What to do if my teenager starts drinking alcohol?

Alcohol is a substance familiar to humans for many centuries. Already in antiquity, this was used for religious and cultural purposes, being a key element of the different rituals and traditions. Already in the most modern era in history, alcohol began to be a special guest in celebrations and moments of leisure. Currently, there is no social event in which the drinks that contain it are not present.

Although research in this regard has determined that there is no recommended amount of alcohol consumption, the truth is that this knowledge has not been followed by a reduction in consumption. This is due, among other reasons, to the great roots that this substance has in our culture. Its price and availability make it an accessible and normalized drug in society. In addition, its effects allow people to escape, have fun, and be more open in interactions with others.

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Alcohol abuse: a danger to which adolescents are exposed

Adolescents represent a sector of the population that is especially vulnerable to drug use

. Generally, alcohol is the first substance that all young people try in their lives for the reasons just mentioned. Impulsiveness, the need to fit in, fears and insecurities... are important factors that drive adolescents to start drinking. This causes great concern for parents, who feel helpless when their children start to have their first drinks.

Therefore, in this article we will talk about what to do when a teenager starts drinking alcohol.

What to do when my teenager starts drinking alcohol

Next, we are going to discuss some important issues that parents should keep in mind if their teens start drinking.

1. Talk to your child about it

Many parents try to act like they don't know their kids are drinking. They avoid talking about it because they don't know how to approach it. However, this attitude will not contribute to fostering a responsible attitude towards drinking. It is the obligation of adults to guide adolescents, always with a calm and understanding attitude. It is not about giving a talk full of criticism and judgment. In fact, it is convenient to first listen to that child and understand why and for what she drinks. It is key that there is enough trust between parents and children to be able to talk about alcohol openly, in a warm and honest climate.

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2. put yourself in his place

Many adults take a very judgmental, zero-tolerance stance on alcohol. However, this behavior rarely allows children to reduce their consumption. On the contrary, it often encourages the opposite reaction behind the scenes of parents. It is essential that adults remember their teenage years and try to address their child with empathy., understanding that they are going through a difficult stage in which fitting into the group is the priority.

3. Report and mark red lines

Empathizing and listening does not mean that limits should not be set. Parents should clearly inform their children of the risks that alcohol entails. In addition, it is advisable that they mark unbreakable red lines, such as driving drunk, spending a certain amount of money on alcohol or buying drinks under the legal minimum age.

4. Preach by example

Another important issue has to do with setting an example for adolescents. It doesn't make sense for adults to forbid consuming alcohol when they themselves do it in front of their children. Parents are the role model for young people, they are the mirror where they look at themselves. Therefore, being a positive role model in this regard is essential.

Some young people are particularly vulnerable to alcoholism because they in their families there are parents or other members with consumption problems. Other stressors such as economic difficulties or intrafamily violence also influence this risk.

5. Teach your son to say that he does not

Many adolescents end up drinking influenced by social pressure. Although it is natural for the peer group to be of great importance in adolescence, it is essential that adults educate their children so that they learn to say NO. This happens by creating a climate at home where there are assertive interactions and the voice of the adolescent is heard. If in your own home your opinion is never listened to and what you should do is imposed on you without negotiations, what is to be expected is that you assume that you should always do what is indicated to you from the outside. Develop a critical spirit and learn to set limits it is a key learning that parents must teach. Thus, that child will be more likely to refuse to drink even if her friends insist.

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6. Cultivate your self-esteem

Alcohol consumption is for many young people a way to anesthetize your insecurities. Although at the moment this substance makes it possible to disinhibit people by inducing a state of relaxation, the truth is that alcohol does not favor the disappearance of difficult emotions. On the contrary, it contributes to making them more and more intense once the organism returns to its original state.

For this reason, those adolescents who feel less comfortable with themselves tend to be more vulnerable to starting to drink. They fall into the trap of looking for relief from their inner discomfort in alcohol, which paradoxically ends up hurting them more. Cultivating the self-esteem of adolescents from home is a way to build a shield that protects them from possible problems like this. Let him know that he is valid, praise his abilities, trust him, give him affection and affection, encourage him with their purposes… are examples of actions parents can take to raise confident young people themselves.