Alcohol abuse among teenagers
Set a good example through your own alcohol intake – social worker.
The festive season is upon us and with the schools closing for the holidays, children have the freedom to socialise with their peers outside the borders of their usual protective school environment.
Very often teenagers are left to their own devices as they are considered mature enough to be without supervision or because supervision is simply not available.
This brings about concerns about the risks they could be exposed to, such as being introduced to alcohol.
Research has shown that alcohol abuse among teenagers start when they are very young.
More precisely, the average age when teenagers first indulge in alcohol is 13 years old for girls and 11 years old for boys.
Research also has revealed that teenage drinking mainly is a social activity as teens rarely drink alone. There are, however, many other reasons besides peer influence that lead to teens drinking.
The social environment and media influence also may play a key role in a teenager’s decision to drink. These external factors, however do not explain the whole picture. It is also known that some people may be predisposed genetically to becoming addicted to alcohol.
Alcohol abuse among teenagers entails the following obvious dangers that need to be considered:
• Inhibitions are lowered (increased danger of rape and sexual abuse)
• Road accidents
• Increased tolerance leading to an increase of alcohol abuse
• Drinking with peer groups may lead to teenagers being exposed to other drugs
Parents who have concerns about their young children and teenagers being exposed to alcohol through their peers are advised to consider the following:
• Educate your child about the dangers of alcohol from a very young age
• Set a good example through your own alcohol intake and avoid situations in which your children are exposed to other people drinking excessively
• Be involved in your child’s life and build a relationship of trust
• Do not allow your child too much pocket money. Agree on an age-appropriate amount
• Don’t forget that your teenager is still a child. Supervise him or her and set boundaries in terms of venues they are allowed at, the time they spent away from home and the company they keep
Please sent your thoughts on this subject to SandriAppelgryn@gmail.com.
