If you have a friend who drinks alcohol and is underage, it's normal to be concerned and to want to help. According to the Surgeon General, nearly 10.8 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 are underage drinkers. Anyone who drinks alcohol under the legal age of 21 is an underage drinker. Even if your friend drinks infrequently, she still falls into this category. You can take measures to help your friend develop awareness of this problem and possibly get treatment.
Step 1
Make a list of the warning signs that indicate your friend has a problem. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, warning signs of alcohol dependency can include hiding alcohol or other secretive behavior, getting drunk regularly, giving up activities he used to enjoy in order to drink or engaging in risk-taking behavior. SAMHSA's "Guide for Teens" can help you prepare to confront your friend.
Step 2
Talk to your friend about her problem. According to Bucknell University's Student Health Services, it's important to be direct yet tactful when you confront your friend. Don't tiptoe around the problem, and don't lecture. Be direct, and ask her if she thinks she has a problem with alcohol. Discuss the warning signs that indicate that she has a problem. Tell her you're concerned and you want to help her.
Step 3
Point out the health risks of drinking alcohol. Your friend might be drinking for any number of reasons, including social pressure, genetics or stress. However, it's important for him to understand the dangers of alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system, according to Teens Health. Overconsumption of alcohol can cause weight gain, headaches or even death.
Step 4
Encourage your friend to talk to a trusted adult about the problem. Ask her to talk to her guidance counselor or doctor. She might need to seek outside help from a group like Alcoholics Anonymous or even from an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
Step 5
Make sure your friend does not drink and drive. According to Teens Health, it's important that you try to keep your friend safe from doing anything dangerous or harmful to himself of others, such as fighting with others or walking home alone. If you go to a party together, take his keys away or volunteer to be a designated driver.
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