Adolescent alcohol abuse is today, a widespread problem: what you can do
Alcohol abuse has traditionally been an adult problem, bringing devastating problems to families. Unfortunate as this might have been, we are now faced with an epidemic of adolescent alcohol abuse. Fully half of our children, from the grade school level through high school, have sampled alcoholic beverages in any given month. This startling statistic must surely grab the attention of every responsible adult.
While illegal drugs are now readily available, even in grade schools, it should not be so shocking that adolescent alcohol abuse is also a widespread problem. Unlike prescription and street drugs, alcohol is legal and readily available in most people’s homes. While you, as a parent, may have a stock of alcoholic beverages in your home bar inventory, you might never imagine that your kids are imbibing.
You certainly must worry about the drug culture going on in every school, but may not realize how far down this reaches, even to the grade school level. By the time your child reaches middle school, you can be sure that they are exposed to alcohol and drugs. Peer pressure plays a big role in fostering a desire to ‘be cool’ and experiment with both alcohol and drugs. Drugs may scare off some kids, but alcohol is a socially sanctioned, legal, ‘recreational’ step into the world of adult privileges.
Kids don’t seem to distinguish between alcohol and drugs, except that drugs are illegal, while alcohol is not. Perhaps this is why adolescent alcohol abuse is on the rise. “My parents drink, so why shouldn’t I try it?” is a common refrain.One thing does lead to another, and in the case of adolescent alcohol abuse, kids can sneak alcohol right from their own home. They don’t realize that their physiological development is not that of an adults and that alcohol affects them differently. They also don’t understand moderation in all things is the best course of action. While you may enjoy an occasional drink with dinner, or be able to enjoy a simple relaxing effect, kids tend to overdo. They are looking for that absolute high. Alcohol provides such a high. Adolescent alcohol abuse is what ensues.
So how can you help your kids distinguish between moderate enjoyment and abuse? If you, as a parent, choose to drink alcohol in moderation, you must prove, by example, the difference. Talk to your kids. When you pour a glass of wine with dinner, confine yourself to a glass or two.
In European households, children are sometimes allowed to have a few sips, on special occasions. They may get that heady feeling, along with a sense that it’s not some forbidden enjoyment, but is tied to the enjoyment of the food. They are not likely to be tempted to indulge outside the home and may not even enjoy it.