According to the Mayo Clinic, parents often underestimate how often and how much their teenagers drink. Peer pressure and the physical and emotional changes accompanying adolescence make teenagers more susceptible to alcohol abuse. If you suspect that your teen is drinking, it's important to talk to her about it. If you think she has a problem with alcohol, seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health professional.
Mood Changes
Mood changes such as depression, hostility, irritability, anxiety or social withdrawal can be signs that your daughter is drinking. If she exhibits a rapid mood shift on a single occasion, it could just be a sign that she's having a bad day. Teenagers have fluctuating hormones that can cause attitude and mood changes. However, if she becomes consistently defensive or hostile when you confront her after a night out with friends, it could be an indication of a substance problem. According to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, signs that she has a substance problem also could include increased secrecy about her possessions and activities.
Academic Decline
Your daughter was once a straight-A achiever and never had a problem in class. Or perhaps she has been a consistently average student who's managed to stay under the radar. If she has a sudden, negative decline in her grades, cuts class or shows up late to school, you should suspect an alcohol problem. According to the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, a sudden negative change in her school performance and behavior is a red flag. Speak to your daughter and her guidance counselor or teachers about her recent academic decline.
Physical Signs
Physical signs are usually more obvious and easily detected. You smell alcohol on her breath or the smell of breath mints or mouthwash after a party or a night out with friends. She has difficulty focusing or staying balanced. She has unexplained bumps or bruises. Her skin is red and flushed, and she looks sweaty. The morning after, she can hardly drag herself out of bed. She might complain of nausea or headaches, blaming it on a flu or other physical ailment. She has an increased appetite, eating particularly greasy or unhealthy foods in large quantities.
Interpersonal Changes
According to the American Academy for Adolescent and Child Psychiatry, teenagers who have a drinking problem often have a rapid shift in their circle of friends. Your daughter starts hanging out with a new group of friends, but she doesn't want you to meet them. She doesn't explain why she stopped hanging out with her old friends. She goes to more parties on the weekends where adults are not present. She might even have problems with the law. Make sure that you know where she is when she goes out and that she has a way to reach you at all times.
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