Power of Parents ® High School Handbook
Chapter 4
Reasons Teens Respect When you speak with your teen about avoiding alcohol, emphasize the following reasons that help many teens choose not to drink:
REASON 3 Drinking May Make You Vulnerable
Most teens know it is illegal to drink under the age of 21. Still, they may assume they won’t get caught or they are unfamiliar with Zero Tolerance laws, which prohibit driving after drinking any amount of alcohol. Remind them that police do receive complaints about parties. When police arrive, they may arrest anyone who is suspected of underage substance use. State clearly that you expect your teen to obey the law. Discuss the potential consequences for breaking the law, such as, the teen could have their license revoked or face expensive legal fees. If a court date is scheduled, you may have to take time off from work and could lose pay. Teens rarely consider all the possible legal consequences. Discussing the implications of an arrest can help deter underage drinking. REASON 1 Underage Drinking is Illegal
Teens who are drinking are more vulnerable to dangerous situations and often can’t escape or protect themselves from the threat of rape or assault. Your teen probably trusts the people they are around, and you may trust them too, but alcohol can turn situations dangerous. 85% of women who have been sexually assaulted were assaulted by someone they knew.
REASON 4 Drinking Might Lead to Addiction
No one aspires to have an alcohol abuse problem. Yet most people believe they can control their drinking and will not become an alcoholic themselves. Research clearly shows, however, that the younger a person starts drinking, the greater the chance they will develop alcohol problems later in life. Adults who started drinking at age 15 or 16 are five times more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol dependence as adults who started drinking after age 21.
REASON 2 Drinking Can Make You Sick or Pass Out
Alcohol irritates the lining of the digestive system. Drinking too much alcohol can make people vomit and feel bad for days (a condition known as a “hangover”). Other teens don’t want to be around someone who is sick or passes out from too much drinking. Remind your teen that alcohol sickness can happen suddenly and with little warning.
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