If you are a parent to a teenager, and you suspect they are dealing with an alcohol addiction problem, knowing the signs of underage alcoholism is extremely important. This way, you can obtain help as quickly as possible. Here are some underage alcoholism signs to watch for as well as information about our alcohol abuse treatment center North Carolina.
Changes To Their Normal Routine
It is likely you witnessed your child adhering to a routine with school, friends, and hobbies. Unfortunately, children suffering from underage alcoholism change their habits because of their addiction. For example, they will no longer be interested in hobbies they spent time doing in the past. They change their friends. If you notice a change in behavior, be aware of other signs of underage alcoholism, so you can get treatment if necessary.
Alcohol In The Home Goes Missing
Many parents have alcohol in their homes for their use. A teenager with an alcohol problem sneaks it from their parent’s stash. For instance, water is added to bottles of clear alcohol, so parents do not realize it is missing. The amount of alcohol in the bottles dwindles slowly. Or, the bottles disappear altogether. It is essential to monitor alcohol in the home if a problem is suspected. Even better, lock up alcohol or remove it from your home entirely.
Grades Are Not Up To Par
One of the telltale signs of underage alcoholism is when grades suffer. A child with an addiction will not spend time studying or doing homework as they had in the past. When this happens, they hide report cards from parents, so the grades are not noticed. It is best to keep on top of your child’s progress in school. If they have a sudden drop in grade point average, alcoholism or another addiction is a possibility.
Health Issues Increase
A teen with an alcohol problem suffers from health problems. For example, if your child consumes alcohol in excess, vomiting or other sickness follows. In many cases, your child will not want to go to school, work, or see friends if they don’t feel well. For this reason, an increase in absenteeism from their school usually happens.
Money Problems Occur
A teen with a job spends money on alcohol if they have an addiction. Paychecks don’t last throughout the week. An increase in borrowing from parents occurs. Money goes missing from parents’ wallets. There is a reason to worry anytime money goes missing.
Visible Signs Of Alcohol Use
Some teens drink and try to hide signs of alcohol use from parents. It is critical to be aware of possible symptoms of underage alcoholism during everyday activities. Signs of alcohol use include:
- Redness of the eyes
- The smell of alcohol on the breath or clothing
- Staggering or swaying
- Slurred speech
- An increase in injuries
- Withdrawn behavior
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Improper behavior
- Lack of responsibility
- Failure to adhere to the house or school rules
- Poor grades
- A change in friends or no friends
- Sneakiness or untrustworthy behavior
If you have worries about your teen and alcohol consumption, help is available. Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery to find out more about the many treatment options available. Some of our services include:
- Family counseling
- Individual therapy
- Drug abuse treatment
- Continued education
- Psychological testing
- Group counseling
- Process addiction treatment
Don’t let your child suffer from alcohol addiction. Knowing the signs of underage alcoholism and abuse is the first step in receiving help. Reach out to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery at 866.300.5275 to speak with our staff members about your teen. We are here to help you and your teenager get the treatment they need for recovery.
