Parents Play a Key Role in Alcohol Awareness
There is no question that drinking is part of American culture.  Parents would be ignorant to assume their son or daughter wont be exposed to alcohol or drugs before they are 14 years old.  The real issue about alcohol is it effect on each individual.  Contrary to popular belief, alcohol actually effects people differently and at different stages of life.  Alcohol can actually have some benefits, as many studies have come out that have proven that small amounts of alcohol can actually have health benefits.  For children and teenagers, alcohol use can damage and interfere with normal brain development, which is one of the reason the drinking age has been set to 21 in all U.S. states.  It's not to torture young adults, but rather to create and foster a safer development.

Many parents don't realize the important impact they have on the children's lives as it relates to their relationship with alcohol and drugs .  Moreover, parenting style plays a huge part in how teens react to their parents.  In general, teens raised with warmth, appropriate boundaries and discipline tend to have more respect for their parents then the ones that are overly protective or harsh.
Parenting plays a vital role in teens alcohol awareness education.  It is estimated that as of 2009 adolescent alcohol consumption is actually going down, yet the number of teen drinkers is still very high.  Almost 40% of teenagers report trying alcohol before 8th grade and over 55% report being drunk at least once by 12 grade.  Most reports suspect these numbers are low.

Parenting Style
Much research suggests that parenting style can actually effect the behavior of teen drinking.  Parents need to better understand the impact they have on their children and recognize their parenting style makes a difference.

1. Parents who are authoritarians tend to dictate rules to their kids.  They are the ones bossing their kids around and barking out rules.  They will punish their kids but put little effort into rewards or show a lot of warmth.

2. Permissive parents are the ones that are not paying attention.  They essentially let their kids do what they want, set poor or diffuse boundaries and lack discipline.  They might think they are doing their teens a favor by being their friends, but in reality they are setting them up to fail by not showing them they care what they do.

3. Authoritative parents set appropriate boundaries, use warmth and love, and have appropriate discipline.  These are the parents that are most respected by their children because they know they are loved and cared for but also know what the boundaries are in their life.  

In a 2002 study, authoritative parents had children who exhibited less alcohol and drug abuse as well as better grades and peer relationships.  Don't allow yourself to become the kind of parent who could have prevented a problem with alcohol.  Learning skills in parenting classes or alcohol awareness classes can be a first big step.

Not surprising, there are over a hundred thousand fatalities each year due to alcohol abuse. According to the NHTSA web site there were 43,443 alcohol related traffic fatalities in 2005 in the USA. As a comparison, AIDS claimed 18,000 lives in 2003. 
So, what can be done to help reduce the number of overall deaths each year related to alcohol or other drug for both adults and adolescents?

Take an Alcohol Awareness Class or Minor in Possession Class Online

Here are the top 5 reasons this is a good idea:

1. Alcohol Awareness classes and drug education courses can be taken online vs. a classroom setting.  This allows for ease of use and accessibility.  Quality online programs offered by licensed providers are also effective for those who may need to take a class for a legal requirement in addiction to simply prevention education

2. Online classes are available 24 hours a day and can be taken from any location in the country.  Unlike an in person class, online courses are give the flexibility to study when you want.  There is no reason to miss time away from work or school, the courses can be taken anytime.

3. Online programs are about 1/2 the cost of an in person class and teach essentially the same material.  For some, a distance learning program might even be more effective for comprehending the concepts and understanding the materials presented.

4. A quality and trusted program will come with a certificate of completion that can be both mailed and downloaded immediately.  The certificate is a way for one's work, court, probation, school or family to know the course was successfully completed.

5. Online quality online classes will offer levels one, two and three programs in formats of 8, 16, and 24 hours.  These formats will be available for both Minor in Possession courses as well as standard alcohol awareness class education programs.

Alcohol awareness and drug education is a fast and effective way to teach skills to start the prevention process.  Many people have a misconception about what alcohol really does to the mind and body.  Get the fact and start today.

Alcoholics lie. That is part of the disease.  They lie mostly because they are trying to hide their drinking and habits that they know are wrong.  On an intellectual level, most drinkers and drug users know their drinking is a problem, but the addiction is so strong they often don't know how gain control over it or are ready to get help.

Case in point: Recently I had a patient of mine who I will call Billy.  Billy was had a girlfriend and 2 small children and worked as a plumber.  He woke up at 6am every day and got home at 5pm each night.  He attended his kids basketball and tennis games and from the outside looked like a model father and husband.  Billy had a dirty little secret.  After his kids went to sleep his wife would say, "are you coming to bed?".  His reply would be, "Just a few more minutes.".  His significant other would then fall asleep and Billy would begin drinking.  By the time he went to bed, and woke up, he was on his way to being sober again and the secret remained his.  The problem was Billy was diagnosed with liver cancer and when the doctor explained to his family why, he said, "well, Billy's drinking is likely the reason".  Everyone was in shock.

Alcoholism isn't always obvious.  For some, it's easy to tell, but for others, its a lie that they live year after year and not getting any help or assistance.  

This is a punch list of reasons you could have a problem: 

• Feel guilty or ashamed about your drinking.
• Lie to others or hide your drinking habits.
• Have friends or family members who are worried about your drinking.
• Need to drink in order to relax or feel better.
• “Black out” or forget what you did while you were drinking.
• Regularly drink more than you intended to.

One step we all can take to better understand our drinking is to take an online alcohol education program.  These courses are accessible and available to anyone and you don't have to worry about being viewed as a alcoholic.  They can be taken in the privacy of your own home or office.  Education is the key to change and is a critical factor in prevention at any age.

Alcohol and drug consumption among college and high school students is almost unavoidable.  Where your high school senior attends college is important both academically and socially. It's important for parents to prepare their soon to be young adults with as much information as possible as it relates to understanding the risks and consequences of alcohol and drug use. Here are some of the top ranking party schools in the United States along with links for educational alcohol awareness programs for each.

10. University of Texas, Austin
9. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL
8. Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL
7. Pennsylvania State University – University Park, PA
6. West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV
5. University of California — Santa Barbara, CA
4. University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA
3. University of Mississippi – University, MS
2. University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia

1. Ohio University - Athens, Ohio

With the University of Ohio at number one it might make you think they lack in many ways.  They maintain top notch athletic facilities and considered one of the most beautiful schools in the nation.  It’s no surprise that they picked up the number one slot for being a party school.  Perhaps their academic ranking can catch up to their robust reputation.
Alcohol awareness is nothing to joke about.  Every year it is estimated that 25% of all freshman deaths are related to alcohol or drugs.   Shockingly, it is estimated that 1,400 deaths occur each year to with 4 year college students related to alcohol.  It's time that we start placing as much emphasis on our children’s academic education as we do on their social education as well.  Alcohol and drug accidents can be avoided.  Prevention and education is the key to making substantial changes.  Consider taking a drug or alcohol awareness class today, before it's too late.

The more kids know about the risks of their decisions, the better and informed choices they can make.  Most college students over drink or abuse drugs simply because they do not fully understand the consequences or the limits of the substances they are using.  Most would also agree that had they known what might happen, they would have perhaps made a different choice.  Bad information is often passed down from one person to another.  Don’t let gossip guide your child’s decision making process.  A simple educational class that can be taken online might be the first line prevention against an accident or fatality.

Have you ever wondered how does alcohol affects stress levels? Although drinking alcohol in moderation does not really lead to high health risk, it should not be used to reduce stress to make you feel better. Actually, it affects the proper stress levels and much more. Moreover, alcohol and or other drugs may lead to addiction. You should consider alcohol awareness classes!  This can help you fully understand important aspects.

According to sources, alcohol reduces your possibilities to succeed. It is a factor that may facilitate or even predispose mental illness. Alcohol along with other bad substances definitely increase stress levels, some people even feel totally depressed after a hard night out or a drinking party. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse and alcoholism is becoming more common. We talk about anxiety disorders in all the range of conditions, or depressive disorders. 

If you have an alcohol problem, you need to talk about it. Moreover, while it may be a stress reliever at times, it does not mean that all those with depression may become consumers or abuse of substances. People must get to know the real consequences. Truth is, people with social anxiety cannot really note their condition, this is very sad. They don't even know how alcohol affects their whole system.

Unfortunately, many factors can lead people to consume alcohol ranging from their education, to the whole environment. How about enrolling on alcohol awareness courses? This is strictly linked to social interaction. For instance, social anxiety uses alcohol as a way to get rid of problems- at least in a temporary way. 

Yet, they don't know that later stress can become a huge problem so you better become aware. The consequences of stress, can reach the onset of diseases such as depression or anxiety. How alcohol does affects stress levels? Many times the consumption of alcohol may attenuate anxiety, sadness, even your negative thoughts or anticipatory distress. Yet, many taste alcohol and they become relaxed, they get confused and somehow believe they feel better. You shouldn't cope with stress in your life. Consider a brief 8 hour alcohol awareness class.