How to Handle a Drunk Teen

Models pose as father and teenage son
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Teen drinking is a serious concern for many parents. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.9 million 12 to 20-year-olds reported that they had consumed alcohol in the past month. But what's the best way to deal with a drunk teen?

While this can be an emotional experience as a parent, there is a way to respond that leaves the child feeling supported and loved. Learn the dos and don'ts of dealing with a drunk teenager. We also offer tips on how to keep the teen safe amidst alcohol's risks.

1

Stay Calm

Seeing our teenager in a drunken state can cause us to feel many different emotions. We might feel frightened, annoyed, or even angry. Whatever we're experiencing emotionally, it's important to stay calm and in control while dealing with them.

When a teen is drunk, they are in a vulnerable state, both physically and mentally. Despite not being very happy with their decisions at the moment, they need our care and concern at this time.

Do
  • Speak clearly, calmly, and gently

  • Stay with them until they are sober

  • Take responsibility for the teen's health

Do Not
  • Force them to eat or drink

  • Laugh at, make fun of, or express amusement

  • Punish them while they are intoxicated

  • Touch them more than necessary

  • Yell, criticize, argue, or threaten

2

Find Out How Much the Teen Has Had to Drink

Young people can appear very drunk after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol because they have a very low tolerance for this drug. However, if the teen has drunk more alcohol than their body can handle, they may be at risk of alcohol poisoning.

If they can speak, try to find out how much they've had to drink in a way that will encourage them to be honest about the amount. Just be aware that most people underestimate how much alcohol they have consumed, especially in home-poured drinks.

The teen's companions or the establishment where they were drinking may also provide an idea of how much they've consumed. We can also use a blood alcohol concentration estimate to evaluate the teen's level of intoxication based on their body weight.

3

Get Medical Help If Necessary

Take the teen to the emergency room if:

  • They have had a fall or sustained any other injuries.
  • They have—or you think they may have—taken other drugs, including prescription medication.
  • They have lost consciousness (passed out or blacked out) at any point since starting drinking.
  • They or someone else indicates that they may have just consumed strong alcoholic beverages, such as vodka or whiskey, as they may become more intoxicated.
  • They are unable to speak or are incoherent.
  • They have vomited, as this is their body's first line of defense against overdose.

Seek medical attention for a drunk teen if there is any concern about their health or well-being, for any reason.

4

Call the Police If Violence Erupts

The risk of family violence increases with alcohol use. If the drunk teen becomes threatening or violent to people or property, call the police immediately.

Calling the police is also advised if another person present becomes violent toward the child, even if that person is the other parent. This kind of situation can quickly escalate, making it important to diffuse it as fast as possible.

Remember, you can work out the details of how you move forward as a family tomorrow — when everyone is sober.

5

Rehydrate the Teen

Encourage the teen to slowly sip water to rehydrate. At the same, be prepared that this may induce vomiting in a drunk teen. If they vomit, take them to the emergency room for treatment.

6

Keep a Drunk Teenager Awake

One of the greatest risks of drinking to the point of getting drunk is asphyxiation from vomiting during sleep. It may seem counter-intuitive to keep a drunk teen awake, but it is the safest thing to do.

If the teen has taken drinks within the past few minutes, their blood alcohol content could be going up versus coming down. If they appear to be becoming more intoxicated as time goes on, take them to the emergency room.

 Ideally, we want to see the teen sober up before letting them "sleep it off."

7

Put the Teen in the Recovery Position

If the teen is too drunk to stand or taking them to the emergency room isn't an option, put them in the recovery position (on their side) and call an ambulance.

If they have sobered up and it feels safe for them to go to bed, make sure they go to sleep in the recovery position. This way, if they vomit during the night, they are less likely to inhale the vomit.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I tell if my child has a drinking problem?

    According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), signs that a child might have a problem with alcohol include changes in mood, problems at school, rebellion against household rules, changes in friendships, and an apathetic attitude. Physical and mental signs of alcohol use can also include slurred speech, poor coordination, and problems with memory and concentration.

  • What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?

    Signs of alcohol poisoning include slow breathing, cold and clammy skin, confusion, lack of a gag reflex, vomiting, passing out, and seizures.

  • Am I a bad parent if my kid came home drunk?

    It is not uncommon for teens to experiment with alcohol to some degree. This is why it is important to discuss the risks of alcohol use with our teens. If they do come home intoxicated, it does not mean that we are a bad parent. Instead of trying to play the blame game, focus on taking steps to make sure the teen gets the help they may need to address their alcohol use.

4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Underage drinking in the United States (ages 12 to 20).

  2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.

  3. Sontate KV, Kamaluddin MR, Mohamed IS, et al. Alcohol, aggression, and violence: From public health to neuroscience. Front Psychol. 2021;12:699726. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.699726

  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. How to tell if your child is drinking alcohol.

By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD
Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada.