You have just learned that your child is abusing alcohol.

You have just learned that your child is abusing alcohol. He or she has failed far too many subjects; his or her attitudes are changed radically -- for the worse; or he or she was in an auto accident while he or others were under the influence of alcohol.

You are lucky if your child and possibly also alcohol impaired passenger are both alive and safe; you are also lucky because you now know what you are dealing with and can’t hide behind “Not my child” any longer. However you learn the problem, the important thing is to get help for your child fast.

If you are a parent or parents and you suspect your child is using alcohol (or drugs), you need to know your options for analysis and treatment, if necessary. Your family physician or pediatrician can help you determine if your child is abusing alcohol (or drugs). It may just take a few questions from your child’s medical advisor or it may take a blood test or urine test. Tests are fast, inexpensive -- and can’t be refuted.

As a parent or an adult listener, your main goal is to let the child know you care about him or her; that you are not being judgmental but protective and caring; that it is your job to help educate them about the negative aspects of drinking alcohol and to set guidelines and restrictions on drinking alcohol beverages.

As a parent, you and your spouse first need to agree on the tone and approach you will use when you talk to your child. You need to decide upon the rules and limits and consequences of drinking without your permission. You both need to make it clear that teenage drinking is not only illegal but not allowed in your family. If you have seen signs that make you get that gut feeling that your child is abusing alcohol (or drugs), you may want to arrange for a medical exam at this point.

If you do decide upon the medical approach, you may find it helpful to check for any other problems, like Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, or a medical problem that may be influencing his behavior at the same time as the alcohol is influencing behavior.

If you learn from your medical advisors that your child needs treatment for alcohol abuse, you will need to learn about available treatment programs for youth.

All adults have resources to help them deal with youthful alcohol abuse.

Those resources include:

 School counselors
 Church leaders, or a pastoral counselor
 Employee Assistant Professionals
 School nurses
 Family physicians or pediatricians
 Community health centers
 Alcoholism prevention or treatment professionals
 Local anti-alcohol or drug coalitions
 County health departments