A minor-in-possession or open-container citation is a meaningful safety and legal concern, but one citation alone does not prove that a person has an alcohol or drug use disorder. Underage drinking is associated with injuries, school and relationship problems, impaired judgment, and elevated risk for later alcohol-related problems, so a citation is a reasonable prompt for screening and an honest assessment of use.
Your loved one may minimize the event as bad luck, “something everyone does,” or an overreaction by police, rather than recognize the safety and legal consequences. Repeated alcohol- or drug-related citations, risky settings, driving involvement, or continued use after consequences are much more concerning than an isolated event.
Use the Checklist and Rating Scale to document specific, repeated behaviors. Address the citation calmly and directly, require compliance with court, school, or licensing obligations, and arrange an age-appropriate alcohol-and-drug screening through a pediatrician, primary-care clinician, school counselor, or qualified treatment provider. Set clear rules about possession, intoxication, transportation, curfews, and safety, while focusing on prevention and help rather than shame or arguments about whether the charge was deserved.
If your loved one gets cited for a Minor in Possession (MIP) or an open container violation, do not brush it off as a harmless mistake or a “youthful indiscretion.” While it is easy to shrug these off as typical rebellion, a legal citation actually signals a level of carelessness and lack of control that goes way beyond normal experimentation.
When confronted, they will almost certainly try to minimize it. They might say, “Everyone does this,” “It was just bad luck,” or accuse you of “making a mountain out of a molehill.” This is a classic deflection tactic. By convincing you that you are overreacting, they shift the focus away from their dangerous behavior and protect their habit from your concern.
This same denial carries over into adulthood with open container charges in cars or public spaces. An adult caught drinking in a vehicle isn’t just having a bad day; they are showing a dangerous compulsion to drink in high-risk settings, usually blaming “bored cops” instead of their own choices.
These legal run-ins are rarely isolated incidents. They are the highly visible tip of a much larger iceberg. When your loved one normalizes illegal behavior and gaslights you to avoid accountability, they are hiding a deeper struggle. Don’t let them laugh it off as bad luck—it is a clear warning that they are losing control. Any formal charge that involves the use of alcohol and/or other drugs is a serious indicator that there is an addiction at work, i.e., given the choice between using and any threat or consequence, the person who chooses to use alcohol or other drugs is turning over their decision making to the bottle, the joint, the syringe, or the pill.
This sign is for awareness and education only. It is useful as a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. It is not a substitute for professional assessment or treatment. If you are concerned about someone you love, speaking with a qualified addiction counselor or psychologist is always the right next step.
Why should you sign up for this newsletter? Because periodically we send out information that might be helpful to you in the future, that way you won’t miss out on relevant information important to you and you loved one.