My Teenage Son's First Drunk

This is an account of the events and repercussions of my teenage son’s first experience getting drunk. The names have been changed to protect the guilty teenage drinkers. Many of the parts written below will sound familiar since we have all been there, done that. The main point though, is in the Parent Talk section and making sure that teenagers see the long lasting effects of their actions on both themselves and others, nothing they do is "new", and that they will get caught.

General Information

Apple (my son) is teenage son. Banana is teenager and has a driver’s license. Apple is an “A” student and active in athletics. He knows where the line is, gets close, but usually stays out of trouble.

The Plans as Told to Us

Apple told us that he was going to go to Banana’s house, who lives around the block, for the evening. They will be having a few others over for a night of pizza, poker and video games. Apple said he will be home by midnight, his curfew. Sounded good. Sounded convincing.

The Real Plans

Banana was to get his parents car, pick up Apple, and go to Cantaloupe’s house for a birthday party for one of the girls.
Cantaloupe’s parents were not going to be home. There was going to be beer, food, and girls. Banana ended up not being
able to go, so Apple had Cantaloupe pick him up, go on the beer run, and then go to the house for the party.

Upon Coming Home

So Apple comes home at 11:45, wakes me up to tell me he’s home, and goes to bed. About 30 minutes later, my wife woke me up and told me she heard a loud noise and to check the house. I grabbed my “Walking Tall Stick” and started looking through the house. Coming up to Apple’s room, I noticed a path of puke leading from his doorway, across the hall, and into the bathroom.

And there I found him…half undressed…leaning over the bowl…puking his guts up. And there he stayed…for 45 minutes…half undressed…leaning over the bowl…puking his guts up.

The Denial

I’m not drunk.
I didn’t drink anything.
It must be food poisoning.
The pizza tasted like crap when I was eating it.
(Nothing new…except it was bad burger and fries for me)

The Parent Talk

Rather than go into a lengthy dissertation like we gave Apple, here is the list of items that were covered:

We don’t believe food poisoning even with puked pizza sprayed all over the floors.
We smelled your clothes…they stink of beer.
Your eyes are beet red and bloodshot.
The cologne sprayed in your room did not cover up the stench.
The text message to your friend saying that your drunk but made it home.
Teenagers are not “new” and there is nothing “new” that a teenager can do.
In your condition, do you think you could drive?
Why would it be different for your friend driving?
Now how safe do you feel driving with a drunk driver?
You are a minor, you could be arrested as a juvie and do time.
Having a record could affect your schooling and athletics?
Cantaloupe is over 18 and can be arrested and charged with serving alcohol to a minor.
Cantaloupe’s parents can be charged, sued, and potentially loose their house.
Who is going to clean the floors, sink, toilet, walls, and doors?
How much “trust” from us is lost?
Re-earning of privileges.
Re-earning of parental trust.

The Repercussions

There are of course the punishments that go along his actions. Grounded, including Spring Break, for the remainder of the month (except for hockey - sorry). Delay in getting his driver’s license (big trust issue).

So my son thought he was going to be the big man and put one over on us. He ends up drunk, puking sick, punished, and has a long road ahead in earning back our trust and confidence. He at least took the first step in admitting that it wasn’t worth it.

We’ll see.


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