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A new study suggests that parental practices can have an impact on the amount their children drink during their teenage years and perhaps later in life.

Researchers from the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland College Park found that parental supervision during high school years (14 to 18-years-old) has an impact on the amount that the teenagers drink in later years.

The longitudinal survey of over 1,200 students found that the more they drank in high school, the more they would drink during their college years.

Parental monitoring and student alcohol consumption were assessed during the summer before the students attended college and again a year later.

Further research is needed to discover exactly what type of parental supervision is most appropriate to curb alcohol and substance abuse.

The authors of the study wrote: "Parents and prevention practitioners can benefit from evidence that points to specific parenting practices that might help reduce the risk for heavy drinking."

However, they also warned that parents must allow for "appropriate levels of autonomy" that are "critical for young adult development".

A study released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse last year revealed that almost 50 per cent of America's 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or binge drink at least once a month.

Article published on 12/03/2008 by DryOutNow.com

DryOutNow.com provides highly practical help for people with alcohol problems, their friends and relatives. DryOutNow.com also provides free resources for healthcare professionals such as medical information and alcohol treatment guidelines.

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