Common Questions
Q: My 17-yr-old stepson is drinking and drugging, but his father has not confronted the situation. Can I be held liable on any level since I am the adult who is home when my son arrives after drinking or drugging?
A: Criminal liability should not attach unless you are knowingly allowing the drugs or alcohol to be used in the house. Make sure you and your husband don't allow him to drive a car if you suspect he has been drinking or using drugs. That may result in legal liability. You and your husband need to confront your son.
Q: My grandson was driving, got pulled over, and admitted to drinking two beers several hours before driving. He is 17. This was around 1 a.m. His sister, age 12, was in the car. His girlfriend was in the car. She is 19. She had an open container in her dad's vehicle, which my grandson was driving. He was sited for open container and underage drinking. What punishment will he get?
A: Typically the fine amounts are discretionary and are up to the judge on a case by case basis. First time offenders often are sentenced to attend the Underage Drinker Program. This program is at least 8 hours in length and involves course fees. Pending successful completion of the program, the criminal charges may be dropped. If your grandson was charged with driving underage with alcohol in his system, he may also have his license suspended until he is 21. The legal blood alcohol limit for those under age 21 is 0.0. However, license suspension is not a mandatory action and will occur at the judge's discretion.
Q: Do alcoholics run any health risks from quitting cold turkey?
A: It can be very dangerous for a person addicted to alcohol to abruptly stop using it. Withdrawal from alcohol may involve mild to life-threatening symptoms. Any person who experiences severe side effects such as seizures, nausea, anxiety, muscle cramps, tremor, and hallucinations, ringing in the ears and/or delirium tremens is in need of medical treatment from a licensed physician.
If you or someone you know has an alcohol problem and wants to quit, please visit the "Professional Help Information" section of this website for a list of organizations that can direct you to treatment.
For more information about withdrawal side effects, see these research articles: “An experimental study of the etiology of 'rum fits' and delirium tremens,” Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol (1955); “Drug treatment in alcoholism,” Antimanics, Anticonvulsants and Other Drugs in Psychiatry, (1987); “Detoxification, the use of benzodiazepines,” Alcohol and Alcoholism (1995); “The Drug Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: A Systematic Review,” Alcohol & Alcoholism (1998).
Q: What are penalties for underage drinking in the State of Arizona if over the age of 18?
A: State law reads that it is illegal to have any alcohol in your system if you are under age 21. The "legal limit" for those under age 21 is 0.00, not 0.08. Penalities may range from a suspended driver's license, to a fine, to counseling, probabtion or community service depending on other factors involved in the citiation.
Q: My son, 16, shared with me that he attended a party hosted by a parent at which alcohol was served... There were at least 30 underage kids who attended the party. I'm sure most of their parents are not aware that alcohol was being served... Do you think it's possible for me to remain anonymous and yet hold these people accountable? What are the laws in AZ and if I were to provide names, could someone look into this anonymously?
A: It is illegal to provide alcohol to non-family members in your home "whom you know or should know" are under age 21 (ARS 4-241), but it likely would be difficult to file criminal charges after the party. However, it would be appropriate to contact the local police department because there may have been similar incidents or problems with the same house. The police might have arrested/cited someone that evening who could be linked to that house, making your additional information helpful to the case. You can request that police monitor this home in the future and that they talk to the adult residents about the party your son attended in order to prevent more underage drinking. In most cases, you can provide information anonymously to the police department.
We also recommend that you review our fact sheet about the health and legal consequences of underage drinking and share it with other adults. As well, the Alcohol Policy Information System website has a comprehensive review of each state's alcohol laws.
Q: I have two college students, a daughter 22 at NYU and a son, 20 at Claremont McKenna. Over the Christmas holidays they were home. I recently found two empty 750ml bottles of scotch and vodka, hidden in a toy box. How do I best confront these two that are of legal drinking age and nearly legal drinking age, and have it make an impression on them?
A:You are right to be concerned about your discovery. Underage drinking (on the part of your son) is a serious issue and contributes to countless injuries and deaths each year, not to mention disruptions to academics, work performance, and relationships. In addition, the concealment of the bottles -- not to mention the volume -- points to problematic behavior, including issues of trust. Finding a way to engage them in constructive dialogue will pay dividends in their future choices..
How best to talk about this critical issue? First, talk at a time that's convenient for both of you. Remember that what's a good time for you may not be a good time for them! Young people hate being pulled away from their friends, music, or favorite activity. Casual or unstructured times, such as during a meal or car ride, often provide the best setting.
Second, express a desire to hear your children's views. Because we are anxious to get our points across, we often forget that conversation is a two-way dialogue. Young people don't want to be talked at or to, so it’s important to state the obvious: "I value your perspective and care what you think about people your age who drink alcohol." It may sound gratuitous, but we need to clearly and explicitly tell our kids how we feel and what we mean. Don't assume they know!
Third, communicate your wish to relate to each other. Be sure to reiterate that you want an honest relationship with your children and are willing to work to find ways to be close. You might say, for example, "I appreciate the fact that you want to be independent, particularly now that you are in college. I think that's a good thing. But I hope we can find ways to spend time together and to talk about things that are important to you and to both of us -- like alcohol use.".
Finally, listen carefully. We communicate best with our kids when we hear what they say, listen for the feelings behind the words, and then reflect back to them what we believe they have said. For example, "I hear you saying that you don't think drinking is a big deal -- but I have some facts I need to share with you." This approach disciplines us to listen carefully and demonstrates that we are truly trying to understand what they are telling us! If you think your children are abusing alcohol, encourage them to seek help from a professional. Check the “Professional Help” page (under “Resources”) on this website for a place where they can receive a behavioral health assessment. As they are adults, you cannot force this, but you can encourage them to evaluate their habits with a professional.
Q: My 17-year-old son is drinking and I need help to control it.
A: I would recommend you seek help from a behavioral health treatment provider or parent support and education provider. They can assist you in coping with this issue. Additionally, they may be able to provide family therapy and if needed substance abuse treatment with your teens. In the meantime it is important to set firm boundaries with youth and hold them accountable with consequences for rule violations. This may involve removal of privileges for rule violations, and involvement in a teen's life even if the teen says they don't want or need you involved. Teens need as much love and attention as youth of other ages. You can get a referral to treatment or parent support and education programs from your local regional behavioral health authority. You can find the numbers for RBHA’s on the Arizona Department of Health Services Web site.
It is important to note that substance abuse treatment is available to anyone in Arizona regardless of ability to pay through the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant.
Additionally, you may look for a local Alcoholics Anonymous. This is a support group for loved ones of alcoholics. It is free to participate.
Q: Kids just are not responsible when they drink. But if they were more responsible then everything would be just fine. Isn't that true?
A: Not true. Underage drinking can hinder a child’s “wiring” as the brain continues to develop -- damaging the impulse control and good judgment areas of the brain, and harming learning and memory areas. This alcohol damage can cause young people to: develop social problems, have poor judgment, get into trouble, do poorly in school, and experience failure in achieving life-long goals. Even when handled responsibly, underage drinking is harmful and illegal.
Q: I got drunk (really drunk), but only once. How damaging is that?
A: If it really was only once then there is unlikely to be any permanent damage. However short term use, even a single episode, can cause problems with the brain, heart, intestines, liver, pancrase and kidneys. If you survived this behavior once be thankful, but also be smart, “draw the line” and commit not to do this again.
Q: Is there a place to report a club that we know is serving to underage kids? Also liquor stores that sell to minors and know it?
A: There are several courses of action to report retailers or individuals who you suspect may be violating the law:
1) A complaint should be filed with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing and Control. They will send an investigator out to respond to the complaint. You may also request follow up to find out what action was taken.
Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control: http://www.azliquor.gov/contact.asp
2) Concerned individuals may also contact the local police department, as many agencies have individuals that are more than willing to send someone out to do a routine liquor inspection. The agencies can monitor an establishment to see what kind of activity is taking place to ensure that underage persons are not obtaining alcohol. These complaints can be made anonymously.
List of police departments throughout Arizona: http://www.azdps.gov/About/Contacts/
3) If individuals are not comfortable reporting directly to Law Enforcement (LE), they can make a complaint to SADD who works closely with LE throughout the state. SADD: http://www.azsadd.org
4) Additionally, individuals may wish to alert the Phoenix Youth Alcohol Squad: Phoenix Youth Alcohol Squad: http://www.phoenix.gov/police/tesu_info.html
Q: What are the warning signs of underage drinking and drug abuse?
A:Warning Signs of Childhood Drinking: While the following behaviors may indicate an alcohol or other drug problem, some also reflect normal teenage growing pains. Experts believe that a drinking problem is more likely if you notice several of these signs at the same time, if they occur suddenly, and if some of them are extreme in nature. Mood changes: flare-ups of temper, irritability, and defensiveness School problems: poor attendance, low grades, and / or recent disciplinary action Rebelling against family rules Switching friends, along with a reluctance to have you get to know the new friends A "nothing matters" attitude: sloppy appearance, a lack of involvement in former interests, and general low energy Finding alcohol in your child's room or backpack, or smelling alcohol on his or her breath.
Physical or mental problems: memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech.
For specific help on your case or for more information, please see your family pediatrician or physician.