College Students and Binge Drinking
College years are probably the most memorable ones for everyone. Unfortunately today more and more parents have to face the problem of their children’s binge drinking at college. So what should parents do to protect their children from abusive alcohol consumption?
Throughout the country alcohol is the most common students’ drug. Marijuana takes the second place in the list. How to recognize that your child drinks in a “binge” manner? The result of binge drinking (abusive alcohol consumption) is intoxication. Of course this leads to divesting consequences. Hundreds of student deaths, as well as thousands of injuries, are alcohol-related.
But it’s not only about the students who have to do something to overcome the problem. Keep in mind that parents are responsible to help them. Parents may be surprised, but very often they influence their children to drink.
Parents have to do three important things. First of all you should be informed. There are many sources giving the information about drug use and college drinking (don’t forget about the Internet option). Talk to your children about your expectations, discuss their behavior. Children should know how you feel about this abusive use of alcohol and drugs.
Positive behavior would be maintained by the open communication. Do you call your children frequently? They need your communication with them. Ask about their academic achievements and social behavior. Your children should see you are interested in what’s happening in their lives. And if there is a need to talk about alcohol and drugs with your children, don’t feel uncomfortable. Remember that it’s easier to discuss it when there is no problem yet.
A preventive talk will protect your children!