Drunk and dangerous - One in two Australians aged 15-17 who get drunk do things they later regret.
- One in four hospitalisations of people aged 15-24 happens because of alcohol.
- Four Australians under 25 die from alcohol-related injuries every week.
Drink safe - Know your limits and aim to stick to them.
- Avoid drinking games.
- Alternate your drinks with non-alcoholic ones.
- Eat before and during drinking.
- Avoid rounds or shouts. You're likely to drink more to keep up with your friends.
- Dance or keep active to avoid continuous drinking.
- Avoid top ups. Finish your drink before you go for a refill to keep track of how much you've had.
Educating teens on binge drinking
Start early
This will allow for more open communication as they grow into a teen
Clear family policy
It should always be clear to your teen that underage drinking is not tolerated, so that there is no expectation of this.
Listen, don't judge
Listen to everything your teen says to you about drinking and their environment without passing judgment. If your teen thinks you are criticizing their friends and social situation they will be more reluctant to be honest with you.
Explain your situation
As a parent, you are over 18 and are legally allowed to drink. Let your teen know that this is a blanket law across Australia. Explain to them that even though although adults are allowed to drink, most of them only drink in moderation. Dangers
Explain the dangers that can result from binge drinks like car accidents, violence and sexual assaults.
How to say no
Show your teen how they can say no to alcohol, without loosing friends or feeling like a social outcast because of it.
Demonstrate a responsibility with alcohol
Your children will follow your example. Always make sure you're demonstrating the drinking behaviour that you expect from your children when they're adults. Remember that you're your children best role model. This doesn't mean abstaining from alcohol; it's about finding a middle ground. Teaching your children that drinking is ok, but only in moderation.
How do you feel about binge drinking? Let us know by leaving a comment below. |
