Recognizing the Signs of Alcohol Abuse

With so many parents working long hours, it is easy to either miss the signs of alcohol abuse or explain them away. Many parents don't want to believe that their beloved child is engaging in alcohol use. But burying your head in the sand is the worst thing you can do regarding your child and your family.

Some people believe that only "those" types of teens drink alcohol and that "good" kids won't drink or become alcoholics. But that's not true. Here are some questions that all parents must ask themselves about their child and warning signs that parents should be looking for.

 Does another member of the family have of drinking problem?

 Is my child experiencing a loss in their life either through divorce, death, or a break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend?

 Has my child experienced bullying, physical or sexual abuse?

 Is my child avoiding friends or family and spending a great deal of time alone?

 Is my child getting in trouble at school by cutting classes or cutting school, sometimes for days in a row?

 Has my child's grades started to fall with no apparent reason why?

 Has my child lost interest in their favorite hobbies and activities?

 When my child's talks about his friends, are they friends that I know? Does he become defensive about them, and has he abandoned his old friends for these new friends?

 Does my child constantly argue with me and other members of the family for no apparent reason?

 Does my child seem lethargic, hung over, confused, or have difficulty remembering certain things?

Obviously, any of these things listed above can be because of circumstances other than alcohol abuse. But if your child is experiencing any of the above, at the very least it is time to sit them down and have a serious talk about what is going on.

Too often we become so wrapped up in our daily responsibilities that it's easy to miss the signs of a problem like alcohol or drug abuse until it is hitting us in the face. It can sometimes be hard to admit that the child we love so dearly has slipped into behavior that is frightening, potentially dangerous, and sometimes even out of control.

If you find that your child is drinking alcohol and it is starting to affect his or her schoolwork and life at home, talk to your school counselor and health care provider. Ask them for advice on how to handle the problem. Making the school aware that there might be a problem can help ward off problems at school.

Many times parents are not aware that a child is drinking because they've become good at hiding it just like adult alcoholics. Some teens that drink alcohol before school remain buzzed during the day and then go home on the bus tired and sober.

It's easy for a parent to think that the child is tired because they've gotten up early and had a long day at school. If the school counselor and administration is aware of the problem, they can be on the lookout for any strange behavior during school hours.