How can parents prevent alcohol use

Parents are role models, even to teens. So set a good example by drinking responsibly or not at all , not using alcohol as a stress reliever, and never driving after drinking.

Regular, honest talks with your kids will help them make good decisions. Still, parents should watch for problems and set rules. Ask your child to be honest with you if they do try alcohol. Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Ages 4 to 7 Talk about alcohol when it comes up naturally. You can talk about short-term effects of alcohol, like: distorted vision, hearing, and coordination altered perceptions and emotions impaired judgment, which can lead to accidents, drowning, and other risky behaviors bad breath hangovers And its long-term effects, such as: liver damage loss of appetite stomach problems heart and brain damage memory loss Kids this age want to fit in with their friends.

Ages 12 to 17 The teen years are a time to be a good listener and keep the lines of communication open. Talk about good reasons not to drink, such as: Drinking at a young age can lead to alcohol problems later. Teens who drink are more likely to be sexually active earlier and to have unprotected sex.

Teens who drink are more likely to have problems in school. You can get addicted to alcohol. You can make difficult conversations like this easier by thinking about what you want to say beforehand.

And you can also raise the topic with your child before she asks. You might also need to get familiar with support options and resources for your child. If your child is likely to be around alcohol with other young people, here are some messages about alcohol use that can help to keep your child safe. At first it can make people feel energised and more social. But as people drink more, they might become drowsy, lose balance and coordination, slur speech and think more slowly.

They can even feel sick or vomit. At extreme levels, alcohol can make people unconscious or stop them breathing normally. Keeping youth drug free. Butt, P. Alcohol and health in Canada: A summary of evidence and guidelines for low-risk drinking.

Ledoux, S. Family structure, parent-child relationships and alcohol and other drug use among teenagers in France and the United Kingdom. Wolfe, D. Tips for parents on building healthy relationships with their teenagers. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Government of Ontario. Liquor License Act. Retrieved from: www. West Melbourne: Victoria; [cited April 21]. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Having a party?

DrinkWise Australia. Tip 3 for Parents. Hosting a party for teenagers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving