The legal drinking age in the US is 21 years old. Admittedly, most of us will try alcohol before turning 21. However, there’s a big difference between trying a beer or two and drinking on a regular basis. When it comes to your teen and how much they are drinking, it’s important to realize that it should only be a small amount.
If you suspect that your teen has been drinking on a regular basis, it’s important that you deal with it as soon as possible. While having a drink every so often won’t harm your child, if they are drinking on a regular basis, they could end up damaging their body.
Source for photo
Worried about your teenager’s drinking habits? Yes – you are in the right place, here is everything that you need to know about dealing with their drinking.
Talk to them
The first thing that you need to do is speak to your teenager about alcohol, including the effects and dangers of drinking. It’s important that while you give your child all the information that they need, that you don’t lecture them.
Studies have shown that when teenagers are lectured, they don’t take the information in. That’s why, taking a casual approach when talking to them is so important. Get your point across but don’t lecture, instead talk openly and honestly with them. Allow them to ask any questions that they might have, and always aim to answer them honestly.
Explain that you are always there for them
Tell your child that no matter how drunk they are, you are always just a phone call away. Often, when a teen gets drunk, they are scared to call their parents because they think that they’ll be in trouble. However, it’s important that your child knows that this isn’t the case and that you are there to help.
When they’ve been drinking, teenagers can end up getting themselves into trouble. So it’s important that you ensure that your child knows that you are always there if they ever need help.
Get professional help
If you think that your teen’s drinking is becoming a problem, don’t try to deal with it alone, get help. Alcohol addiction is a complex condition, and one that needs expert treatment if your teen has any chance of getting over it.
There are various types of help on offer, from alcohol counselors to rehabilitation centers like Sanford House. The kind of help that you get for your child will depend on how bad their drinking problem is, and also, what you think is the best option for them.
While some expert help may be free, it’s important to realize that you will probably have to pay for your child’s treatment. Unless, of course, you have an insurance policy that will cover the cost of it.
If you are worried about your teen’s drinking habits, don’t ignore it, talk to them. It’s important that if there is a problem, that it is dealt with as quickly as possible. As this gives your child the best chance of recovering and not causing damage to themselves.
About Jammie Morey
Speak Your Mind