According to the Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior
Survey, conducted in 1999, more than half of Wisconsin teenagers report having
their first alcoholic drink before they reach the age of 15 years (and 30%
before they reach the age of 13!). Nationally, over 50% of teenagers report that
they have used alcohol by the time they reached the eighth grade. Research
indicates that teenagers who use drugs often begin to use drugs by 12 or 13
years of age.
Why should these facts concern us? First,
research shows, fairly convincingly, that the earlier a youngster begins using
alcohol in his or her life the greater are the chances that that youngster will
develop substance abuse problems as an adult. Children who start drinking before
they turn 15 are five times more likely to be alcohol dependent as adults than
those who don’t drink or begin drinking later. Kids who begin drinking early
are seven times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident and 12
times more likely to be injured in an accident than others. Research also
indicates that the risk for marijuana use is 65 times higher for people who have
used alcohol or cigarettes than it is for people who have never used alcohol or
cigarettes.
Recent research also suggests that alcohol
affects adolescents differently than it does adults. For example, adolescents
can suffer memory and learning impairment from as little as one drink, in a way
that adults do not. Adolescents develop more rapid tolerance to alcohol than do
adults (which may lead to increased use to achieve the same effect) and
adolescents experience less sedation from alcohol than do adults (meaning that
they can drink more than adults before falling asleep). Other research has shown
that the human brain continues to develop into early adulthood and that heavy
drinking by teenagers may inhibit normal brain development and cause lasting
cognitive difficulties. Alcohol-dependant adolescents, for example, have shown
difficulties with impaired memory, altered perceptions of spatial relationships
and verbal skill deficits.
Clearly, there are many reasons why parents may
wish to discourage their teenagers from using alcohol. What can the concerned
parent do? In the next few paragraphs I would like to touch briefly on five
specific recommendations.
First, lead by your example. Alcohol use
is pervasive our society, and it is glorified. The media, and many adults by
their example, portray alcohol use as an extremely attractive activity. For many
adults, alcohol use is at the center of their social lives and a significant
part of their recreational activity. Why wouldn’t a teenager be tempted to use
alcohol? The parent who hopes to discourage his or her teenager’s use of
alcohol needs to set another example. A parent’s example is very powerful. A
parent who uses alcohol frequently or abusively sets an extremely poor example
and communicates unspoken messages that are much more potent than anything the
parent might say about the hazards of substance use. There is also the issue of
credibility: the parent who “preaches” one thing and “practices” another
has no credibility with his or her teenager. If a parent chooses to use alcohol,
it is probably best for the parent to make every effort to set the best possible
example of restraint: it is probably best to use alcohol infrequently and never
more than one or two drinks per occasion. It should be a limited part of one’s
lifestyle. Further, it is probably best that parents avoid involving their
children in their drinking (asking them to mix or serve drinks, for example).
Finally, an adolescent should never see his or her parent in a state of
intoxication.
Second, stay involved, informed and engaged.
Effective parents are parents who are able to communicate with their children
(and whose children are able to communicate with them), who have maintained a
warm and trusting relationship with their children, who are informed about their
children’s activities and who are involved in their children’s lives. The
process of becoming an engaged and involved parent begins at an early age and is
an ongoing process. It is unreasonable to think that teenagers will be receptive
to their parents’ concerns if the parent has previously failed to achieve any
rapport with the child. Teenagers are more motivated to please (or to avoid
displeasing) a parent with whom they have a good relationship. It is also
important for the parent to be as fully informed as he or she can be about the
child’s activities, social involvements, feelings, and motivations.
Third, share yourself. It is important
for parents to communicate their standards, expectations, and values to their
children. Teenagers will not always be receptive to all that a parent might have
to offer in this respect but it remains important, nonetheless, for the parent
to communicate, in a non-critical (and non-lecturing) way, what they believe and
why they believe the way they do. Parents should not be hesitant to send a clear
message that teenage substance use is risky behavior. Also, it is important for
parents to share with their children what they know about such practical matters
as peer pressure and how to deal with it. It is important for parents to begin
discussions about alcohol and drug use long before the child reaches
adolescence. Instead of taking a “one-time-big-talk” approach, look for
opportunities in everyday conversation to discuss issues such as substance use
with your children. As children grow older, they may be less willing to take
direction from a parent but an effective parent can always hope to remain a
trusted “consultant” to their less experienced teenager.
Fourth, supervise and set limits. It is
important for parents to establish appropriate limitations on their teenager’s
behavior and to impose appropriate restrictions. Parents should not be shy about
imposing restrictions such as total abstinence from alcohol use. Just as
important is effective parental supervision. One of the surest avenues to
trouble of any sort for any child is lack of parental supervision. The child or
adolescent who wanders for long periods of time without appropriate adult
supervision is at significant risk for incidents of poor judgment and
inappropriate behavior. It is very important for parents to have a clear idea of
their teenagers’ activities and whereabouts at all times; parents should know
and approve of where their teenager are going, what they will be doing and who
will be with them.
Finally, encourage involvement in positive
activities. It may sound simplistic, but it makes a difference: the more
children are involved in activities that they enjoy, that give them a sense of
purpose, belonging, mastery and importance, (and the busier they are with
“productive” activities such as school, church, community or family
activities, athletics and theater and arts) the less interested they will be in
substance use (and the less time they’ll have for it!).
To some, these recommendations may appear
old-fashioned. It does seem that our society has become increasingly tolerant
and accepting of inappropriate behavior, behavior for which the maturing
adolescent is not developmentally ready. It may be tempting for parents to
become passive and to simply let their teenager “go along with the crowd.”
The responsible parent is willing to set appropriate standards, to provide an
appropriate example, to provide appropriate guidance and direction, to serve as
an understanding consultant, and to provide appropriate limitations and
supervision.
Pauquette
