Each year over 1,800 college-aged students die from unintentional alcohol-related incidents, and that alarming number is something Enterhealth, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Dallas, is trying to prevent. With a new school year comes the likely chance that college and high school students will be exposed to drugs or alcohol. The start of school is just around the corner and Enterhealth has useful information to help parents talk to their children about peer pressure and educate them about the dangers of adolescent drinking and drug use. Dr. Maria Elizabeth Weidmer-Mikhail, MD, is a psychiatrist at Enterhealth and is trained in child, adolescent and adult therapy. She offers a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about helping prevent addiction in adolescents. She says that families should take into consideration their own drinking habits and make sure their messaging aligns with their family’s behavior and values. In addition, since children see their peers using drugs or alcohol, parents must reinforce that it is not healthy or normal to use these substances in high school or college. Studies have shown that the earlier a person begins using alcohol, the more likely they are to succumb to abuse or addiction in the future. Alcohol and drugs injure the brain, and heavy exposure can cause long-term memory problems, often decreasing short-term memory as well as causing difficulty in processing social and emotional information. Weidmer-Mikhail encourages parents to be honest and educate their children, not try to scare or punish them.

“Parents need to know that caution is something that needs to be taught, as it isn’t something that usually comes naturally to children,” said Weidmer-Mikhail. “Research suggests that regardless of parenting styles, adolescents who are aware that their parents would be upset with them if they drank are less likely to do so, highlighting the importance of communication between parents and teens as a proactive measure against underage alcohol use. Parents and educators need to be realistic and realize that more children have access to drugs and alcohol than they may think. It needs to start with educating children and teens about the dangers of drinking and taking drugs. Until the age of 25, their brains are still developing, and excessive drinking and drug use can leave a significant impact on their brain. When it comes to marijuana, regular use by adolescents can lead to an IQ drop of eight points, and can permanently damage their short-term memory. They also put themselves at a higher risk of having a heart attack. If you suspect something is going on don’t be judgmental, instead reach out and talk to your children about the concerns you may have. If a problem is there, you may need to help a child change by encouraging them to make new friends or staging an intervention. Addiction is a treatable brain disease, and with proper treatment the chance for a successful recovery is high.”

Besides injuring the brain, excessive use of alcohol or binge drinking can put your college-aged or high school-aged child in vulnerable situations. Excessive drinking can cause alcohol poisoning and motor vehicle accidents. Researchers have estimated the following rates and prevalence of alcohol-related problems involving college students between the ages of 18 and 24: more than 690,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking, More than 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault of date rape, nearly 600,000 students receive unintentional injuries while under the influence, about 25 percent of students report academic consequences and more than 150,000 develop an alcohol related health problem. All things that can dramatically impact a student’s life.