Warning Signs of Problem Drinking in Teens
Many kids experiment with drinking in their teen or even their preteen years. This can be a scary realization for parents. What can be even scarier is being concerned that your child's experimentation has led to problem drinking. If you think that your child might have a drinking problem, you may not know how to tell when your worries are justified. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) has made a list of warning signs you can watch for.
If you notice one or more of these warning signs, do the right thing—even if it's hard. Encourage your kid to stop drinking and/or to seek professional help.
A kid with a drinking problem is:
- Getting drunk on a regular basis.
- Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using.
- Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun.
- Having frequent hangovers.
- Feeling run-down, depressed or even suicidal
- Having "blackouts"—forgetting what he or she did while drinking.
- Having problems at school or getting in trouble with the law.
- For information and referrals, visit the National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information or call (800) 729-6686 toll-free.
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