Independence Day is a holiday that is already known for alcohol use. Many people drink while celebrating the holiday. That means that alcohol is more prevalent at family affairs, and your teen could have easy access. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we’re here to help if your teen has taken an interest in underage drinking with our alcohol abuse center for teens. If you’re wondering what you can do to prevent them from drinking this Fourth of July, please contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275.
Preventing Underage Drinking On the Fourth of July
Teens are getting older and are at an age when they may want to try new things. Unfortunately, underage drinking is dangerous. It could lead to drunk driving arrests or accidents, or it may just result in a drunken night where they make a series of bad decisions.
It’s not a good habit for teens to get into, so it’s vital to be proactive if you can. Taking steps to prevent underage drinking is possible. Some steps you can take to prevent your teen from drinking include the following.
1. Keep Away from High-Risk Situations
The first thing to do is to remember that you can keep your teen out of high-risk situations. If your teen can’t drive yet, you are in control of where they go and who they see. Make a plan to keep them away from alcohol.
If your teen is 16 or driving already, then consider keeping them with you for a family event rather than letting them go out with friends. If there is any question about the safety of an event, it’s better to avoid allowing them to go.
2. Stay Present
Another good tip is to stay present. If you go with your child to an event with alcohol, keep your eye on them. Be present and don’t let them sneak off with other adolescents who may have a history of being a bad influence or partaking in substance use. Your presence should be a deterrent to drinking underage.
3. Talk to Your Teen
Finally, remember that it is crucial to talk to your teen about alcohol and its impacts. It’s wise to speak with your teen about the legal implications if they have a history of driving drunk or drinking underage. It’s also important to talk to them about how they could get hurt or hurt someone else by driving while intoxicated.
If they don’t drive yet, then talk to them about the dangers of ingesting alcohol and how those who don’t know their limits are at a greater risk of alcohol poisoning. At the same time, understand that your teen may still drink. In that case, they’ll need to know the signs of someone being intoxicated beyond their limits so that they can call for help if they or someone else is in danger.
Usually, communicating the risks of alcohol is an excellent conversation to have before an event where it will be present. Making alcohol totally off-limits and not explaining why could entice teens to try it anyway. However, if you take the time to express why it’s a risk, then your teen may agree and avoid it.
Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Teen drinking can make an ordinarily happy holiday into a negative experience very quickly. Underage drinking is illegal and can lead to substance abuse. Whether you are a parent of a struggling teen or are trying to watch out for a teen you love, it’s essential to look into alcohol abuse treatment options for teens when you notice a pattern. Contact us at 866.300.5275 to learn more about the sober holidays you could have with our treatment options. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we are here to help.
