We regularly encounter the effects of teen alcohol abuse in our teen rehab program – understand the importance of talking to your kids.
Did you know alcoholism is one of our nation’s top health problems? Many of those affected by this disease begin this dangerous habit early in life and unfortunately, too many of those teens get addicted early on. Here at Ozarks Teen Challenge, a teen rehab program in Branson, MO, we are all too familiar with the serious effects of teen alcoholism.
Fortunately, many other organizations around the country also recognize the importance of educating both teens and parents about the dangers of teen alcoholism. Schools, organizations, Christian boarding schools like OTC, and even law firms such as Anelli Xavier Defense Attorneys all the way in New York do their best to educate and inform the public about teen alcohol abuse. (In fact, check out this informative article from Anelli Xavier Defense Attorneys full of graphics and statistics to learn more about teen drinking and driving.) We encourage you to do everything you can to prevent underage drinking within your community!
April is Alcoholism Awareness Month
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc., April is Alcoholism Awareness Month. This monthly campaign was established in 1987 and stretches across communities nationwide. By incorporating a variety of media campaigns, awareness programs and events, Alcohol Awareness Month is effective in spreading the word about alcoholism, treatment and recovery.
What You Can Do to Prevent Teen Alcoholism
Making an effort to prevent teen alcohol abuse doesn’t have to start and end with the month of April – here at OTC, it’s something we do every day. Maybe your teen is a graduate of our teen rehab program. Maybe you have family members currently struggling with alcoholism. Or maybe you yourself are a recovering alcoholic. Whatever your reason is for wanting to help prevent teen alcohol abuse, we applaud you! There are many ways you can help prevent teen alcoholism within your community, but below are just a few.
Talk to Your Kids
The first step in preventing alcoholism of any kind is education – especially when it comes to your own family. Make it a point to talk to your kids regularly about alcohol and underage drinking. Binge drinking, drinking and driving, and peer pressure are all important topics of discussion that shouldn’t be ignored. Teens are experimenting with alcohol at a young age, so don’t persuade yourself into believing that 5th or 6th grade is too early to begin talking with your kids about alcohol – it’s not!
Be a Role Model
As parents, we serve as very important role models for our kids. They are always watching what we do and our actions impact their decisions as they grow. We should take this very seriously and act responsibly. Paying attention to the things we say and do when we have houseguests or go out with friends can make a huge impact on the way our children view the world. Additionally we can’t forget to remind our kids that we were teens once too! We likely struggled with the same temptations and peer pressure that they will. Share your story (even the mess ups) and remind them that everyone makes mistakes. By being open and honest with your children, you will encourage them to do the same.
Partner with Teen Rehab Programs Like Ozarks Teen Challenge
Supporting teen rehab programs like Ozarks Teen Challenge is a great way to get involved in the discussion about teen alcoholism and underage drinking and driving. There are many youth programs across the nation dedicated to alcoholism education, resources and recovery and these drug treatment and behavioral centers really do transform lives.
Here at Ozarks Teen Challenge, we are so thankful for all those that support our boys Christian boarding school with rehab treatment. By volunteering your time, giving monetary gifts, or simply spreading the word about the mission of our organization (or other organizations), you can help make a difference in the lives of others too.
Contact us today to learn more about alcoholism prevention and our program for troubled teens.
