How To Address Teenage Alcohol Use

If you have a teenager, chances are they may try alcohol. You may not like this but think back to when you were a teen. Did you try alcohol? Don’t be a hypocrite! Speak to your teen about the dangers of alcohol and the consequences of underage drinking. If they drink too much, they could die. If they get behind the wheel, they could kill themselves or others. Your teen will test boundaries and will be curious about alcohol. Remember, it’s apart of most cultures. Be open and honest about alcohol and you won’t have to worry about your teen.

1. Keep your lines of communication open

If you don’t want your teen to drive drunk or get into a car with a friend who’s been drinking, make sure they know they can call you no matter what. It is better that you pick them up at 2 a.m. versus going to the morgue to identify their body.

“Keeping lines of communication open is critical if you want to ensure the safety if your teenager” suggests Sam Miller, a life coach for teenagers from Parenting Teenagers Academy. “It’s much better to have to deal with a small incident that you can sort out at home then it is to have to deal with the police.”

2. Stay calm no matter what 

Did you try alcohol when you were a teen? How did your parents react? How did it make you feel? You may not like it that your teen is drinking, but losing your temper won’t help the situation. Take a deep breath and remain calm. Remind your teen about the dangers of drinking. Also, you may want to take them to an AA meeting or Al-Anon meeting so they can get information first-hand from alcoholics and those who live or have lived with alcoholics. Have them speak to a teen who’s serving time for drinking and driving. It could ‘scare’ them straight!

3. Lead by example

The drinking age in the U.S. is 21 while it’s 18 in Europe and other countries. The bottom line is to be an example for your teen. If you don’t drink alcohol every day (in excess) your teen will follow your example. The caveat is how well your teen handles peer pressure. They could succumb to it and over drink. Remind your teen of the danger of drinking in excess. They could get alcohol poisoning and die! Remind your teen that it is better they lose friends than their life.

4. Educate your teenager

If your teen drinks and drives they could die. That’s the bottom line. They could also kill others. The laws in the U.S. and around the world are not like they were 20 or more years ago. A teen could get jail time for drinking and driving. “Remind them that drinking and driving is not worth it” says Christian youth speaker Dean Adams. “Please tell your teen to call you no matter what. You may not like having to pick up your teen from a party but it’s better than the alternative.”

5. Keep your lines of communication open

If you don’t want your teen to drive drunk or get into a car with a friend who’s been drinking, make sure they know they can call you no matter what. It is better that you pick them up at 2 a.m. versus going to the morgue to identify their body.

6. Get involved with your teens social circles

How well do you know your teen’s friends and parents? They may not be happy that you want to meet their friends, let alone their parents. It’s your job as a parent to know who your teen’s friends are. Get to know the parents. If they allow their teen’s to drink, tell you teen of the consequences of that. For example, if their friend’s parents allow teens to drink at their home and something happens, they could be held responsible. Laws are changing, especially in the U.S., with regards to ‘social parties’ held at private homes. Parents can face jail time. Is it worth it to hold social parties? Not if you value your freedom.