| Young people should be told about the short-term unglamorous consequences of alcohol such as vomiting, loss of control, inability to study or work, taking risks, memory loss, hangover, acting and looking stupid in front of peers etc
Try not to
lecture or preach. It can be unconstructive and may have the
opposite effect to what is intended. Open discussion, which
allows young people the opportunity to express their own
opinion, should be encouraged. However, you do have an
influence on and responsibility for your child - so make sure
they know the FACTS about alcohol.
Don't
make things up in an effort to scare your children. The facts
are enough and exaggeration is often not
believed.
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Many
young people think that they are 'invincible' - therefore,
outlining the long-term consequences, medical or otherwise,
may have little effect. Explaining the immediate medical and
adverse behavioural effects can be more beneficial.
Remember how much YOU drink and how
YOU behave will have a big influence on your children. The 'do as I say not do as I do' approach will have little effect.
Helping to build feelings of self-worth provides a basis on which children can resist pressures to drink. Often, young people, like adults, drink for self-confidence or 'Dutch courage'.
Therefore, try to ensure that young people have interests and goals. This will help make drinking less important than other activities and
can help build self-esteem.
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