5 Warning Signs That Your Child Might Be An Addict

Almost all parents sooner or later come across the interest of their son or daughter in alcoholic beverages. However, sometimes it’s too late when they get to know about such a problem. But as a parent, you should monitor the behavior of your child. Notice when they act strange or become aggressive. However, it is very important to understand whether a child is drinking or not to cope with the impending danger in time.

Signs That the Child Is Drinking Alcohol

If a teenager returned home drunk, you could understand this by the following signs:

• Poor coordination of movements
• Braided gait
• Indistinct speech
• Lethargy or, conversely, excessive activity

It is possible to determine whether a child is drinking alcoholic beverages by other criteria.

1– Smell

The smell of fumes, which is difficult to hide even with special means, also indicates the child’s consumption of alcohol. You cannot felt the smell directly from the mouth of a teenager. But you can feel it in the room where he/she is. Moreover, your child will not doubt you if you randomly go into his/her room.

2- Poor Appearance

The child may begin to dress untidy. Sometimes alcoholic children forget to wash, comb hair and take a shower. At the same time, he/she does not care at all how he/she looks. They care only about one thing that is getting alcohol and drinking it to their fullest.

3- Change in Relationship with Friends and Family

Relationships with friends can worsen or improve dramatically. If the child’s friends are also a part of this drinking regime, your child will get closer to them. You will notice that they try to spend more time with such friends. A teenager may show aggressiveness, isolation, unreasonable anger, and indifference to loved ones.

4- Decreased School Performance

Lost interest in learning and increased academic failure can be another sign of having an addicted child. But not in all cases, bad academic performance is related to alcoholism. But if your child starts to miss classes and has other signs of addiction too, then you need to be careful.

5- Breathalyzer

If by the child’s appearance, the parents find it difficult to determine whether he/she is drinking or not, they can take him/her to the nearest laboratory clinic for tests. You can also check the alcohol content by using a device called breathalyzer. Through just the breath, you can know if your child is drinking alcohol or not.

How to Talk to A Teenager About Alcohol?

Parents who notice that the child has come home drunk should not postpone their conversation for a long time. It is necessary to do this the next day when the teenager sobers up. It is good if both dad and mom participate in the conversation, having previously coordinated their actions.

1- Tell Them How You Felt

Tell your child about the emotions that you experienced when you saw him/her drunk. You can talk about your fear, grief, anger, and surprise. Do not judge him; talk only about your feelings. Tell your child about your alcohol concerns. You can tell them how their performance, behavior, and lifestyle are changing. Throughout the conversation, try to stay polite with them.

2- Find Out What and Why the Child Was Drinking

Ask the child about what alcoholic drinks he/she is using, whether he/she liked it, and how he/she is feeling about it. Hear the teenager’s story without interrupting. Pay attention to what he liked about the alcohol and why this is important.

Try to build a confidential conversation. Find out which of the son or daughter friends took part with him in drinking alcoholic beverages. Basically, you should know who the initiator of this activity was. Make sure, you don’t force your child to answer these questions, be soft with them.

3- Talk About Codes of Conduct

You should tell them that if they continue this bad habit, it will have bad impact on younger siblings. Explain that it is not customary for your family to consume such drinks. You need to be transparent in communication with your child. Be respectful of your teenager in conversation.

Ask your child to stop drinking. Tell him/her that by quitting drinking now, he will avoid any negative consequences. You can also convince your child to get into an alcohol treatment program. Tell them the benefits of living a healthy life without addiction.

4- Talk About the Dangers of Alcohol

You should tell your child about the harms alcohol can cause. Tell them about low-quality alcohol, explain how to recognize it. Always keep in your mind that a child follows you. Avoid excessive drinking in your family. Do not allow your child to drink alcohol with an adult.

5- Get Help from Specialist

If your child is rigid and does not want to talk to you, then you have only one option. You should visit a specialist and get help from them. They have more experience in such situations and can guide you well. Therefore, do not delay this visit.

You can mention all your concerns and get their suggestions. A doctor may recommend special alcoholism treatment for your kid. Make sure you adhere to the things, the doctor recommends.

6- Get Help from Friends

In case there is somebody in your friend’s circle whose child has a similar problem, you can contact them. There is nobody who can explain you better than a parent going through a similar situation. You can ask them for guidance and how did they cope with this problem. Take advice and act upon them.

Summing Up

Teens are more and more indulging themselves in this bad habit of addiction. Therefore, as a parent, you should pay attention to the signs of addiction. Once you are sure, talk to them, or get help from a specialist.