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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Family Issues > Son drinking alcohol
Posted on: 06/21/2006
Question
I just discovered that my 18-year-old son has been drinking alcohol for the past 2 years. He says he will not stop and all his friends drink too. I am so worried, but he will not stop his drinking. What am I to do?
Answer
The best thing you can do is educate him about the effects of alcohol and drugs so that he can at least make informed decisions about his drinking. Do you know how much he drinks? There is a big difference between taking one drink at a party and drinking until you get drunk on a regular basis. If you feel he is developing a habit that may be addicting he should talk with his doctor or other health professional about the signs of dependency. The main thing is to express your concern to him, especially if you see him doing high risk behaviors such as drinking and driving. Ultimately you want him to be able to make good choices and understand the consequences of his behavior.