Newport Academy

During the holiday season, accidents caused by alcohol consumption increase astronomically, and teen abuse of alcohol increases as well – if for no other reason than adult usage increases, which in turn increases teenagers access to the substance. Whether or not your teen has abused alcohol in the past, there are steps you can take to help protect him or her from the risks associated with drinking during the holidays. Here are just a few:

• Don’t allow teen alcohol use in any amount. Some parents are permissive about alcohol use among teens all year but even parents who are stricter may relax and agree to either look the other way when teens drink or outright permit teen drinking. Don’t do it. Some teens may start behaviors that are permitted during the holidays, creating a year-round issue, and those who have a problem with the behavior already may be confused by the changing attitudes and movement of boundaries.
• Provide supervision at family gatherings and neighborhood parties. Family functions and holiday parties are common during this time of year, and while adults hit the eggnog, kids may sneak a few drinks of their own. Make sure that you make your expectations of behavior clear to your teens, offer them alternative entertainment, and ensure that there is proper supervision whether or not you intend to drink at these events.
• Talk to your teen about avoiding alcohol use. Discussing the behaviors you expect from your teen over the holiday season will set them up for success. Should they decide to break the rules, make sure that the consequences are clear – and follow through. Set the precedent now for the behavior that you expect for the rest of the year.
• Set up a “bailout” plan for your teen. In some cases, your teen may find themselves in a situation where their designated driver is no longer in a condition to drive. It’s important that he or she feel safe enough to call you for a sober ride, even with the understanding that you don’t condone their drinking or the drinking of their friends. Make it clear that it’s not worth the risk for them to accept a ride with someone who is impaired for any reason and that you will make sure they get home safely without reprimand.

How do you plan to help your teen avoid drinking during the holidays? Do you have incentives in place or tips to pass on to other parents for keeping tabs on teens? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

The eating and drinking habits of college students are not exactly universally believed to be well balanced. However, the days of gaining the “freshman 15” from eating a little too much comfort food while adjusting to being away from home for the first time or accidentally drinking a little too much occasionally at a frat party are gone. Today’s university students are well versed in both how to gain and lose weight and how to get drunk fast.

Frighteningly it seems many students, according to a new study from the University of Missouri, are purposely combining unhealthy eating and drinking habits. In behavior dubbed by the media as “drunkorexia” undergraduates drink alcohol in place of eating food. There appears to be three major reasons college students would consistently opt for alcohol over eating:

1. To “save” their calories for drinking in an attempt to not gain weight
2. To get drunk faster
3. They do not have enough money for both and so they choose to drink

New Study Finds Long-Term Cognitive Affects

Victoria Osborne, an assistant professor of social work and public health, observed the link between eating disorders and alcohol abuse. In her research, presented at the conference for the Research Society on Alcoholism, Osborne found that one out of six undergrads reported restricting food in order to drink more and women were three times as likely to engage in this behavior.

The study confirmed Osborne’s hypothesis that “drunkorexia” creates potentially harmful mental effects. Combining food deprivation with excessive drinking is a double whammy for the brain as it robs it of sufficient nutrition while causing damage to brain cells from the overload of alcohol. This mixture of dangerous behaviors may cause problems with attention, decision-making and the ability to learn.

‘Drunkorexia’ Puts Students in Harm’s Way

Not only are students who replace food calories with alcohol at risk for cognitive problems, but they are increasing their chance for suffering from physical harm as well. First, women metabolize alcohol differently than men. In general they will feel drunk faster, get to the point of sickness easier and have the potential to suffer lasting injury to critical organs at higher rates. In addition, those who combine alcohol abuse with calorie restriction have a greater likelihood of:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Violence
• Participating in dangerous sexual behavior
• Chronic disease as they age

Researchers urge college administrators to incorporate “drunkorexia” education into their campus outreach programs. Students need to understand how their choices now can possibly follow them throughout their life.

If you know someone who routinely eats less in order to drink more then urge them to get help sooner rather than later. Give us a call and we can answer any questions you may have about substance abuse or eating disorder treatment and rehabilitation.