Memorial Day is a chance for us to take a moment as a nation to reflect on the incredible gift of bravery and sacrifice that our soldiers have given to us so that we can all live the life that we love. At the same time, Memorial Day weekend is seen by many people as the beginning of summer, a chance for backyard barbecues in the sun with a cooler full of beers. Sadly, like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve, this holiday also sees a significant spike in alcohol-related fatalities. For teens, this is no different, and often it is worse. The vast majority of teen drinking falls into the category of binge drinking, which means getting drunk is the primary goal. When this is combined with the fact that many Memorial Day parties involve driving to parks or beaches, it is not hard to see that any parent should have a healthy degree of concern for what their teens are planning. Even if your children aren’t struggling with an identified alcohol use disorder, this is a time when concerned parents will talk with their children about the very real dangers ahead. They need to know that you take their safety seriously. Parents with teens who have an alcohol use disorder must be proactive and help create opportunities for sober holidays that are fun and exciting. This may sound daunting at first, but Destinations for Teens is dedicated to creating sustainable California residential drug treatment programs that are engaging for our valued clients. Reach out today using our online form or call us at 877.466.0620 to learn more about what we can do for you. All of our programs are gender-affirming and treat clients ages 13 to 17 years old.
Safe Teens Have a Plan for Sober Holidays
You can give your teens real alternatives and strategies for a sober Memorial Day. For example:
- Organize a family adventure — Bringing everyone together for an exciting destination holiday, like hiking exploring a new city, can give you a great opportunity for bonding. Let them invite friends or involve other families.
- Encourage them to plan their own alcohol-free event. Let your teens be creative and work together with friends who will commit to a safe activity. You don’t necessarily have to be with them on Memorial Day, but you can work together to develop ideas that are exciting for their peer group.
- Bring a buddy — If your teen is going to a larger event, brainstorm together and choose a close friend or two that can be trusted to watch out for each other.
- Learn what’s behind the holiday — Not every day off has to be a party. This might be an excellent opportunity to do some research together about the lives of our war heroes. Reach out to military families in your area, or visit sites that educate the public about the local people who gave their lives in service to the country.
With a bit of planning and a lot of open communication, this and every Memorial Day can be safe and sober. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, which is why our expert, compassionate clinical team makes sure to customize our treatment plans to each client’s needs in the following programs:
Contact Destinations for Teens Today
Don’t ever feel like you have to do this alone. If your teen is in trouble and you are running out of ideas, it may be time for alcohol addiction treatment. We specialize in therapy for teens 13 and up, but our programs are designed to support the whole family. Our teens feel like they are part of a caring community, with everything from surf therapy to intensive outpatient programs. Don’t wait; contact Destinations for Teens today by reaching out to us online or calling 877.466.0620.
References: White, W., & Kurtz, E. (2006). Linking addiction treatment and communities of recovery: A primer for addiction counselors and recovery coaches. Pittsburgh, PA