Some risky behaviors, such as practicing unsafe sex, increase the chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Other risky behaviors practiced while drinking, such as drunk driving or drug use, put teens at risk for immediate and possibly deadly consequences. Further, alcohol disappearing from your home may indicate that your child is involved with drinking. Some warning signs may indicate problems other than drinking, such as depression, developmental difficulties, eating disorders, or adolescent adjustment problems. It is important not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs.
Adolescence is a time of change - physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
This can lead to erratic behavior and mood changes as children try to cope with the changes of adolescence. If you see a number of changes, certainly look for all explanations by talking to and questioning your kids, but don't overlook substance abuse as a possibility. It's essential that parents begin communicating with children about alcohol at an early age and continue this dialogue throughout adolescence. You should work with him to provide strategies on how to avoid these situations or extricate himself from them once he's already in them. For children between the ages of 4 and 7, Cummings recommends calmly explaining the reasons why it's dangerous to drink.