Underage drinking at colleges comes with a host of consequences you see. These can range widely to include aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, violence and death.
Here are some things you should know and do if you suspect your child is drinking at school.
Underage drinking statistics
By the time teenagers turn 15, approximately 20 percent have had at least one drink. Millions of people 20 and younger consume alcohol, including individuals on college campuses.
Drink amounts
In the US, the standard drink contains .6 oz of pure alcohol, typically 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits. However, the amount of alcohol in one drink varies by beverage type. Therefore, this is also not necessarily a standard serving size. For example, your child can get oversized beers, overfull wine glasses or stiff mixed drinks.
Preventative measures
You could have trouble truly preventing underage drinking. That is because many factors can contribute to underage drinking, such as:
- Genetics
- Personality
- Maturity level
- Risk level
- Social factors
- Environmental factors
However, there are several preventative measures that you can try if you think your child is drinking at college. These include talking to them individually, contacting the school, involving other friends and family members, reaching out to a community prevention program and reporting the individual for violating underage drinking laws.
If you suspect your child is drinking at college, you can always have them screened. A healthcare practitioner typically does this and can help you stop problems before they escalate. It can also allow your children to speak to a knowledgeable adult about their situations. Regular screenings can be your best option. Then, you can have the appropriate treatment for your child’s situation. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options that professionals can offer.