Spirited Celebrations Require Education and Moderation

One in three high school teens said they’re allowed to drink at home for special events like holidays, according to a recent Teens Today study from Students Against Drunk Driving and Liberty Mutual Group. Among college students, studies have shown 80 percent consume alcohol.

Chris Stout, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and director of practice and outcomes for Timberline Knolls, a Chicago-based residential treatment center for women with substance abuse, eating and other emotional disorders, says this season can be hazardous to individuals and families. In his treating people with chemical dependency issues, he has often found evidence that “innocent” exposure with the family and during the holidays can too often mark the beginning of a problem with alcohol.

“Drinking during the holidays and for special occasions is commonly dismissed as traditional, and therefore, ‘OK,’” Stout says. “But parents don’t realize that when children begin drinking at a young age, they are more likely to develop substance abuse problems later in life and risk becoming more susceptible to the complicating factors alcohol has for adults - physically, emotionally, and socially.”

As help for parents of teens and young adults facing the “spirits” of the holiday season, Stout offers the following advice:

• Talk with your child about the realities of alcohol and substance use and abuse before it becomes an issue. Be open about your own positions and habits, and be clear with your expectations. The best conversations come from a non-judgmental, non-pressured dialogue, not from cross-examination after the fact.

• Advise children about risks tey face (for themselves and others) in consuming alcohol - drunk driving, spiked drinks, alcohol poisoning, blackouts. They are often exposed to “accepted” drinking at the neighborhood holiday party, and are left unprepared for the realities of consumption in an unsupervised environment. The common reaction is “it won’t happen to me,” but parents need to help their children realize the truth . it can, and it does.

• Watch for signs that your child may be drinking. While denial is one of the first signs of an alcoholic, it is also one of the first reactions a parent will have to a child with a substance abuse problem. Is your child depressed, anxious, stressed, apathetic, or irritable? Be realistic about the cause for their erratic behavior or coming in the door past curfew. Address your concerns honestly and directly with your teen.

• Model appropriate alcohol use or abstinence. Children watch their parents, though it may not be obvious. So, be a good role model while verbalizing your concerns.

• Remember what you went through as a teen and young adult. Experimentation and sampling are normal parts of development, but should not be confused with risk-taking behaviors. What did your parents do, or not do, that helped you survive the social pressure you faced to grow-up and become a parent yourself? Also remember, we can have a good time without being intoxicated.

Stout says it’s devastating to see the number of families and individuals who suffered for not recognizing and addressing problems with alcohol when they began. With this advice, he hopes families will be on alert this holiday season, for their safety now and their health in the future. For additional tips and information, visit http://www.timberlineknolls.com.