The Reality of Alcohol and Students in Israel

The hushed fact is that many teens spending a gap year in Israel will be drinking alcohol.   Another hushed fact is that tens of gap year students will be treated for alcohol poisoning or other alcohol related injuries and illnesses during their time in Israel. In past years, gap year students have even died because of alcohol poisoning.  The legal drinking age in Israel is 18 years old.  For American youth in particular, this is an exciting novelty and it is tempting to enter pubs and drink.

Do the math: The availability of alcohol + the absence of parents + the desire to fit in = Potentially risky behavior

Many young adults believe they are immune to getting hurt, that nothing bad will happen even if they engage in some risky behaviors.  Many parents think their child is safe in Israel, will be monitored well, will act responsibly and will not drink, after all he/she is going to Israel to grow and improve.  Both sides are totally unrealistic!! 

This false narrative can lead to parents not addressing a serious issue.  We urge you all to have this important conversation about alcohol with your child before he/she leaves for Israel!!  EMA Care’s goal and your goal are exactly the same:  We want to keep your child safe.

EMA Care suggests these 5 points be discussed:

    1. Availability of alcohol in Israel
    2. Your desire that he/she not drink, but an understanding it may be tempting.
    3. Never drink alone, and even though driving a car is not an issue for students here, one person in the group should not drink to assure safe behaviors
    4. Explain how to lower their risk if drinking:
    • eat a meal before going out, 
    • alternate an alcohol beverage with non-alcohol beverage, 
    • always know what you are drinking, 
    • moderation is the key - having a drink does not mean getting drunk!! 
    • male and female alcohol tolerance is very different: At a maximum (which we do not recommend) young women should drink no more than 1 drink/hour, while young men should drink no more than 2 drinks/hour.  More than this amount cannot be absorbed by the body.
    1. Explain “high risk drinking”. Any type of binge drinking, alcoholic games, drinking to get drunk, and drinking alcohol too quickly is dangerous. Any pub or get together where the majority of people are drunk is dangerous. Ask your child how he/she would get out of a situation like that.

Open communication is the key. This is your child’s opportunity to be mature and take responsibility for his/her choices! Don’t be afraid to bring it out in the open!

EMA Care wishes you and your children a wonderful, safe year in Israel!

EMA Care provides medical concierge, case management, and patient advocacy services to tourists, students and residents of Israel. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.


http://healthcareisrael.com
 

052-639-8444    info@healthcareisrael.com 


Facebooktwittergoogle_pluslinkedin

×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

How To Avoid Food Poisoning in Israel
Travel health insurance - luxury or necessity?

Our Latest Blogs

25 June 2023
Medical Checklist for Gap Year Students It's probably safe to say that the Gap year packing list your child received did not include a medical supplies checklist. There are many reasons to give your kids some medical supplies and medicines before the...
31 October 2021
You have decided to make your Aliyah and currently take prescription medications. How can you continue with your medication regimen in Israel? How can you ensure that your medications are available in Israel and how do you communicate the need for th...
17 October 2021
During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people have been worried about the upcoming Flu season. But to everyone’s surprise, the numbers in the southern hemisphere were the lowest they have been in a long time. “Never in my 40-year career have we ever s...

EMA Care in the News

05 September 2021
Medical Care during the Holidays can be tricky in Israel especially if you do not speak Hebrew. During the holidays, many medical offices and hospitals are operating on Shabbat mode. Shabbat mode means that personnel is cut to minimum staffing, many ...
19 July 2021
Over the years, we've been approached by people who've asked us about different kinds of diets and food plans. Intermittent fasting has become very popular over the last few years. It is a method of dieting that restricts the amount of time you are a...
11 July 2021
 Telemedicine is a great option for caring for geriatric populations in Israel. This is especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the years, we’ve had many clients who care for their older, dependent parents. Take our clients, the A fam...

What Our Clients Say

Our COVID-19 WhatsApp informational group

Thank you so much for your help. I can't tell you how this Whatsapp group helps all of us. It makes everyone so much more relaxed to have real good information and have somewhere to ask questions, I am so grateful!
Read More...

Our COVID-19 WhatsApp informational group

I want to express my appreciation for these very informative updates.

Thank you so much

Read More...

Entry to Israel services

Your team was so attentive to my needs. Everyone was so incredibly quick to respond and were proactive when they were able!

Read More...

Interview with Dr. Mobeen & Dr. Eliana Aaron

Many thanks for your hour-long session on Dr. Syed's YouTube channel. This is the best Hasbara Israel could wish for!

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thank you for the zoom (and all your updates). It was great. I wish the news was like that. Straight forward, factual, unemotional.  Bravo to both of you ladies!! 

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thanks so much for your time and attention! It was excellent! Thank you guys so much for organizing.

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thank you! Very helpful and comprehensive.

Read More...

WhatsApp groups

I really appreciate being apart of your WhatsApp groups. It keeps me informed and up to date!

Read More...

Ema Care WhatsApp groups

I have been following your updates closely and I really appreciate your posts and I know that I am reading accurate information 

Read More...

Recommended by an Infectious Disease Specialist

My experience with Ema Care has been so positive that I wanted to share it in case it could help someone else. Eight days ago my daughter, a Shanah Bet student, called to say she wasn’t feeling well and had symptoms of Covid-19. I was put in touch with an Infectious Disease specialist who recommended Ema Care. I reached Dr. Eliana Aaron easily and signed my daughter up. The next morning, Ema Care gave my daughter a telehealth exam and provided her with prescriptions, as well as a list of

...
Read More...