Teenagers and Alcohol

Parents exert significant influence on whether their kids choose to drink, smoke, or use illegal drugs.  The earlier parents talk to their kids about these social problems, the more effective they will be.  The number one reason teens give for not using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is that they do not want to disappoint their parents.
Parents also underestimate how much alco­hol their teens drink.  It is estimated that 20 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States is drunk by minors—and 20 percent of them began drinking before the age of 13! Approximately 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year in the United States,mostly in teens and every week one person dies solely from alcohol poisoning.  Whereas vomiting is the most common (and usually the first) sign of alcohol poisoning, there are other signs.  Some of them are confusion; slurred speech; inability to make eye contact or sustain a conversation; seizures; unconsciousness (passing out); slow, shallow, or irregular breathing; and seizures.  People suspected of having alcohol poisoning should be taken to a hospital emergency room.
Because parents are so influential in teens drinking behavior, parents should take a minute to reflect on the following:
What is my behavior in regards to the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs?  How much do I drink?  Do I drink alone?  When do I drink?  Why do I drink?  Do I need to have a drink to calm down or relax?  Do my kids think I do?  Have my kids ever seen me drink too much?  Do I brag about the drinking I did in college or high school?  Does my drinking and telling my kids not to drink send them mixed messages?  Why is it okay for adults to drink, but not kids? Or is that not OK? Have I talked with them about this?  Do I have liquor available in my house?  What means do I have of knowing if my kids or their friends are drinking my liquor?  What would I do if my child came home with alcohol on his/her breath?  Does he/she know what I would do?  Have I asked them to call me if they or someone they are with has been drinking and intends to drive? Do they know the signs of alcohol poisoning and will they take the responsibility to take a potentially poisoned peer to a hospital or call me to take them? Do I realize—really realize—how strong my influence is on my kids even my teenagers?