Written by Kristen VanOrman Buck Director of Outreach and Clinical Partnerships
It’s important that parents know the common street names for alcohol and drinking slang to protect their teens when it comes to alcohol use and the related dangers. Common slang words for alcohol, such as sauce, booze, lean, and juice, along with nicknames like hooch, firewater, and moonshine, and hard stuff, might signal to parents that their teenager is drinking or misusing alcohol. While the use of drinking terms can be teens using slang they’ve heard, it may be a sign that a teen is abusing alcohol and that there are more significant mental health issues going on in a teen’s life.
Table of Contents
What are the Street Names Teens Use for Alcohol?
Some common street names for alcohol that a teen girl may use include juice, sherbert, booze, and sips. These terms might be used casually in conversation or in texts to conceal the mention of alcoholic drinks. Other everyday slang for liquor that teens may use include shooter, cold one, nightcap, and giggle juice. Parents should stay vigilant and aware of these slang terms to better understand their child’s behavior and potential involvement with alcohol.
Other words for alcohol can include:
- Tipple
- Party punch
- Fizzy fix
- Berry blast
Teen girls may also use specific drinking slang for alcohol mixed with certain drugs; if parents hear their teens using these terms it can be a sign of severe drug and alcohol abuse issues. Other names for alcohol or alcoholic drinks mixed with drugs that parents should look out for include:
- Time flip – alcohol with Xanax
- Liquid candyflip – alcohol with LSD and MDMA
- Snow-coning – alcohol with cocaine
- Lean, Dirty Sprite, or Robofizzing – alcohol with cold medicine
- Brompton Cocktail – alcohol with opioids and cocaine
Why Do Teen Girls Start Drinking?
Teens might drink alcohol due to curiosity, social benefits, and pressure to cope with stress, pain, or trauma.
Other reasons teen girls might start drinking include:
- Underlying mental health issues
- Emotional trauma
- Family conflict or problems
- Depression
- Self-esteem issues
What Are Some Common Signs of Alcohol Use in Teen Girls?
Common signs of alcohol use in teen girls can include secretive behavior, mood changes, or school issues. Other common signs parents should look out for include:
- Changes in friend groups or social activities
- Decline in academic performance
- Irritability or sudden changes in behavior
- Physical use or withdrawal symptoms or signs like bloodshot eyes or smelling of alcohol
- Increased irritability or defensiveness when asked about alcohol consumption
Suppose parents see these signs, along with a teen who is using slang names for alcohol. In that case, it’s important to take action by initiating a conversation with their teenage daughter in a non-confrontational and supportive manner. It’s essential to create a safe space for open communication without judgment.
Slang Terms Teens Use for Drinking and Getting Drunk
Teen girls can also use a variety of terms for slang for getting drunk that parents should look out for. Common teen slang for getting drunk could include terms like:
- Getting lit
- Turnt
- Wasted
- Hammered
- Smashed
- Sloshed
- Sauced
- Tipsy
- Buzzed
- Faded
How Does Alcohol Use Affect Teen Girls?
Most teens who experiment with or misuse alcohol will not develop a chronic alcohol use disorder and will age out of misusing alcohol and the associated problematic behaviors. However, some teens will develop such a disorder and deal with longer-term problems tied to it, such as mental health, physical health, or relationship-based issues. Parents have an important role in helping a teen girl who is using street names for alcohol or drinking underage to understand the dangerous effects and risk factors of an alcohol problem and how to discuss them with teen girls.
The Physical Effects
The physical effects of teen alcohol use include:
- Impaired brain development
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
- Liver damage
- Weakened immune system
- Stunted growth
- Increased risk of substance use disorder
The Mental Health Effects
The mental health effects of teen alcohol use can include:
- Depression
- Self-esteem issues
- Anxiety
- Risk of other mental health issues worsening or developing
How Can I Help My Teen Daughter Who is Abusing Alcohol?
If your teen is using these different names for alcohol and drinking, you can start by educating your teen about the dangers of alcohol use, building a support network of family and friends, communicate with your teen in a non-judgment way, and find mental health and substance use treatment when needed.
1. Talk to your Teen Daughter About Alcohol Use
Talking to teens about alcohol use, if they are using street names for alcohol or drinking slang, can be an important first step. Parents should keep in mind when discussing alcohol use to:
- Actively listen and approach the conversation with a non-judgmental attitude.
- Pay attention to any clues as to whether alcohol use is curiosity around alcohol or part of a bigger substance use or mental health issue.
- Seek to understand any potential reasons for teen drinking.
- Provide education about the dangers of alcohol use when appropriate.
- Be aware of any potential stressors teens mention when discussing alcohol use and discuss possible alternate coping mechanisms or skills.
2. Create a Supportive Home Environment
A supportive home environment can help teens who are using street names for alcohol or drinking slang and can involve open communication, trust, and non-judgmental discussions about alcohol use. Parents can create a safe space for their teen daughter to talk about any concerns or pressures they may be facing regarding alcohol. By fostering a supportive environment, parents can help guide their teen towards making healthy choices and understanding the potential risks associated with alcohol use.
3. Set Boundaries and Expectations
Setting boundaries is important for parents who are dealing with a teenager who is misusing alcohol. Parents should hold boundaries to protect and preserve themselves, others in the home (e.g., siblings), and the family’s culture by figuring out and setting boundaries around alcohol use. Thus, an important point to remember when setting and holding boundaries in response to a teen child’s misuse of or involvement with alcohol is only to set boundaries that parents can ultimately have . Good boundaries for parents to set around teens who are drinking could include a-no-alcohol use policy and consequences for what happens when these are broken, such as possible limits on social outings or events.
4. Educate your Teen on the Dangers of Alcohol Use
Educating your teen about the dangers of alcohol use is crucial in helping them make informed decisions. By discussing the physical and mental health effects, as well as the risks associated with substance use disorders, you can empower your daughter to prioritize her well-being over temporary thrills.
Educate your teen about the dangers of alcohol use by explaining the various street names for alcohol, such as “booze,” “hooch,” “liquid courage,” and “happy juice,” as well as the dangerous mental and physical effects of drinking, using drugs in combination with drinking, and how drinking can lead to bad decisions that can last throughout life.
5. Build a Support Network
As a parent, it is essential to build a strong support network for your teen daughter who may be struggling with alcohol abuse. Creating an environment of open communication and non-judgmental dialogue within the family and with trusted friends can encourage her to seek help when needed. This support system can be crucial role in guiding her toward making healthier choices and seeking necessary treatment, if required.
Support networks can include parents, friends, family, role models, and alcohol use support groups that help provide support as a teen or young adult discusses alcohol use in an open setting.
6. Find Treatment for Alcohol Use and Mental Health Challenges
A common adage in the substance use treatment arena is that “alcohol is not the problem; it’s the solution to the problem.” When alcohol misuse becomes a solution, the risk increases for problematic habits to form in teen girls. If you find that your daughter is still using street names for alcohol or drinking after you’ve tried to talk to her and provide support, treatment for alcoholism may be a helpful next step that can help address the root of mental health and substance use issues that could be causing alcohol use issues.
Treatment options for teens who are drinking or abusing alcohol can include co-occurring mental health treatment programs that address both substance use and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation that can be at the root of drinking. A residential treatment program or stabilization and assessment program can provide a good long-term treatment option for teen girls who are abusing alcohol. Call us today, and we’ll walk your family through each step of overcoming difficult alcohol use and mental health issues.
Street Names for Alcohol: Putting it All Together
As a parent, if your teen daughter is using street names for alcohol or drinking, this could be a sign of a more significant mental health issue. If, despite your efforts to educate and support your daughter, she continues to use drinking slang and is showing continual signs of alcohol abuse, it may indicate a deeper mental health issue that requires professional help. Seeking treatment for both alcohol use and any underlying mental health challenges is crucial in addressing the root cause of her behavior.
If you’re worried about your teen daughter using street names of alcohol or drinking problems along with mental health challenges, we’re here to help. Call the New Haven team at 385-444-9931 or contact us today, and we’ll help your daughter overcome difficult mental health issues associated with drinking.