How to Know If Your Twenty One Year Old Has a Drinking Problem

At 21, a child has become an adult. However, age hardly keeps parents from worrying. They are also legally allowed to drink, which may give parents more reason to worry if they start to see signs of a drinking problem. Yet there is nothing to do until the problem is verified. How to go about checking into the situation is different depending on whether your child lives at home or lives outside your home.

Instructions

Living at Home

1. Talk to your child face-to-face when you suspect she has been drinking--preferably right after she comes home and before she has had a chance to take a shower and wash away evidence.

2. Pay attention to any changes in behaviors or friends. Suddenly picking up new friends may be a sign your child has picked up a new hobby.

3. Ask about her social life. Legally, she is old enough to drink, so getting her to admit to doing so should not be too hard. Keep in mind that those who have a drinking problem attempt to minimize their drinking habits to appear innocent.

4. Snoop. Go through their personal belongings looking for hidden liquor and smelling for alcohol on their clothing.

Living Away from Home

1. Ask questions about everything. Roommates, living situations, social life, anything to get them talking to you. Their answers or nonanswers can be informative.

2. Meet their friends, or at least try to, so you can find out who they are spending time with.

3. Pay attention to troubles. Falling grades, car wrecks, run-ins with the authorities are all indicators of a possible problem.

4. Drop in unannounced. This is much the same as snooping because it does not give your child a chance to hide whatever it is that she has been doing.

Tips & Warnings

• The best time to do or say something is as soon as possible.

• Your child's friends can be helpful.

• Remember this is your child, whom you love, and treat her accordingly. Love her even while confronting the problem.

• Do not be afraid to reach out for assistance from other adults and authority figures to help you handle the situation.

• Invasion of privacy, while necessary, may cause hurt feelings. Be prepared for possible confrontation.

References

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism on College Drinking
• Parents. The Anti-Drug