“Well, their judgment is extremely impaired. So, they’re much more likely to try dangerous behaviors and not even really have any kind of internal control over what they’re doing.”
– Heather Hayes, M.Ed., licensed professional counselor
According to studies from the Department of Justice, binge drinking accounts for 90 percent of all the alcohol consumed by teenagers. But the consequences for these kids are far greater than just a bad hangover.
16-year-old Renee Roe has been there. “Oh, we’d get drunk,” she remembers. “When we drink, we’d get drunk until we were like, drunk-drunk. Like, you don’t even know what you’re doing anymore, you’re like ‘ahhh’ - you’re like all over the place.”
So has 17-year-old Terrell Jackson. “That’s the only reason to drink,” he says. “I don’t believe in drinking just to drink. If I’m gonna drink, I’m gonna get drunk. Not only drunk, I’m gonna get ‘faded,’ I’m gonna get ‘messed up.’”
15-year-old Jasmine Williams says many teens just don’t know when to stop. “[They have to] have it ALL, like the whole bottle,” she says, “just get really, really drunk.”
According to the CDC, binge drinkers are five times more likely to have sex, 18 times more likely to smoke cigarettes, “four times more likely to smoke marijuana, four times more likely to get into physical fights with others. And there’s a higher rate of suicide,” says licensed professional counselor, Heather Hayes.
When kids are drunk, they make rash and often dangerous decisions.
“Well, their judgment is extremely impaired,” explains Hayes. “So they’re much more likely to try dangerous behaviors and not even really have any kind of internal control over what they’re doing.”
“We used to do stupid things, like sneak out of houses and go like, jack stuff from cars,” Renee remembers.
Terrell says when he’s drunk, nothing matters, “At the time that I’m doing it, you’re don’t really feel bad, because you don’t really think about it, because you could care less,” he says. “You’re just living for the moment.”
Research from Columbia University shows alcohol is the leading cause of accidents, murder and rape among teens.
Experts say it’s the most dangerous drug of all, “There’s not even a comparison,” says Jim Mosher, J.D., with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. “This is by far the number-one health problem that young people face in our society.”
Terrell, now in rehab, regrets the things he did when he was drunk. “I did a lot of stupid things while I was drunk, you know,” he admits, “like about a thousand things, really.”
Tips for Parents
- Act responsibly, and be health-conscious. A recent study suggests that parents who drink and smoke, and who generally don’t take care of their health, may influence their children to engage in risky behaviors themselves. (Center For The Advancement of Health)
- In families with two parents, it’s important both adults are unified in their approach to discipline. Seeing parents argue over rules and limits undermines parental control. (Council for Relationships)
- Parents should not feel comfortable with any drug experimentation by their child. Once you start to “normalize” drugs, you’ll never know exactly how much your child is using. (Armando Corpus, Thunder Road Adolescent Treatment Center)
- Remember you’re a role model to your kids. From the their infancy, they’re processing everything you do. They also observe how you cope with stress. If you’re showing your kids that it’s much easier to cope with life with a little alcohol, you’re sending them a message. (Randy Koch, alcohol counselor)
- Send your children a clear and consistent message: that you do not want them to drink before the age of 21. Do not make exceptions for special occasions like prom parties, spring break, or graduation parties. Kids who are allowed to drink at home will believe “drinking is no big deal to my parents.” This will make them more likely to drink outside the home. (Dr. Michael Fishman, Addiction Specialist)
- Lock up your alcohol. Two-thirds of teens admit they have stolen liquor from their parents without their parents’ knowledge. (Teenage Research Unlimited)
References
Columbia University
Department of Justice
Centers for Disease Control
See the original article and video clips here: http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2007/320_feb14/thisweek/070214_binge.shtml
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