Alcohol is one of the most commonly used and abused substances globally. Thousands of deaths in the United States are attributed to alcohol poisoning each year. Alcohol addiction can be devastating to teens and families. Teen substance abuse treatment can offer the tools, strategies, and support necessary to overcome alcohol and drug addiction.
Teen drinking is not a passing phase. It is a habit and problem that requires serious attention. Regular drinking is detrimental to teens’ overall physical and emotional health. At Fort Behavioral Health, we have decades of experience offering effective teen substance abuse treatment. If a teen you love suffers from any type of substance use disorder, reach out to us online or at 844.332.1807 for confidential treatment advice.
3 Ways to Help Your Teen Quit Drinking
1. Talk to Them About Their Drinking
Candid conversations with your teen can illuminate more significant issues that underpin teen drinking. However, it’s vital that you do your best to remain calm and compassionate during these conversations and refrain from passing judgment or doling out punishments. Instead, ask open-ended questions and consider your teen’s response fully.
2. Don’t Give Them Alcohol
Access to alcohol is the single most effective way to enable teenage drinking. Don’t provide alcohol, money, or an unsupervised environment. If there is alcohol in the house, it is worthwhile to clear it out entirely.
3. Enroll Them in a Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Program
The single most effective way to overcome excessive drinking is to experience professional substance abuse treatment. Treatment can also begin to address any underlying issues that led to drinking in the first place. Depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences, and emotional turmoil are linked to alcohol abuse in teens. What’s more, relating to peers who have similar situations related to substance abuse can be immensely helpful in overcoming alcoholism or drug addiction.
Some teens may work to hide their drinking from parents, guardians, and other family members at all costs or refuse help. If this is true of a teen you love, don’t give up on them, and start by seeking support with quitting alcohol for yourself.
Is a Teen You Love Drinking Too Much?
Teen drinking is a national health crisis causing millions of young people to strive and suffer. In addition, adolescents who drink regularly and get drunk are more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol and end up in jail or prison. During adolescence, teens are especially vulnerable because they are exposed to many new experiences and ideas about the world and themselves. In addition, without a solid foundation of mental and emotional health, they may fall victim to social pressures.
The best way to know if a teen you love is drinking too much is by observing what they do when they drink and considering:
- How much has been too much for them?
- How often does the person drink?
- What kind of drinks do they choose?
Frequent or excessive drinking and distinct mood changes are also red flags that indicate your teen might need help to quit drinking.
Help Your Teen Quit Drinking with Support from Fort Behavioral Health
It’s not surprising that some teens end up using alcohol and other drugs as a means of coping with their problems. However, you can help your teen quit drinking most by providing the correct information resources for recovery and by allowing them to understand the consequences of their actions.
At Fort Behavioral Health, we are here to help. Our experts are experienced, compassionate, and effective in supporting teens and families as they overcome substance abuse disorders. Contact us today by filling out our online form or calling 844.332.1807 to learn more about helping your teen quit drinking.
