Alcohol and teenagers

Experimentation is a normal part of growing up, but risky drinking can lead to harms such as binge drinking, drink driving and unsafe sex. You can’t always stop young people from trying alcohol, but you can encourage safer habits and stay connected so they feel able to come to you with questions.

Health guidance widely agrees that the safest option for people under 18 is to not drink alcohol at all. Laws about supplying alcohol to minors vary from place to place, including at home, so it is worth checking the rules where you live.

Drinking trends among young people#

Younger people are increasingly choosing not to drink alcohol, and on average young people are trying alcohol for the first time at a later age than in the past. Studies consistently show that the most influential role models for children are their parents and carers.

Modelling safer use#

You can model healthy habits by:

• staying within commonly recommended drinking limits for adults
• having alcohol-free days during the week
• socialising without alcohol
• managing stress in healthy ways, such as exercise or mindfulness
• never driving after drinking

Because experimentation is normal, the goal is to create a space where a young person feels safe to ask questions. When they feel safe, they are more likely to reach out for help when they need it.

Talking with your teenager#

Helpful steps include:

• Thinking about what young people learn from the drinking behaviour around them.
• Teaching children about alcohol from an early age.
• Talking about coping strategies that feel good and don’t involve alcohol.
• Explaining the downsides of heavy and binge drinking, such as vomiting, head spins, passing out and hangovers.
• Explaining how alcohol affects decision-making and increases the risk of accidents and injury.
• Discussing what saying no can look like, what a standard drink is, how to pace yourself, alternating alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks, and not drinking on an empty stomach.
• Making sure they have a plan to get home safely, such as public transport, a designated driver or calling home.
• Reminding them that you care about them and want them to be safe.
• Encouraging them to look out for their friends when drinking.

Support open communication by asking curious, non-judgemental questions about their life.

Factors that encourage safer use#

Research points to several protective factors:

• encouraging young people to avoid regular alcohol use
• promoting delaying the first drink
• building relationships where they feel safe to talk about their drinking
• helping them feel a sense of belonging through family, school, activities or hobbies
• reinforcing positive achievements and experiences at school
• encouraging a supportive relationship with a trusted adult outside the family, such as a relative, teacher or support worker
• encouraging them to contribute to their community
• helping them feel respected and cared for

Why alcohol is riskier for teenagers#

The brain keeps developing into the mid-twenties, so drinking as a teenager can increase the risk of harm to the developing brain and of alcohol problems later in life. Young people under 15 are particularly at risk.

The areas of the brain that change the most during the teenage years are the frontal lobe and hippocampus, which are linked to motivation, impulse control and addiction. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, meaning it can harm the brain. Heavy use also interferes with the absorption of vitamin B, which affects brain function. Long-term drinking above recommended levels can lead to lasting problems, including difficulties with learning, memory and balance.

Binge drinking#

Drinking a lot in one session with the aim of getting drunk is known as binge drinking. It is also commonly defined as drinking above recommended single-session limits. Remember that drinks come in different sizes and strengths.

Common effects of binge drinking include shakiness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and hangovers. While hangovers are unpleasant, they do pass. The bigger concern is that binge drinking can lead a young person to make decisions they wouldn’t usually make.

Alcohol and risk taking#

Young people are more likely to take risks when drinking. Alcohol is a significant factor in many risky and dangerous situations, including:

• fighting or brawling
• drowning
• drug overdose
• self-harm and suicide
• car crashes

Road crashes are a leading cause of death for young adults, and alcohol is involved in a large share of them. Having a safety plan can help reduce the risk of dangerous behaviour such as swimming or drink driving. Driving or swimming under the influence is dangerous and can harm the young person and others.

Alcohol and consent#

Alcohol and other drugs affect a person’s ability to give consent. Let young people know that if they, or someone else, is drunk or high, they cannot give consent. Engaging in sexual activity with anyone who cannot give informed consent is sexual assault.

Mixing alcohol with other drugs#

Mixing drugs often increases the risk of harm. Combining alcohol with other drugs that also suppress the central nervous system can be especially dangerous: it can slow breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels and increase the risk of overdose. Some combinations can also lead to increased risk taking.

Key points#

• The safest option for people under 18 is to not drink alcohol.
• Parents and carers are the most influential role models, and experimentation is normal.
• Alcohol can harm the still-developing teenage brain, and those under 15 are particularly at risk.
• Binge drinking and drinking with other drugs sharply increase the risk of harm.
• A safety plan, open communication and a sense of belonging all help reduce alcohol-related harm.

Where to get help#