Dr. William Beecroft, MD, DLFAPA, is medical director of behavioral health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Dr. Beecroft is board-certified in general psychiatry, consultation-liaison and geriatrics specialties. He serves on the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission.
Navigating Tough Teenage Conversations About Alcohol
4 min read
By Dr. William Beecroft, M.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., medical director of behavioral health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Teenagers who drink are more likely to die in a car crash, be a victim of a violent crime and more likely to have problems at school and work than their peers who abstain from alcohol.
Alcohol is a drug that can have dangerous health consequences for everyone, especially on teens whose brains are not fully developed. One of the best ways to combat underage drinking is a strong parent-child relationship, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
The health risks of alcohol
In January, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of:
- Breast, colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat and voice box cancer
- Digestive disorders
- Heart and vascular problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease
- Liver disease
- Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
- Weaker immune system
The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher the risk of cancer, according to the advisory.
Alcohol and the teenage brain
Teens are wired to seek pleasure, and their pre-frontal cortex, which is responsible for reasoning and impulse control, is not fully developed. Therefore, it can be more difficult for teens to understand the risks of drinking alcohol. Substance use in teens can lead to abnormalities in brain functioning, such as:
- Anxiety and depression
- Damaged connections in the brain
- Memory problems
- Reduced ability to experience pleasure
Adolescents who drink in their early teens are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency in the future, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Signs of alcohol abuse in teens
Parents should know the signs of substance use in their children as teens may not want to admit to drinking. Signs include:
- Abandoning long-time friends and suddenly making new ones
- Breaking rules such as ignoring curfew
- Declining performance at school or activities
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities
- Missing school, work or activities
- Sudden or extreme change in eating habits, sleeping patterns and physical appearance
- Withdrawing from the family
How to talk with teens about drinking
As spring events such as prom and graduation parties approach, it is a good time for parents to discuss alcohol and drinking with their teens. Talking about alcohol before teens are introduced to it makes them more likely to respect parental rules and expectations around substance use.
Open communication
Parents can start with open communication with their children about different topics. Asking open-ended questions, listening to their interests and ideas, respecting their viewpoints and responding rather than reacting are ways to build trust with young people. This makes it more comfortable to discuss challenging topics such as alcohol use.
Ask the teen about alcohol
Parents or guardians can ask their child what the teen thinks of drinking and dangers of alcohol. Listen without interruptions or lectures. Learn what perceptions and ideas teens have about drinking and whether they see it as dangerous or unhealthy. Having more frequent, shorter conversations makes a difference, according to SAMHSA.
Share facts about alcohol
Parents can teach their children about what alcohol is: a drug that impairs coordination, judgment and thinking. Alcohol can lead to people of any age making poor decisions that put themselves and others at risk, such as driving. It takes about two to three hours for one drink to leave someone’s system.
Underage drinking is against the law, and teens who are caught drinking can face a misdemeanor charge for possessing or drinking alcohol in Michigan.
Set a good example
A powerful way of demonstrating healthy behavior around alcohol is to not drink around teens. If teens hear parents say one thing about alcohol but see them doing the opposite, they may not believe what’s been said about the dangers of alcohol.
Share other ways teens can have fun
While teens want to be with their friends, it can be a lot easier to drink when other people are drinking. Gathering with friends who don’t want to drink can reduce that risk. Ultimately, not drinking is the safest and healthiest choice.
Dr. William Beecroft, M.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., is a medical director of behavioral health at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For more health tips and information, visit A Healthier Michigan.
Image: Getty Images
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