This article is for parents who are worried about their teen or young adult’s drinking. It walks through the warning signs that mean it’s time to reach out to a professional, explains when medical detox becomes necessary rather than optional, and answers some of the most common questions parents ask when they’re facing this.
If you’re worried about your teen or young adult’s drinking, you’re probably asking yourself one big question: is this bad enough to need outside help?
It’s a hard question, especially when it comes to treatment for teens and young adults. A lot of parents wait too long to find out which one they’re dealing with, hoping their kid will just grow out of it.
Here’s a simple guide to help you figure out where things stand.
You don’t have to wait until a crisis to get helpt. Any of these signs are enough reason to call a doctor, therapist, or addiction specialist:
If any of these sound familiar, it’s reasonable to reach out to a doctor, therapist, or addiction treatment provider for an honest assessment. You don’t need proof of a “big enough” problem, and you certainly don’t need to have figured everything out—that’s what a medical professional is there for.
Most people picture medical detox as something for adults with decades of heavy drinking. The word “detox” might even evoke thoughts of celebrities getting IVs with vitamins. But it can be a necessity for teens and young adults too, especially young adults in their late teens and twenties who have been drinking heavily and often for an extended period of time.
Medical detox is necessary, not just an option, if any of these are true:
Alcohol withdrawal can include a serious condition called delirium tremens (DTs), which can involve seizures, confusion, and dangerous swings in heart rate and blood pressure.1 This is a medical emergency, not something to manage at home, even for a young and otherwise healthy person. Call 911 right away.
Ifyour teen or young adult has been drinking heavily for a while, don’t let them “quit cold turkey” on their own, and don’t try to manage it yourself at home. Talk to a doctor first. Medical detox means trained staff can watch for danger signs and use medication to keep them safe and more comfortable while alcohol leaves their system. It’s usually just the first step, followed by ongoing treatment and support with tools like medications for alcohol use disorder to help manage withdrawals and cravings in the long term.
Consult with a doctor or addiction treatment provider to see whether your teen or young adult’s situation is serious enough for medical detox. They can help you figure out what level of support makes sense. Click here for more information on available types of addiction treatments.
Are you or a loved one seeking help for addiction? This video breaks down the wide range of treatment options available for substance use disorders, helping you understand which path might be the best fit. From counseling and outpatient programs to intensive inpatient care and medication-assisted treatment, we explore the benefits, challenges, and key considerations for each approach.
If you’re reading this because you’re worried about your teen or young adult, you don’t have to have all the answers right now. You just have to make one call. A doctor, a therapist, a treatment center, or another substance use disorder professional can help you figure out the next right step. If you need more guidance, you can always connect with our free and confidential helpline.
You’re not overreacting by asking these questions; you’re paying attention. That’s exactly what your child needs from you right now, even if they don’t say so.
If your teen or young adult is in immediate danger during withdrawal — including seizures, severe confusion, chest pain, or hallucinations — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Is it normal for teens to drink sometimes or is any drinking a red flag?
Experimenting with alcohol is not unusual, and one instance doesn’t automatically mean there’s a serious problem. What matters more is the pattern: how often it happens, if it’s getting worse, and whether it’s connected to any warning signs like hidden drinking, changed friend groups, or trouble at school.
My child won’t admit they have a problem. What do I do?
This is very common, but it doesn’t mean you should wait. You can still call a doctor or addiction specialist on your own to talk through what you’re seeing and figure out next steps, even before your teen or young adult is ready to accept your support.
Can I just handle this myself as a family, without bringing in a professional?
For milder situations, an honest family conversation and some ground rules can be a good first step. But if any of the warning signs in this article are showing up, or if there’s any chance withdrawal could be dangerous, it’s worth involving a professional rather than handling it alone.
What’s the difference between detox and treatment?
Detox is the process of safely getting alcohol out of the body, especially when withdrawal could be risky. Treatment is what comes next: therapy, support groups, medications, and/or a treatment program that helps someone stay sober long-term. Detox alone usually isn’t enough on its own.
Where do I even start?
A good first call is your teen or young adult’s doctor, a therapist who specializes in addiction, or an addiction treatment center. Any of them can help you sort out how serious the situation is and what kind of help makes sense from here.