Self-Regulation of Alcohol Marketing Impacting Youth

A recent study conducted by Norris Cotton Career Center (NCCC) and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) revealed a correlation between likable alcohol advertisements and underage drinking trends, including binging and initial intake of alcohol. Since the alcohol industry self-regulates their marketing, and claims that their efforts are significant in reducing the impact on underage drinking, it’s time for parents to take stronger measures to prevent their children from increasing their potential to one day seek out affordable drug rehab centers such as Yellowstone Recovery.

Parental Wake Up

Many parents simply assume their children aren’t drinking, yet this study revealed that over 66% of the teen population 2013 had tried alcohol, over 34% had consumed alcohol in the past month, and more than 20% had recently participated in binge drinking. In short, that means that parents with two children can assume that at least one of them has tried drinking.

Glamorous Living

It’s no secret that many alcohol ad campaigns have demonstrated a glamorous lifestyle on some level. They also use sex appeal and an image of manliness to create an overall image that most teens would aspire to. Couple this with peer pressure, and real life role models who drink, and you have multiplied the chances of a teen taking that first drink. You can participate in lobbying for the alcohol companies to come under closer scrutiny when it comes to their marketing techniques, but those changes aren’t going to happen overnight in any case. That’s why it’s up to parents to give their teens something else to pattern their lives after.

Tips for Parents

Rather than wait until you have to seek out Orange County drug rehab centers to do something about your teens’ behaviors, why not address the issue now? Offer your teens a role model that doesn’t make alcohol a priority.

• Talk with teens about close friends or family who have problems with drinking. Discuss some of the impacts that alcohol has had on their lives, and how that didn’t have to happen had another route been taken.
• Reduce your own alcohol consumption so that you aren’t consistently drinking in front of your children.
• Host enjoyable evenings with friends and family, but don’t allow any alcohol at these events. It’s important for teens to see that you can have a good time without drinking.
• If you do watch movies or shows where the characters drink alcohol, mention how unrealistic the portrayal is, or talk about the mistakes the people make if the show is realistic about alcohol use.
• Talk with your teen about the issue of peer pressure and what elements of it bother them the most. Your teen could be experiencing peer pressure when it comes to drugs, alcohol, or other unhealthy habits.

Though you want to monitor your teen and share healthy options, it’s also important to demonstrate an approachable affect and to trust in your teen. Let your teens know you are there when they need to talk, but give them space to grow on their own, and increasing amounts of trust, so they can demonstrate to you that they are making wise choices. For more information on teen drinking, and parenting tips when it comes to drugs and alcohol, contact Yellowstone Recovery today.