According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), research has shown that the brain continues to develop into the early twenties. The pre-frontal cortex, the part that controls reasoning and cognitive ability takes the longest to mature. This is why drinking, especially heavy drinking, before the brain finishes development affects memory and damages this pre-frontal cortex region.  Since this region is responsible for the ability to learn complex tasks and controls impulses and organizing, this is a significant loss.  Some studies indicate that this damage may be permanent. The hippocampus, which is responsible for forming new memories, was noticeably smaller in youth who abuse alcohol than in their non-drinking peers. Additionally, studies show that alcohol use in adolescence decreased ability in planning and executive functioning, memory, spatial operations and attention – all of which are important to academic performance and future functioning.

1. Clearly, real physical brain damage caused by alcohol is a danger for teenagers.
2. Most teens do not know that a 12 oz can of beer = a 5 oz. glass of wine = a 1.5 oz. shot of hard liquor.  They think beer and wine are safer.
3. Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholic adults that those who start to drink at 21.
4. In Sacramento County, 11 percent of 7th graders, 29 percent of 9th graders and 38 percent of 11th graders have used alcohol in the last 30 days.

What can a concerned parent do to help their children successfully resist alcohol?

• Be Involved – spend time, know where your child is and who they are with.
• Communicate – be clear about family values, listen, talk about their problems, practice how they could say “no” when offered a drink by friends.
• Walk the Walk – set high standards of responsible alcohol use for yourself.
• Lay Down the Law – make sure they know your rules and the punishment involved in drinking.
• Praise, Reward, Show Love – Catch them being wonderful, form a strong bond.

“I wish I’d known…how important it is to be awake when your teen comes home in the evening. Give him or her a big hug, and take a deep sniff for tell-tale signs of alcohol or marijuana use.  Engage your teen in conversation about the evening to make sure your teen is sober and coherent before going to bed.  Teens are awake and talkative late at night and you’ll probably find these conversations enlightening and insightful.” By Christy Crandell local author of Lost & Found: A Mother and Son Find Victory Over Teen Drug Addiction

Want more ideas and resources?  Go to www.parentsempowered.org