Winter Vital Health - Online stories
Teen binge drinking
New and ongoing research is very clear: alcohol has the potential to disrupt the development of a young brain, meaning teenagers who drink alcohol too early risk not reaching their full potential as an adult.
Melbourne parents Rachel and Peter* have always taken a firm approach to alcohol but the scientific evidence, plus the fact that it’s illegal under the age of 18, have made it much easier to explain their position to their three children.
“Our policy is we won’t give you alcohol until you’re 18 and we expect you not to drink,” says Rachel, describing the teen drinking scene as both scary and pernicious. “The problem is, kids are not just having one or two drinks, they drink to wipe themselves out.”
Rachel and Peter have always been candid with their kids – both with their own drinking habits and with their views on teen drinking. While Rachel concedes their hard-and-fast rules might not suit everyone, she does believe good and constant communication is the key.
“We will explain to our kids how we got to our decision,” she says. “Here’s the medical research, here’s what we think, here’s what we do, here’s the law, here’s our evidence and here’s why we’re saying what we’re saying. This is not a negotiable situation.”
Rachel says, without this conversation, the message isn’t necessarily clear. “We talk to the kids about it because it’s important for them to see what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and not make their own assumptions.”
Paul Dillon, founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA), recommends a direct approach but he also says the language used and explaining why you care is just as critical.
For Rachel and Peter, these open and frank conversations with their kids, aged 16, 14 and 12, usually take place around the dinner table where everyone can be involved. Less formally, Rachel uses newspaper articles as conversation starters and examples of what can happen with the misuse of alcohol. She says it’s a useful and powerful tool.
“We are open and honest with our kids and we hope that gives them the opportunity to express their own feelings, thoughts and opinions.”
For example, their eldest child will always be above-board regarding the parties she’s attending, letting Rachel and Peter know if there will be parents present, alcohol supplied and the chance of gatecrashers. By knowing all the facts in advance, Rachel says they can work towards an outcome they’re all happy with.
In turn, Rachel and Peter have made it eminently clear that they will always support their children, regardless of the situation.
“I say, ‘call me anywhere, any time’,” explains Rachel. “‘I’ll be very happy to yell at you the day after but if you need help, just call’.”
Stressing the importance of rules and boundaries, Dillon says the evidence is very clear: if you don’t create them, children don’t understand limitations and, as a result, flounder.
Rachel agrees, “Our daughter complains that we’re inflexible but I actually think she likes that we’re not wishy washy and we’ve got a firm opinion.”
With parties taking place virtually every weekend and some parents having different rules, policing what takes place outside the family home is increasingly difficult. Dillon suggests restricting sleepovers on party nights so parents can ensure their children are safely in bed come curfew.
While Rachel doesn’t ban staying at friends’ houses, she will often pick up her kids from parties – ferrying home their friends – and she insists they always let her know when they’ve arrived home.
“I regularly pick up my daughter from parties,” she says, “which is a good way to keep tabs on what’s going on and take an interest in what she’s doing and who she’s seeing.”
While Rachel is supportive of her children, she says there’s no ambiguity about what happens if any of her kids break the rules.
“They will be grounded and then I will start to take things away,” she says earnestly. “I’ll take away the iPod, I’ll take the phone, I’ll take the laptop and I’ll take away Facebook…”
*Names have been changed
For more information
For a list of alcohol and drug services in your state or territory go to the Australian Drug Information Network www.adin.com.au
This site includes service directories, treatment services, information and resources.
For a list of state and territory telephone numbers for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia, go to www.adca.org.au/content/view/31/187
Other national organisations include:
DrinkWise: www.drinkwise.com.au
Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Lifeline: 13 11 14
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Taping tips brought to you by Sports Medicine Australia
How to prepare the skin for taping:
Before applying the tape, you need to prepare by:
• Shaving the area. For best results, wet-shave the skin 12 hours before or use an electric razor just prior.
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Where to apply the tape:
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How tight the tape should be:
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Thumb taping
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Buddy – finger taping
• Place foam pad (leukofoam) between fingers.
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• Tape above and below injured joint.
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