Talking About Alcohol Use Could Save Your Teen's LIFE

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it is vital you have conversations with your children about drinking. Although alcohol use among teens was reported at a decline in 2014 it is still a very real danger among youth. Just having the conversation can help empower them to make wise decisions in avoiding alcohol and could result in saving their LIFE down the line. Here are 3 ways your conversations about alcohol could help empower them for the future.

1. Talk. Your strongest influence on your child is BEFORE they start drinking alcohol. It is harder to change a behavior than prevent one. Talk when they are young about alcohol and its dangers to those who are under age. Discuss how important it is to wait until they are of legal drinking age-- or even avoid alcohol altogether. It is NEVER too early to have the conversation. Start young. Talk often.
   
2. Avoid Trouble. Teens who drink are more likely to be involved in crimes, have an alcohol related accident, and have poor performance in school. If your teen does not drink they are more likely to be successful in school. Discussing how to avoid peer pressure and make wise decisions when it comes to drinking will literally SAVE THEIR LIFE!
   
3. Early Prevention. Having conversations early and often about alcohol could help them avoid alcohol dependence in the future. Teens who drink before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to have a dependence on or abuse alcohol in their future. 
   

As parents, educators, and guardians we can sometimes feel powerless about where to start the conversation. We can toil over when, where, how, etc. However, the most important thing to remember is you cannot afford to not have the conversation with your teen.