Recognize the Signs

• Many treatment options are available for teens with an alcohol addiction, but parents must first be able to recognize the signs. One of the most obvious is smelling alcohol on your son's breath or body when he comes home. If he suddenly experiences mood swings, or becomes verbally or physically abusive toward others, it may be due to withdrawal symptoms if his addiction is severe. You may also notice a change in the group of friends he spends time with; this is another indicator, especially if the kids appear to get into trouble frequently.
  
  

Use Detoxification Programs

• If your teen is under the age of 18, you can sign her into a detoxification program. This is considered a form of inpatient treatment, and typically lasts from three to five days, depending on the severity of her addiction. Detox gives your daughter's body a chance to be cleansed of the alcohol and is the first step in the treatment and recovery process. During detoxification, she will be monitored by medical staff as she progresses through her withdrawal symptoms, with her safety being the first priority. She may also be given medication to help manage any symptoms, making the process easier on her.
  
  

Enter a Teen Residential Treatment Center

• These centers are also a form of inpatient treatment and are long-term, lasting from six months to one year. The time will vary according to the need of your teen. Residential centers are typically an option for teens who suffer from both a severe addiction and behavioral problems. Because teens experience different problems than adults, teen centers differ from adult centers in the way they treat the problem. The counselors and doctors on site address teen issues, and the group counseling sessions are with fellow teens who may be experiencing similar problems.
  
  

Attend Family Therapy

• This is an option for teens whose alcohol problem is not as severe, or who have left a residential treatment center and are receiving follow-up care. The goal of this therapy is to positively change the way the family interacts with one another. If the family is dysfunctional, the counselor will attempt to find the underlying cause and work through it. She will also help the family learn how to communicate better with one another, resulting in resolution of conflict with compromise vs. fighting. The stronger and more supportive the family unit, the more success the teen addict may have on his road to recovery.
  
  

Attend Group Meetings

• Just as there is Alcoholics Anonymous, there is also Al-Anon and Alateen, groups for teens with alcohol addictions and the family members it affects. These groups give your teen an opportunity to make new friends who desire a life free from alcohol, offering them not only support but a good example to follow as well. Your teen will also be given a sponsor, someone she can turn to when she feels the urge to drink. Her sponsor will help her through her craving and keep her on the sobriety road.