow your teen to talk and open up about their thoughts and opinions, and try to listen without being critical, disapproving, or judgmental. They want to feel heard and understood, so even when you don’t like or agree with what they’re saying, it’s important to withhold blame and criticism.

Underage Drinking and Teen Alcohol Use

In a study of 3rd, 6th, and 9th
graders, those who found alcohol ads desirable were more likely to view drinking
positively and to want to purchase products with alcohol logos (46). Research
is mixed, however, on whether these positive views of alcohol actually lead to
underage drinking. Parents over 21 can absolutely have a drink, and don’t have to hide it. Additionally, responsible behavior about alcohol can actually set a good example for children. So, when young adults turn 21 and can legally choose to have a drink, they know what responsible behavior looks like.

Remember that as a parent, your child is much more likely to mimic your actions than listen to your words. No matter how much you preach about the dangers of underage drinking, if you reach for a drink to unwind at the end of a stressful day, your teen may be tempted to follow your example. If you’re worried about your child’s alcohol use, you may want to make changes to your own drinking habits as well. If you’ve discovered your child or teen is drinking alcohol, it’s normal to feel upset, angry, and worried.

The Science Behind the Effects of Alcohol on the Adolescent Brain

Since then, alcohol-related
crashes have risen 12 percent among 18- to 19-year-olds and 14 percent among 15-
to 17-year-olds (62). Clearly a higher minimum drinking age can help to reduce
crashes and save lives, especially in very young drivers. Moreover, much
of the treatment available today does not address the specific needs of adolescents
(2). For example, most young people prefer easy access to treatment, with strategies
tailored to their age group (3), and treatments that do not remove them from their
home or academic settings (2). Youth perceive traditional services (e.g., alcoholism
treatment programs, Alcoholics Anonymous) as less helpful than brief interventions
tailored to their concerns (4).