Safe & Sober

July 26, 2024

A guest blog by Hailey Kanipe and Missy Akinlolu

The weather is heating up, and so are all the fun summer activities we often look forward to during this time of year. Whether you are traveling, swimming, spending time with friends, or just relaxing at home, it is important to consider ways to make your summer safe and productive. Parents, the summertime is a great time to talk with your children about substance misuse!

In 2022, 10.9 million adolescents aged 12 to 20 reported having drunk alcohol in the past year (NIAAA, n.d.). Unlike other substances, alcohol is legal in the United States for people over age 21 to consume, and alcohol advertisements can be seen everywhere. People consume alcohol at parties, when taking communion at church and in their homes. Year after year, new, more exciting, colorful alcohol products are added to the market. All of this, in turn, means that alcohol is easily accessible to youth, and many young people view alcohol as being less dangerous than other substances. Unfortunately, this combination of access and low perception of harm can cause youth to experiment with alcohol and other substances and may lead to dangerous consequences.

The short-term effects of alcohol include lowered inhibitions, interpersonal conflict, falls and accidents, “hangovers,” altered behavior, and alcohol poisoning (Better Health, 2020). Underage alcohol consumption can result in a variety of issues within families, as well as underperformance at school. Excessive youth alcohol use can contribute to violence, risky behaviors, alcohol poisoning, motor vehicle accidents, and the onset of diseases like cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure, and alcohol use disorders (CDC, 2024).

To avoid all of these consequences, parents can reduce youth alcohol access by making sure that any alcohol they have at home is stored out of sight, such as in a locked cabinet or closet. Parents should also try not to drink in the presence of young people, if at all possible. It will be difficult to talk to youth about alcohol use if they know that their parents regularly use alcohol themselves.

Parents should have early, often, and open conversations with their children about the risks of alcohol and drug use. It is important for parents to approach these conversations with a caring, nonjudgmental tone of voice. It may also be helpful for parents to share stories about challenges they have faced related to the issue of underage substance use and to share facts regarding the consequences of substance abuse. Parents should make sure to emphasize to their children that they are always open and available to talk about anything with their children at any time. Young people should be taught the rules and consequences of the household, and parents should enforce those rules and consequences if they are broken. Parents should encourage youth to ask questions about anything they wish to know more about and should take the time to listen to the concerns their children bring up. If you don’t know the answer, seek additional information online or contact local resources for help! LRADAC is always available to assist parents with resources and treatment should they need help.