Parents should not turn a blind eye, if their child routinely comes home drunk, say German health officials. ( dpa )
An expert on addiction in the Hamburg Office for Addiction Prevention, Irene Ehmke, says children usually experiment with alcohol.
"However, if the child comes home really drunk, parents need to address this behaviour."
A teenager might not remember much of a conversation after a night of drinking. But forcing the issue shows that the parents care. Nonetheless, a repeat conversation the next day, after the hangover has lifted is advisable.
The goal is not to accuse your teenager. A combination of understanding, concern and information is more useful.
"It's important that parents show some sincere interest in what their children are doing," says Ehmke. Questions about the party and whether anything notable happened are part of the process.
"Sometimes kids have experiences they find embarrassing." But parents can help.
Teenagers do not always care to open up about their feelings and experiences.
"Parents should not leave teenagers alone with their experiences, even if they brush you off," says Ehmke.
Defining a typical level of alcohol consumption for a teenager is not easy. Heinrich Kuefner, of the Munich Institute for Therapeutic Research, says the upper limit is generally the same as for adults.
That means men should limit themselves to 30 grams of alcohol, or three quarters of a litre of beer. Consuming any more is a warning sign, as is regular weekly or daily alcohol consumption.
"Secret drinking is also a sign of a drinking problem," says Kuefner.
If parents think their child drinks too much, they should visit an addiction counselling centre, advises Ehmke.
"When teenagers notice that their parents are really worried about them, it makes them a little more thoughtful."