Know if your teenager has a problem with alcohol

ReachOut Content Team
Published 24 November 2023
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The questions below are from a self-test for young people at the Australian Drug Foundation website. They're a good starting point for your conversation with your teen about alcoholism:

  • Do you use alcohol to feel more self-confident, more sociable, or more powerful?

  • Do you ever drink after you have a problem at home or at school?

  • Have you lost friends because of your alcohol use or started hanging out with a heavy drinking group of friends?

  • Do you feel guilty or really bad after using alcohol because you don’t know what happened the night before?

  • Have you been in trouble at home or school, missed school or needed medical attention because of alcohol?

  • Do you consume more alcohol than your friends regularly do?

  • Do you think you have a problem with alcohol?

If your teenager needs help taking steps to reduce their dependence on alcohol there are services available that a GP or psychologist can refer you or your teenager to. ReachOut NextStep offers personalised tips and help, and will connect you with useful info and services.

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              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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