CINCINNATI - Since the summer months can produce a higher likelihood of drinking for teens, it may be time to have a talk with your child.
Summertime is a transitional period for teens and they have a lot more unsupervised time on their hands, according to Mary Haag, president, CEO and executive director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati.
"When they're in transition, they're changing social circles,” Haag said.
The coalition's survey results show that underage drinking is declining in Cincinnati since 2000. Haag said the decline stems from factors like collaborative efforts of local coalitions, media campaigns, education of parents and an increased awareness of laws.
Haag said one of the most notable changes has been a change in peer perception, meaning more peers are starting to show disapproval of drinking. According to Haag, this is a big factor in a teen’s decision to engage in underage drinking.
Though peer-to-peer interaction has a huge impact on teenagers' decisions, Haag said parents are still the number one influences in their kids' lives. This is why Haag said engaging in conversations with your teen about drinking is important.
"Don't be afraid," Haag said. "Take advantage of teachable moments."
Haag said it is important to set clear boundaries and expectations with your teens.
"Kids really thrive when they have clear boundaries and expectations," Haag said. "It teaches them accountability."
If you catch your teen drinking, Haag said to avoid confronting the situation when they are intoxicated and to wait until he or she is sober to talk. She recommends addressing the situation in a clear way and discussing observations you made about his or her behavior.
Jeff Stokoe, the chief operating officer of the Alcoholism Council of the Cincinnati Area, said underage drinking can still hit the best of households and that it is important to have the conversation and not to assume your child is uninvolved. He said to stay calm and to make sure the discussion is more of a dialogue than a lecture, which helps the adolescent feel safer and more willing to admit if he or she has been drinking.
"We don't want you to go ballistic on them," Stokoe said.
Stokoe said that parents and guardians should discuss the most severe consequences of drinking such as date rape, drinking and driving and violence with their teens. He added that it is important to have a conversation with your child early because statistics show that more than two-thirds of kids under the age of 15 who drink will move on to illicit drugs.
Dr. Jennifer Setlik, an assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, said teens who drink underage are more than twice as likely to develop alcohol problems then those who do not drink before 21. This number increases to four times as likely if they start before the age of 15.
Setlik said early alcohol use has been associated with greater sexual risk taking, academic problems, other substance use and misuse and delinquent behavior.
"Alcohol use is a main contributor to teen death and is often involved with motor vehicle crashes, homicide and suicide," Setlik said.
If alcoholism runs in your family, Stokoe said your teen has a much higher risk of becoming an alcoholic. Stokoe said a huge warning sign for alcoholism is when the person starts to withdraw from relationships. With teens, this is harder to spot because kids pull away from their parents naturally.
"Kids tend to hide things from their parents," Stokoe said. "Mom and Dad don't really have a clue for about two years because those symptoms mimic being rebellious kids."
Another sign is a change in peer group, which Stokoe said is usually one that a parent considers to be undesirable.
For the parents who allow teens to drink at their homes, Haag advises them to learn the law. Ohio and Kentucky laws state that adults cannot knowingly allow minors that are not their own children, even with the permission of the child's parent, to consume or possess alcohol on their property. According to the coalition's website, Ohio parents who disobey can face up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail and Kentucky parents can be punished with a $500 fine and/or one year in jail.
"If it's happening on your property, you're liable," Haag said.
According to Stokoe, a common misconception for parents is the idea: "Well if it's in my house and in my presence, it's okay." To these parents, Stokoe said he hopes they understand the legal and financial risks they take by hosting underage gatherings.
"I'd ask them what makes them willing to risk the well-being of their child and other children," Stoke said. "Is it worth all that?"
Haag said one of the biggest misunderstandings parents have about underage drinking is how alcohol changes an adolescent’s brain and the long-term effects associated with it. Alcohol can affect the development of critical thinking skills that begin during the adolescent years, Haag said.
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