What To Do If My Teenager Starts Drinking Alcohol?
Alcohol has been a substance familiar to humans for many centuries. Already in ancient times, it was used for religious and cultural purposes, being a key element of different rituals and traditions. Already in the most modern era of history, alcohol began to be a special guest in celebrations and moments of leisure. Currently, there is no social event in which drinks containing 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.
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 we just mentioned. Impulsiveness, the need to fit in, fears and insecurities… are important factors that drive adolescents to start drinking. This generates great concern in parents, who feel helpless when their children begin 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 teenagers start using alcohol.
1. Talk to your child about it
Many parents try to act as if they don’t know their children drink. They avoid talking about it because they don’t know how to approach it However, this attitude will not contribute to promoting a responsible attitude towards drinking. It is the obligation of adults to guide adolescents, always with a calm and understanding attitude. It’s not about giving a talk full of criticism and judgment. In fact, it is advisable to listen to that child first and understand why and why 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.
2. Put yourself in their place
Many adults take a very critical stance, with zero tolerance for alcohol. However, this behavior rarely allows children to reduce their consumption. On the contrary, it usually encourages the opposite reaction, hidden from parents. It is essential that adults remember their teenage years and try to approach 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 involved with alcohol. In addition, it is advisable that they mark unbreakable red lines, such as driving while drunk, spending a certain amount of money on alcohol or buying drinks under the legal minimum age.
Another important issue has to do with setting an example for teenagers. It makes no sense for adults to prohibit consuming alcohol when they themselves do it in front of their children. Parents are the role models for young people, they are the mirror in which they look at themselves. Therefore, being a positive model in this sense is essential.
Some young people are particularly vulnerable to falling into alcohol consumption because In their families there are parents or other members with consumption problems Other stressors such as economic difficulties or domestic violence also influence this risk.
5. Teach your child to say no
Many teenagers end up drinking under the influence of social pressure. Although it is natural that during adolescence great importance is placed on the peer group, it is key that adults educate their children so that they learn to say NO. This involves creating a climate at home where there are assertive interactions and the adolescent’s voice is heard. If in her own home her opinion is never taken into account and what she should do is imposed on her without negotiations, what is expected is that she will assume that she should always do what she is told to do from the outside. Develop a critical spirit and learn to set limits It is a key learning that parents must teach. Thus, this child will be more likely to refuse to drink even if her friends insist.
6. Cultivate your self-esteem
Alcohol consumption is for many young people a way to anesthetize your insecurities Although at the moment this substance allows people to disinhibit themselves 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 increasingly intense once the body returns to its original state.
Therefore, those adolescents who feel less comfortable with themselves tend to be more vulnerable to starting to drink. They fall into the trap of seeking relief from their inner discomfort in alcohol, which paradoxically ends up harming them more. Cultivating adolescents’ self-esteem from home is a way to build a shield that protects them from possible problems like this. Letting him know that he is valid, extolling his abilities, trusting him, giving him affection and affection, encouraging him with his goals… are examples of actions that parents can take to educate self-confident young people.
