Fortunately, it is possible to cure alcoholism – and it can be done in just 5 steps. It’s not an easy cure. There is no magic “one size fits all” fix that will solve and end the problems of alcohol abuse in individuals and their families instantly, but there is hope and it can be done with the right treatment plan that matches the needs of the person. Thousands of people have been able to overcome their addiction and move on to live happy and successful lives – you can too.

Here are the 5 Steps to Quit Drinking:

1. Admit There is a Problem: Denial is the biggest problem in treating alcoholism. While the individual’s family and friends may recognize that drinking has become excessive or is negatively affecting the person’s life, the person who is addicted to alcohol will likely not. You cannot always convince someone that they need help. Many former alcoholics refer to “hitting rock bottom” to be the point that they realized it was something they could not overcome on their own. Unfortunately for many it is not until mounting problems such as losing friends and loved ones, multiple legal issues, or being hospitalized occurs for someone to realize that they need help.

2. Ask for Help: A lot of people believe that they can overcome alcoholism on their own without the help of others. However, the reality is that alcohol consumes a person and controls their life – not the other way around. You have to ask for help, even though you may feel awkward about it. Fortunately, treatment centers and professionals are caring and understanding – they do not judge you, they do not criticize you. They simply give you the help that you need, and for many it is a huge sense of relief.

3. Overcome Addiction: Depending on your level of addiction, you may need to undergo alcohol detox before you can quit drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous for those who are severely addicted and can include anything from hallucinations to tremors and seizures to even death. For this reason, it is best when detox is done in a supervised setting for your own safety. Many physicians will prescribe detox drugs such as Librium or others that will greatly reduce or even entirely eliminate withdrawal symptoms that helps make the process much more comfortable and easier to overcome. After detox has been completed, you are “cured” – you no longer will have the withdrawal symptoms that make you crave alcohol. However, it’s important you don’t stop just there, since you have treated your body but not your mind.

4. Begin Therapy/Treatment: After addiction has been overcome through detox and your body is no longer craving alcohol, the next vital step to cure alcoholism is to treat the emotional side of the condition. Your body may no longer be dependent on the alcohol, but overcoming old habits is the most difficult part of the process. There are many different treatment centers and methods for doing this – some may prefer inpatient therapy, others outpatient. Attending group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or others may be of additional benefit to some.

5. Maintenance: After you’ve undergone therapy and have been equipped with the tools and resources necessary to live a sober life, the last and final step is to continue to abstain from alcohol and stay sober. You may be able to have the occasional drink again several years of sobriety later, but exercising control and caution is very important. For most, it is best to avoid drinking and the triggers completely.

There are countless different methods of treating alcohol abuse. Some have decided to try natural remedies or “miracle cures”, others have been successful on their own. Every person is unique, and for that reason it is best that you choose a treatment plan that works for you. You don’t have to just jump into whatever treatment plan your doctor prescribes you or is the most common one known in your area. But it is VERY important that you take that step and seek the help of someone else.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking, seeking help for yourself is just as important as seeking help for the person who has a drinking problem. With the right plan and when the person is once and for all ready to stop drinking once and for all, it is absolutely possible to cure alcoholism.

Have any thoughts? Share them in the comments below.

Here are Some of the Most Common Reasons Behind Drinking Alcohol:

1. Social Influence: We’re constantly surrounded by the acceptance and encouragement of alcohol in many different situations. From television advertisements to walking into a restuarant that serves alcohol, we constantly see things that show that encourages drinking. Many restaurants will post their daily drink specials ($1 drafts for example) or have banners and signs featuring certain types of alcohol. Watch any football game on television and you’ll likely see plenty of beer commercials. While obviously a television commercial isn’t going to cause you to start drinking directly, it adds to the social influence and acceptance of alcohol in our society. The more “normal” and “accepted” alcohol becomes, the easier it is for people to disregard the dangers of alcohol abuse.

2. Social Pressure: Many of us have had our first drink from some sort of social pressure. Maybe it was a group of friends having their first underage keg party, maybe it was someone else that said “Here, have a beer”. While you would think peer pressure would stop after high school and college, for many adults it does not. Coworkers who make it a habit to go to the bar after work can put social pressure to drink – visiting friends or special events such as weddings or family reunions may also include social pressure and expectations to drink.

3. Looser Inhibitions: Many people feel shy, awkward, or afraid in certain situations. It can be a social situation, such as a party full of strangers, or it can be something more formal such as while at work. Alcohol naturally causes people to lose their inhibitions, feel more relaxed, and become seemingly more outgoing or less shy temporarily. (Temporarily is the key to be stressed – it can cause more problems after prolonged use) Rather than dealing with problems such as overcoming shyness or other issues, alcohol is used as a temporary solution to deal with awkward situations.

4. Stress Relief: Many people in a stressful situation want something that is quick and easy to get their mind off their problems. By drinking alcohol, someone is able to forget about their problems, and so it becomes a temporary solution to their problem. Unfortunately, excessive drinking only leads to more problems, and while you may forget about something for a few hours while drinking, it does not actually provide an end to the cause of stress.

5. Escapism: This is another reason why someone may start drinking alcohol or continue the habit. Escapism can be brought on by a variety of things – boredom, depression, mounting stress or problems, etc. For those who have been drinking long term and are borderline alcohol abusive, the need for escapism rises.

These are just a few of the most common reasons – many people have different reasons that may or may not be related, or they may drink alcohol for a combination of several reasons.

Fortunately for those who are seeking treatment and living sober, identifying these common triggers and reasons for alcohol abuse can help them learn ways to continue sobriety and deal with their addiction. Many treatment and rehab centers focus on things such as learning to ignore social influences, how to deal with peer pressure, and problem solving skills. Treating other underlying causes for drinking, such as depression or anxiety, can also often help.

Any thoughts on the reasons why people drink alcohol? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

When a person’s blood sugars are too low, it can cause them to crave sugar (or in the alcoholic’s case, alcohol). When the levels are high from eating sweet foods and beverages, our bodies produce insulin which will often cause it to drop rapidly and begin the cycle of cravings all over again. Many recovering alcoholics who before were not fans of sweetened foods find themselves after giving up alcohol that they desire these things more often than before.

Having good nutrition habits is very difficult for the person who is abusing alcohol, especially since alcohol may become their main dietary supplement and a substitution for meals. Malnutrition is one of the well known physical effects of alcohol addiction that can not only cause the person to eat unhealthy items but also change the way the body processes sugars, grains, and other nutrients obtained from consuming different foods.

While eating a healthy diet alone is not enough to combat alcohol cravings, especially for someone who has become physically addicted on the drug and would benefit from safe and relatively painless alcohol detox, it could help the recovered alcoholic be more successful in quitting drinking for good. Eating a diet that helps regulate hypoglycemic levels can greatly reduce not only their cravings for sugar, but also their cravings for alcohol.

A healthy, well balanced diet is recommended to keep these levels intact and functioning the way they should to reduce cravings. Eating all of the food groups as the USDA recommends in their website My Pyramid and switching to whole grains can drastically improve a person’s diet and help regulate their hypoglycemic index. This helpful article on sugar addiction has some information of gradually reducing the amount of sugar you consume and eat as well as how to overcome cravings for good.

If you are a recovering alcoholic and sugar craving is a concern for you, speaking to a doctor, counselor, or nutrition specialist can help you learn more about your blood sugar levels and the different options available to help you combat both sugar and alcohol addiction for good.

Overcoming the physical addiction will depend of course on the alcoholic’s level of dependence. A mildly addicted alcohol abuser may be able to quit drinking without assistance for overcoming withdrawal symptoms. However, for someone who has abused alcohol for a long time and is severely physically addicted will likely need assistance since alcohol withdrawal symptoms not only are unpleasant but also potentially fatal. For this, finding a good alcohol detox program can make it possible to overcome the physical addiction aspect without the side effects of withdrawal through the use of medications.

Here are some of the different treatments of alcoholism:

Medical Facility Treatment: There are many medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics that can provide help for alcoholism. They often accept government medical insurance programs and often help can be obtained for free or with your existing health insurance provider if you have one. For many who find themsleves in an emergency room from alcohol poisoning they will often administer whatever medical treatment is necessary. You can also speak to a regular doctor to have them refer you to different types of treatment available through hospitals and clinics. Most hospitals have a mental health and substance abuse division that can give you additional resources and treatment options.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous is probably one of the most recognized alcohol treatment programs, though it primarily only focuses on changing behavior after the alcohol abuser has gone through withdrawal or needs support in staying sober. There is no individual counseling or medical treatment administered through AA. For this reason, it is usually best to combine Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with other treatments in order to facilitate the best possible recovery scenario.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers: In most areas there are drug and alcohol rehab centers that specialize in the treatment of addiction. They may offer outpatient (the person can leave the facility but must come back every day for services) or inpatient therapy (the patient stays at the facility) to treat alcohol. This is often a “one stop shop” for many fighting to overcome addiction as they are typically licensed and able to administer withdrawal alcohol detox medications as well as combine the same benefits of individual, family, and group therapy all in one. Often alcohol rehab centers will work with insurance companies and help you apply for medical assistance if you need it to obtain treatment. There are however a few that only provide to private self pay individuals, typically catering to higher income addicts with different luxuries such as serene settings and gourmet chefs. Some alcohol rehab centers may be Christian based, which in addition to traditional treatment offers the support for the spiritual needs of individuals as well.

Alternative/Natural Remedies: Some people have had success with treating alcoholism with alternative and natural remedies, such as using herbs like kudzu to fight addiction symptoms or reading self help books. This can be pretty dangerous for an alcoholic to do unless they are doing it combination with other treatments, as most people are not able to control their drinking on their own until after several months of sobriety. Many alcoholics have continued to struggle with addiction believing they can quit drinking on their own – which in some ways is a sign that the person is still in the denial stage of alcoholism. However, it is worth mentioning because not everyone wants to go through the traditional medical routes and with the right support and guidance can be successful treatment program.

Each of these treatments for alcoholism will vary from location to location and each facility may have different procedures and routines. However, most of them will concentrate on helping the addict overcome withdrawal symptoms and the physical addiction, and then work on the emotional and mental dependence as well. Different therapy options and practices are best to be discussed with a drug and alcohol counselor. Spiritual River also has an excellent resource on addiction help that has some helpful information and resources for those wishing to help someone they know battle alcoholism.

Understanding the different treatments of alcoholism can make it easier for you to find help and know what your options are. Remember, you’re never alone, and getting help is as simple as a phone call away.

Alcoholism is when one’s body is physically addicted and dependent on alcohol. An alcoholic will have severe to moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms while the alcohol abuser may not have the same severity of symptoms if they do not have the drink. The symptoms of alcohol dependency can vary greatly between an alcoholic and an alcohol abuser. However, it can be very easy for an alcohol abuser to become an alcoholic, since the more and longer they continue to drink, the more likely they are going to build up their tolerance and dependence on alcohol.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be becoming an alcoholic, these ten warning signs of alcoholism that may help you determine what stage of alcoholism or “pre-alcoholism” one may be in.

Ten Warning Signs of Alcoholism:

1. Want Becomes Need: There is a difference between an alcohol abuser wanting a drink and an alcoholic who needs a drink. An alcoholic needs a drink in order to stop their hands from shaking, their stomach feeling nauseated, severe levels of anxiety to be alleviated. An alcoholic usually needs a drink to get up out of bed in the morning and needs another drink to fall to sleep.

2. Attempting to Cover-Up/Hide One’s Drinking: When someone begins covering up and hiding their drinking, it shows that they may be aware that they are drinking more than what is “socially acceptable” or that their drinking problem may cause others to get upset. Someone who is not physically dependent on alcohol would not have the same need to drink that they would go to great lengths to cover up how much they are drinking. It can be hard to recognize signs of someone covering up their drinking problem.

3. Drinking Alone: For most people who are not addicted to alcohol, drinking is mostly a social thing – a glass of wine with dinner when out with friends for example. When someone begins drinking alone, it shows that alcohol begins taking precedence over family and friends and doing other healthy activities instead.

4. Inability to Stop: One drink, two drinks, three drinks, floor is a phrase many people have heard before. Usually non-alcoholics can tell when they are drunk and when they should cut themselves off or stop. An alcohol abuser often participates in binge drinking on a regular basis, however an alcoholic will binge drink everyday. Their dependence and tolerance to alcohol has made it so they cannot tell when they’ve had too much to drink at once.

5. Failure to Care About Personal Appearance: An alcoholic will often neglect personal hygiene and their personal appearance. Drinking alcohol has become so predominant in their life that changing out of dirty clothes or showering regularly does not become a priority.

6. Violent/Angry Behavior: Even those who are typically not violent or angry when drinking will eventually begin displaying angry and aggressive behavior when their drinking gets out of control. Angry outbursts, extreme aggression, throwing chairs, furniture, and even physically hurting people the alcoholic loves are all violent behaviors that show one’s drinking is out of control.

7. Excuses for Drinking: An alcoholic will always have an excuse to drink – no matter what time or day or reason it may be. Everything is a reason to drink for an alcoholic – whether good or bad. Making these excuses is a way for the person addicted to alcohol to rationalize their drinking is not as bad as it really is.

8. Poor Work Performance: An alcohol abuser can often still function in day to day responsibilities such as going to work. However, an alcoholic may drink while working, and may have attendance, behavior, or other issues that may even result in them losing their job.

9. Legal Problems: Someone with more than 1 DUI or disorderly conduct or other legal charge against them for drinking is usually borderline for becoming an alcoholic. Most people who are not physically addicted to alcohol would stop or change their behavior to avoid getting in trouble with the law. Since an alcoholic cannot stop, legal problems continue to mount, and a court order can often be the only reason an alcohol abuser or alcoholic seeks any treatment at all.

10. Memory Loss: Blacking out and the inability to remember things that have happened are common for alcoholics to experience. Someone who only drinks occasionally may be able to remember everything they did when drinking, or at least be able to recall where they were. An alcoholic may have no recollection of the past day or past few hours of events.

If you or someone you know are concerned about the ten warning signs of alcoholism and believe you may have a problem, our page on where to find help lists many resources you may find useful.

Recently I had the opportunity to read Lisa Frederiksen’s Book If You Loved Me, You’d Stop! What You Really Need to Know When Your Loved One Drinks Too Much, which gives the answers to all of the questions we face when living with or trying to help an alcoholic.

The author’s own experiences with a person who drinks too much, coupled with medical research and popular recovery program tools gives an added insight to understanding the problem in depth – and getting the help that YOU need as someone affected by another person’s drinking. The non-confrontational and supportive tone helps you realize you’re not crazy or that the situation is hopeless – and there are things you can begin doing immediately to help your situation improve and reclaim your life.

Here are just a few examples of some of the things you can find in this book:
Definitions and Explanations of Alcohol Abuse as a disease
Quizzes and Assessments for Identifying Alcohol Abuse and Co-dependency
How Alcohol “Hijacks” the Brain
Understanding Denial and Setting Boundaries
Parenting With An Alcoholic Partner
How to Change Yourself to Reclaim Your Life
Additional Resources for Support, Treatment, and Information

Simply put, If You Loved Me You’d Stop is a book everyone must read, whether you are just recognizing the beginning stages of an loved one with an alcohol problem or have gone down the road of recovery already.

In addition to this fantastic book, Lisa also has created the website Breaking The Cycles which offers even more support and resources for someone concerned about a loved one’s drinking.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s drinking problem or recovery, this book is worth it to check out and read. The book is available online through Amazon.com.

The teenage years are often when many people begin experimenting with drugs and alcohol, especially since they are readily available at just about any high school. Many teens go to parties where drugs and alcohol are present, or they may have friends who do drugs and alcohol and can eventually influence them to try it as well.

For many teenagers, while the occasional use of drugs and alcohol is a problem in the eyes of parents, schools, and law enforcement, they are often not addicted yet. Unfortunately, you don’t need to be physically or emotionally addicted for one time use to have devastating consequences, such as fatal car accidents due to drunk driving or drug use as we often see on the news.

Most of the drug addicts I know didn’t really begin to have the symptoms of addiction until their 20’s. Some managed to continue through college while drinking large amounts or doing drugs between classes, many dropped out in their freshman and sophomore years because feeding their addiction became more of a priority than getting an education.

It is safe to say that most people develop the habits that lead to addiction sometime between the ages of 15 and 23. But addiction can still affect anyone at any age. There are many 40, 50, and even 60 year olds just entering alcohol recovery programs for the first time. Some at these ages have attempted quitting before, but addiction is tough to beat permanantely unless someone completely vows to abstinating from alcohol.

Today’s question to our readers is a simple one: how old were you when you first started using drugs or alcohol? If you no longer use drugs or alcohol, how old were you when you realized you had a problem?

Here are some of the differences you can expect to encounter in Christian based rehab:

1. Spiritual Needs: In Christian based alcohol and drug therapy, the focus is not only on behavioral and addiction concerns, but also in nurturing the spiritual side of a person.They may help an addict answer the common questions about God that many have: Why me? Why does he let this happen? Does God Hate Me?2. Prayer: Prayer is one thing you may encounter in a Christian drug rehab program that you may likely not see in other rehab programs. Meetings may start with prayers or songs to help bring everyone closer together and to ask for God’s assistance in becoming and staying sober. Prayer for many people has been a positive way to meditate and understand themselves and their needs better.

3. References to Biblical phrases and stories: The Bible is very important in the Christian faith, and so it is often a great source of inspiration for Christians struggling with addiction. Many of the teachings in the Bible can be applied to learning how to live without drugs and alcohol and can further help one understand their spiritual beliefs.

4. Rebuilding Relationships Also Includes God: Many families and friendships are destroyed by addiction. Christian drug treatment centers often include rebuilding a relationship with God. Going through addiction can make a person feel very empty – rebuilding a relationship with God can help fulfill that void.

Who Should Consider Christian Drug Treatment Centers?

Christian drug and alcohol rehab programs will certainly not turn anyone away who is seeking help with addiction. It does not matter your background or even your faith, as long as you are open to accepting the Christian based teachings.

Christian based treatment centers however are probably going to be the most successful for someone who has always been Christian but has watched their life become difficult to manage due to drug or alcohol use or someone who wishes to have religion and God in their life but don’t know where to start.

Who Should Not Consider Christian Drug and Alcohol Rehab approaches?

If you do not feel comfortable about the Christian faith, or are skeptical of Christian teachings, you may wish to seek other rehab programs that do not involve religion or spirituality in the program. Not because Christian treatment programs are not successful – but because they may not be the best alternative for you. If you are resistant towards the counselor’s beliefs, teachings, or practices, it may also make you subconsciously resistant to overcoming addiction all together.

Choosing an addiction treatment center is a personal choice. For some, Christian based programs have been the lifesaving decision they needed to overcome their addiction and get their life back on track. For those who do not want religion in their life or are resistant towards the beliefs, it can make the journey to sobriety even more difficult. For any rehab program to be successful, the person going for treatment must be open and earnest in quitting. Being forced to recover against their own free will or to be apathetic towards the treatment program can often lead to relapse after relapse.

What are your thoughts on Christian Drug Treatment Centers? Share your comments below.

Binge drinking, commonly associated with teenagers and college student is a big problem that can lead to a dependency on alcohol. However, binge drinking is not only limited to these individuals. Many people who abuse alcohol go through binge drinking episodes, and for those who are severely addicted to alcohol, binge drinking is a daily occurrence. Today we’ve put together a few binge drinking statistics to help you understand binge drinking more.

Binge drinking is what we commonly call the process of someone drinking large quantities of alcohol in just a short period of time. This is extremely dangerous, since someone can consume more alcohol than their body can handle before they even begin to feel “drunk”. Many teenagers and college students often go to parties where binge drinking is encouraged through drinking games such as Asshole (a card game where one must drink based on the game), Beer pong, which involves tossing ping pong balls into cups of beer, and others. Doing kegstands (where one stands upside down on top of a keg and drinks as much as they can before getting dizzy, sick, or losing their balance) is another way in the college and high school party atmosphere young people can drink more alcohol than their bodies can handle.

Here are some national binge drinking statistics according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively participated in binge drinking in the last 30 days.

70% of binge drinking episodes are done by adults who are over the age of 25

Men are twice as likely to partake in binge drinking than women

Binge Drinkers are 14 times more likely to drive drunk than non-binge drinkers

90% of underage drinkers (21 years old or less) consume their alcohol in the form of binge drinking

It is estimated that 70% of college students on any given campus participate in binge drinking, while 42% of college students admit to binge drinking.

Approximately 1700 college students die each year from binge drinking related deaths

Alcohol is the third leading cause of death between people ages 15-24

1 in 5 college binge drinkers drink on a weekly basis, with 50% of all college binge drinkers participating in binge drinker more than once a week

College students who frequently binge drink are more likely to have lower GPA’s and excessive absences from school.

As you can see from these binge drinking statistics, binge drinking is a serious problem on college campuses as well as even for adults who currently drink. Factors such as drinking with others, low prices for drinks ($1 draft night for example), and self serving one alcohol can cause someone to drink excessively. One binge drinking statistic that stood out to us was that 70% of binge drinkers are over the age 25. This statistic shows that binge drinking is not only limited to high school or college student use. Binge drinkers over the age 25 who commonly drink more than they should are headed down a dangerous road of alcohol abuse which could ultimately lead to alcoholism.

If you or someone you know is falling into the habits of binge drinking on a regular basis, it is likely that the patterns for alcohol dependence are being formed. To learn more about alcoholism, visit our pages the signs of alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, how to detox safely, and where to find help.

What do you think of these binge drinking statistics? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here are some of the common causes of teenage drinking:

It relaxes them: Being a teenager is never easy. Even for well-off seemingly achieving teenagers, there is a lot of stress and pressure to get good grades and live up to their family’s expectations. For others, it can be a way of coping with other problems or stress in their lives. A teenager experiencing alcohol for the first time will likely be attracted to its ability to make them feel care-free and forget about their troubles for a little while, making it likely they will be seeking to try it again.

Automatic Inclusion: Everybody as a teenager always want to feel like they are included. Whether it’s by being invited to the big party at someone’s house or thinking it will make their friends think they are cool, drinking it a simple way to acheive that automatic “I fit in, I belong” sense. It also can cross the divides of the standard social classes of “jock” and “nerd” since it suddenly becomes a mutual interest.

Genetic Disposition: Alcoholism has been often considered a genetic disease, as many families can trace a line of repeated alcohol and drug abuse or mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder. If an underage teenager is already at risk for this, it is not surprising that their teenage drinking can quickly become a habit that may last well into adulthood. For teens who may already have a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness, alcohol may be their way of subconsciously self-medicating themselves.

Parental Influence: It’s tough being a parent when it comes to your influence on your teenager drinking. Be too strict or too uptight, and they might blame that for their rebellious side. On the other hand, if you’re too lenient and relaxed, they will feel like you don’t care what they do anyways and that you’re not paying any attention. Some teenagers may even drink subconciously wanting that negative attention from their parents. If you catch your teen drinking, it’s equally important to analyze your own behavior.

Underlying Causes: As mentioned above, for many teenagers drinking is a solution for their problems. Maybe they’re bored, maybe they feel lonely, maybe they have an untreated condition that needs addressed. These underlying causes can be difficult to identify, especially if you as a parent are not having the best of relationships with your child. But once they are identified and addressed, you may be able to curb the causes of teenage drinking.

Public Education Health Classes: This is one no expert will admit to, but kids each year are brainwashed to sit in health classes and other public education programs to teach them the dangers of alcohol use. They may watch movies or read stories about teenagers drinking. Sure, while the classes try to stress the negative effects of alcohol, it can spark interest in a subject they otherwise may not even think about. The snickering of other students can further ignite their curiousity on what it feels like to be drunk and what will happen to them if they drink.

Social Media: This of course leads to another potential indirect factor. While its hard to believe that seeing movies about people drinking or beer commercials on TV or even a song might influence your teenager, it is likely that it subconciously shapes their values that drinking is a normal part of life.

Now that you understand the causes of teenage drinking, you may wonder what you as a parent can do to prevent underage drinking. Here are some ideas:

1. Create an Open Relationship With Your Child: This isn’t easy to do, especially when hormones are raging and in the teenage years the parent often seems to be the enemy. Talk TO them, not at them. And listen to what they have to say. Sometimes parents don’t give kids enough time to talk and really explain what’s going on. Once you establish this, it opens the door to seek alternative solutions for your child instead of drinking.

2. Identify Problems Early: Parents often want to deny that something could be wrong with their child, especially when it concerns their behavior or emotional state. Instead, be proactive. If you notice issues with a 5 year old child, address them before he or she reaches 10 or even 15.

3. Don’t Be Afraid of Counseling: Encourage counseling even if you don’t see any obvious signs of a problem. Counseling should be seen in a positive light, not as punishment for something they did wrong. It should never be used as a threat, but seen as a solution. If you and your teenager are having communication problems or you are worried about their new extra curricular activities with drinking or drug use, don’t wait until something terrible or dramatic happens. School guidance counselors or your health insurance plan should be able to help you find the right kind of assistance for your individual needs.

4. Become Involved: Many teenagers don’t feel like their parents care or understand. If you’re not spending at least one hour of one-on-one time with your teenager without distractions such as television or phone calls, you’re not involved enough. Find fun activities the two of you enjoy, or even create an atmosphere where your teenager and his or her friends can have a good time without the use of alcohol or drugs.

5. Don’t Encourage Drinking: Some parents may bargain with their child, saying you can drink if you don’t drive, or some may even buy their children alcohol. Obviously this only enables them to begin underage drinking. Be firm, and let your teenager know that you care and do not want them drinking. Brainstorm for alternative things they can do instead of turning to drugs or alcohol.

Now that you understand the causes of teenage drinking and what you as a parent can do, you can help take some important steps in preventing and curbing your child’s underage drinking.