Preventing Teen Drinking and Driving

Although statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicate that teen drinking and driving has decreased over the last 20 years, the problem is far from solved. To many of us, it may seem baffling that this is even still an issue.  After all the stories of death, injury, and prison time that surround drunk driving, how can teens even consider it?

A recent survey by USA Today revealed some startling survey results about what may be going on in the mind of teenagers when they get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.  According to the results, 23% of teens admit to having driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs at least one time. What is truly shocking is that of this number, almost 20% believe that alcohol improves their driving. This number rises even higher with those who drive under the influence of marijuana, with 34% believing they are better drivers while high than they are sober. Clearly skewed perception is playing a vital role in the continuation of this epidemic.

So what can parents do to spread the truth about the deadly and permanent consequences that come with driving under the influence of any substance?

First of all, don’t assume that your kids already know all the dangers of drinking and driving, or that they don’t need to hear it again. Just because your teen learns about it once in a driver’s education class, doesn’t mean they don’t need you as a parent to continue the conversation. Don’t be a afraid to ask your teen probing questions such as, “Do your friends drink?” or “Have any of them ever gotten behind the wheel of a car after drinking?” If the answers are yes, thank them for being honest and then take a few minutes to lay out some real stories and consequences that have happened to teens who have driven drunk.  

Remind your teen about the Zero Tolerance law. They may think that getting pulled over after one beer will have no consequences, but in reality anyone under the age of 21 caught with any trace of alcohol in their system could face serious consequences, such as losing their license for three to six months.  

Another important step is to know and communicate with the parents whose homes your teen is going to. Over 28% of teens reported that they had consumed alcohol or drugs at a supervised party. Make a pact with the other parents that are hosting your teen and their friends to keep an eye on teens coming and going from their homes to ensure no one is leaving (or coming) less than 100% sober.

Even when your teen gets angry, embarrassed, or flat out annoyed with your efforts to prevent them from drunk driving, don’t ever give up. Someday, it could save their life.

By Crosswinds Caribbean Mountain Academy

Crosswinds is a non-profit organization that provides in-home family counseling and residential treatment for struggling teens. 

Communicating with Your Teen

When a child stops talking to his parents it can be an emotional struggle on the parents.  It often feels like the child doesn’t trust or want help from his parents.  This can be both frustrating and very worrisome for parents.  So why do kids stop talking and communicating to those they used to look up to and rely on in their lives?  Why is it so difficult for a child to see that parents have their best intentions in mind, and just want to help?  These are good questions that have plagued good parents for many years.

When a child is struggling to talk it often represents something very specific to the child.  Teenagers specifically are well known to not communicate directly, yet they may use many non-verbal communication styles.  In working with children Attachment Communication Training (ACT) can be quite useful.  The concept uses four steps in engaging with your child.  First, share this can be powerful to children to hear their parents talk about how they are feeling.  Make sure to be brief and concise, but honest in your sharing.  Be observant to your own body language and tone of voice when sharing.  Second, listen it’s important to be non-judgmental when doing this.  Again gauge your nonverbal communication and be sure to have an empathy attitude (putting yourself in their shoes) when talking with your child.  Third, re-state summarizing what they are telling you.  This helps the child feel like they are being heard and strengthens your ability to listen to them more intentionally.  Finally, feedback makes sure that the child expressing themselves in verbal communication gets a chance to tell their parents how listened to how they felt.  This shows the child that you value their opinion and make them a priority in listening to them and not just talking to them.

In working to have communication with a child it’s important to praise success.  When you observe even the beginnings of the communication you want from child affirm this in them.  Encouraging this behavior is not done through gifts or material possession, but is most effective through verbal and non-verbal approval in words and expression. As we build our children up in both praise and affirmation, they learn to respond to us better and become more comfortable in their communication with us.  Keep your intentions of getting your child to talk at the core of your communication interactions, and not having your child hear your thoughts on their choices. 

By Grant Anderson, M.A.

Grant holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Trinity International University and has been counseling adolescents and families for nearly five years. Grant works with students at Caribbean Mountain Academy in the Dominican Republic, addressing therapeutic issues, such as attachment disorders, substance abuse, anger issues, and behavioral problems. He also has experience with adults and families, dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. 

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