Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base
Find general information about drug and alcohol use among teens, including the effects, risks, and dangers associated with alcohol and drug abuse.
At EXCEL ACADEMY, it's not just about staying sober, but it's about a new way of living. A way of living that offers peace and growth. Peace, by coming to terms with the pain, trauma and guilt from the past. And growth, not just through sobriety, but by growing and maturing for throughout our lives.
EXCEL ACADEMY is dedicated to helping students become the best of what they can hope to become - despite any addictions or character shortcomings - by giving them life skills for dealing with all that life has in store for them - both the good and bad.
So your college student is coming home for the holidays. The semester is over, finals are finished and there's enough dirty laundry to keep you busy for a week. You have planned family get-togethers, scheduled shopping excursions and are expecting to spend some quality time with your child.
Think again. 
Your fledgling grown-up has flown the nest and won't come back quite the same as when they left. They have been on their own for some time now and expect to have some control over their schedule so their priority list may not exactly be in sync with yours.
Here are some ways to avoid conflict and enjoy the experience of having your chickadee back home.
Give them some space.
Students have just finished a grueling schedule of testing, which usually means lots of late nights cramming. They're going to be tired... very tired. Don't plan any
activities for their first few days back. Let them sleep in and get reacquainted with the rhythm of the house.
Set ground rules.
This is still your house and this is still your child. Make sure they understand your expectations about things like curfews, participating in family gatherings, and personal
behavior such as drinking or smoking. Like it or not, and legal or not, many college students start to drink alcohol when they leave home. Make sure your young adult
knows this is not acceptable behavior and you will not tolerate it while they're home.
Be flexible.
That being said, be willing to negotiate on some things. Perhaps the curfew you had set when your child was in high school isn't appropriate now that they're older.
Maybe they have plans with their friends that conflict with an activity you had planned. Try to work out a compromise on these issues.
Communicate.
Make some time to just relax and kick back with your child, one-on-one. Cook their favorite food or rent a movie, pop some popcorn and enjoy a simple night in. Take this
opportunity to chat about their college experience so far. If you have noticed changes in their personality or behavior, explore that (in a non-judgmental way, as much as
possible).
Be the parent.
If your young adult has picked up a negative behavior, like drinking, have the talk with them, again. Remind them about the legal drinking age and
drill them on the dangers of drunk driving. Most importantly, model the behavior you want them to emulate. If you do include alcohol in your festivities, be moderate in
your consumption and make sure any over-indulgers are kept from driving.
They may look grown up, and they may truly believe they are smarter than you, but parents still influence even their college-age kids. Remember, it won't be long before they're not coming home anymore, so enjoy!