Talking to Your Student About Alcohol

For many parents and students, bringing up the subject of alcohol is not easy. Start the discussion now and continue the conversation often; this is not a one time talk. Here are some tips for starting the conversation with your student.

Try having the conversation in the car since you don’t have to look each other in the eyes, and neither of you can run away from the topic.
Join forces with another adult that your student trusts such as an aunt, uncle, older sibling, cousin, coach, etc. Utilize these people to also have the conversation with your student about this topic.
As you start your student's college exploration journey, after a campus tour, or before the move into their residence hall, you can easily bring up lifestyle changes that college will bring.
While they are at home for holidays, Spring Break, or throughout the summer is a great time to check in.
Bring friends into the conversation. For example, if your student’s best friend is also gearing up for college, ask their thoughts on alcohol when you are all together. Make it more of a dialogue.
After watching a movie portraying drug use together, you can ask questions to gauge your student's opinion on drugs.
You know your student - any time it feels right to bring up alcohol or other drugs is a good time.

Follow the 3 R’s

Recognize the social aspects of alcohol. Recognize that the student might see positive aspects of drinking such as networking and socializing. Recognize many students find it easier to follow the crowd and the majority of students do drink at some point in college. Recognize that simply telling your student to abstain will not work.

Relate to your student as best as you can, remember when you were 18? Remember that feeling of leaving your family and gaining freedom? Relate that feeling to what your student is going through; heading off into the unknown with tremendous academic strain. Remind them that you do understand.

Responsibility is now in the hands of your student. Discuss the privileges and the consequences that come with that responsibility. No one will be there in college to make sure they make the right decisions; it is up to the student. Discussing what this responsibility means is very important.

Adapted from The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids