Alcohol Impact on Children

Tackling the issue of alcohol with our kids and laying down some ground rules about drinking can be one of parenting’s biggest challenges. Do we expressly forbid our teenagers from touching alcohol until they are 18 or do we take the more relaxed, ‘continental’ approach’ where they can try alcohol from an earlier age under our supervision?
With so many opinions and theories out there it’s understandable that many parents feel baffled about what is the ‘right’ thing to do. As a member of Drinkaware’s Mumtank, a parent of two teenage children, and a GP who sees the damaging effects of alcohol on a daily basis, I hope I can provide other parents with practical advice and information to help them navigate this potential minefield.

Getting the facts straight

Long terms health harms…

As a parent, your most powerful tool is information – giving your child all the details they need to make an informed decision about alcohol. Drinkaware has comprehensive online resources packed with useful facts and tips for dealing with the issue and if you’re concerned about your child drinking, your GP is also a good source of information. Most importantly, make sure you keep up an ongoing and open dialogue between you and your child from an early age, right through their teenage years and even after they turn 18. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a one off conversation will do the trick. Equally, don’t be afraid to set some ground rules, making sure that you clearly explain why they can’t drink and why it’s different for adults – teenagers can argue with us until they’re blue in the face but if you have the facts to hand and they know that you’re right, this is one debate you can win.

Understand the risks of alcohol to young people

From liver damage to vulnerability, know the risks associated with children drinking alcohol so you can talk to your child about them before it’s too late.Children can make more responsible decisions about drinking if they have the facts to base them on and feel confident to say “no” if they want to. While the immediate effects of alcohol on children may be no more than being sick or having a hangover, alcohol can leave children emotionally, physically and sexually vulnerable. So the most important thing is to talk to your child early and often about the different risks associated with drinking alcohol.

Long-term risks:

Liver damage

You might think that only lifelong alcoholics get liver disease, but regularly drinking too much can increase a young person’s chances of damaging their liver. And as there aren’t many warning signs of liver damage, a problem might only be discovered when it’s very serious.

Drinking later in life

If children binge drink, they are more likely to be binge drinkers as adults. Drinking frequently at a young age is also linked to an increased risk of developing alcohol dependence in young adulthood. Regularly drinking in later life can lead to cancer, stroke, heart disease and infertility.

Short-term risks:

Brain development

The areas of the brain responsible for behaviour, emotions, reasoning and judgement are still developing throughout childhood and into the teenage years. Drinking during this time can impact on memory, reactions and attention span. This could affect your child’s performance at school and stop them reaching their full potential.

Vulnerability

The hormonal changes children go through at puberty make them more likely to take risks. Alcohol can further impair children’s judgement, leaving them vulnerable. If they have been drinking they might unintentionally put themselves in risky situations like getting involved in a fight or walking home alone. Over a third (34%) of 16 and 17 year olds have walked home alone at night when drunk.

Unprotected sex

Alcohol affects children’s rational decision-making skills. When children drink they feel more confident and have lower inhibitions. This can mean they make decisions which are out of character such as having unprotected sex.

Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol can be poisonous to anyone that drinks too much in a short space of time but children are especially vulnerable because of their smaller size. Serious health effects of alcohol on children can be seen when their blood alcohol levels get too high. This can cause their brain to stop controlling their body’s vital functions and in the worst case scenario they could stop breathing, fall into a coma or choke on their own vomit.

Appearance

Alcohol has almost as many calories as pure fat so drinking can cause weight gain. It is also a diuretic so it dehydrates the body and can make skin look pale and grey. Drinking affects normal sleep patterns too, leading to restless nights and tiredness.
Your approach to quitting alcohol is not going to be exactly the same as the next person. However, there are many things you can do to find yourself on the right path to a better life in the near future. Once you are alcohol free you can really begin to enjoy your life!