5 Steps for Dealing With a Problem Drinker or Alcoholic Teen

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Finding out that your child has become addicted to alcohol is a challenging situation for any parent to face. But it is always possible to learn how to help an addicted child. Basic info on where to start here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Seek Treatment Referral
Warning Signs
How Can You Help?
First, Open a Conversation
Second, Stop Enabling
Third, Stage an Intervention
Fourth, Continue Seeking Treatment
Fifth, Attend Family Therapy and Support Groups
What If Your Child Doesn’t Accept Rehab?
Your Questions

Seek Treatment Referral

If you are watching your child suffer the consequences of alcohol abuse and wish to help him or her reclaim full health and happiness, you should begin by seeking professional help. In fact, the first step to getting help is to search for respectful, knowledgeable treatment referrals.

But where do you start to look for help?

What treatment approach is the best?

We answer here and invite your questions in the section at the end of the page.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol abuse can affect your child at almost any age, from the teenage years to adulthood. It can also become a problem for any individual, regardless of your:

Income level
Region of the U.S. where you live
Gender

It is natural for parents to think that alcoholism only occurs in other households; however, addiction does not discriminate. Even straight-A students can fall prey to the dangers of alcohol abuse. The important thing is to watch for signs of abuse in order to know when it’s time to help an addicted child quickly and effectively.

Common signs of a drinking problem among teenagers include:

A decreased interest in physical appearance.
Asking for money without a good explanation or stealing items.
Increased obsession with privacy, such as locking the bedroom door at all times.
Sudden lack of interest in schoolwork and other responsibilities or activities.

Some common signs of addiction in all ages include the following:

Confusion
Decreased appetite and unexplained weight loss
Drowsiness
Memory problems
Sudden change in personality or behaviors, such as increased irritability

Part of knowing how to help an addicted child is becoming aware of these signs and knowing when to intervene.

How Can You Help?

First, Open a Conversation

It is important to talk to your child about the alcohol use. If you want to truly help a child struggling with alcoholism, it is important not to avoid the problem. Some parents ignore the issue due to embarrassment or denial. Rather than blaming themselves or hoping the substance abuse will go away on its own, parents need to understand that their child’s alcoholism does not reflect on them; addiction is a disease.

To open a conversation, wait for a moment of sobriety.

Approach your child when he or she is not currently using alcohol. An important part of knowing how to help an addicted child involves trusting your own instincts as a parent. Wait for a time when you are both calm and at ease, rather than letting emotions to spiral out of control. Instead of expressing accusation, talk calmly, yet seriously, about your concerns.

Second, Stop Enabling Behaviors

It is natural for parents to want to help their children. However, alcoholic children need to learn to deal with the negative consequences of their behavior. Do not lie to teachers, bosses or other family members about your child’s alcohol abuse. Instead, discuss the repercussions if your child does not stop abusing alcohol.

For a teenager, this might mean having a car taken away. For a grown child, this could mean that you will no longer lend money or bail your child out of tricky situations. Knowing how to help an addicted child includes using your own knowledge of your family and the specific situation.

Third, Stage an Intervention

Meet with an addiction counselor or therapist before the intervention, but without your child. You can call us to talk about how to work with a professional interventionist. Our treatment programs offer the full spectrum of family services, and we can connect you with a successful interventionist with decades of experience.

Whatever you do … don’t try it on your own.

Then, discuss about how you’ll approach the child and what each of you will say. Leave the heaving lifting to the professional. S/He is trained in how to address objections. And your child will have many! You can also discuss about possible reactions with the therapist. You may want to write down what kind of behaviors will not be tolerated and what will be the consequences if they appear, as well as writing down all the things that were lost after your child’s behavior has changed.

The intervention is successful even if your child refuses to go to rehab, because at least the family has united to set a boundary. This means life will not be the same for your child, and a process has started that will one day result in him or her getting treatment.

Fourth, Continue Seeking Treatment

If your child is unable to stop abusing alcohol on his/her own, professional treatment is an absolute necessity. Look for rehab center that offer options for teenagers and younger patients. Inpatient treatment can help by removing your child from a harmful peer group and providing professional guidance and supervision during detoxification.

Fifth, Attend Family Therapy and Support Groups

In addition to learning how to help an addicted child, parents should also focus on the whole family. Dealing with an alcoholic child can be draining for any family, so it is also important to learn healthy coping mechanisms, avoid extra stress, and seek support. Parents can benefit from support groups that specifically address the challenges faced by parents of alcohol abusers.

What If Your Child Doesn’t Accept Rehab?

Offering help and providing your child with rehabilitation options may be all you can do. In most cases alcohol abusers overcome addiction because of their own will and decision. You should not put too much pressure on yourself if your child does not want to quit.

If your treatment offers are constantly refused, you can work on doing research together to show him/her why they should get better. Even though they might refuse treatment, you should continue visiting family support meetings and find help for yourself on how to deal with your inner struggles on this issue. The only other thing you can do is keep encouraging your child to go to treatment.

Your Questions

Are you still afraid of addressing your child addiction? Please leave us your questions or comments in the section below. We’ll try to respond to you personally and promptly, or refer you to help.

Reference Sources: Ohio – Department of Youth Services: Project Know – Understanding your addiction: How to Help an Addict or Alcoholic Child

About the author

Lee Weber

Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.