Teenagers and alcohol

Many young people start experimenting with alcohol during their teenage years, especially when they’re socialising. It can be difficult to strike a balance between keeping your teen safe, while still allowing them the freedom to experience their teenage years. By role modelling moderate drinking behaviours and setting clear expectations, you can provide a strong foundation for healthy attitudes toward alcohol.

Why do teenagers drink alcohol?

Alcohol plays a significant role in Australian culture, and teens are generally aware of that. They may drink to celebrate an achievement or to fit in at a party because their peers or role models are doing it.

It's essential to be clear that excessive or irresponsible drinking can have serious consequences so that teenagers understand the risks associated with alcohol and, if they still choose to drink, learn how to do it safely and responsibly.

What are the effects of teenage drinking on the brain?

Alcohol affects a young brain more than a fully developed adult one. Developmental processes are still happening in the brain until around age 26. If your teen drinks alcohol, it can cause irreversible changes to their brain, particularly to the area responsible for rational thinking. Damage to this part of the brain before it’s fully developed can lead to learning difficulties, memory problems and impaired problem solving. The longer your teenager delays using alcohol, and the less they drink, the better their brain functioning will be now and later in life.

Other risks and effects of alcohol on teenagers

Alcohol can significantly affect how teenagers function, how they recognise risks, and their ability to make good decisions. Underage drinking makes teens more likely to put themselves in risky situations, which may result in harm to themselves or others.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows down the brain. The more alcohol is consumed, the greater the effect. Other consequences of underage drinking can include:

• slurred speech

• poor judgement

• lack of coordination

• slower reactions

• confusion

• heightened sense of confidence (which leads to more risk-taking)

• poor sleep.

What are the long-term effects of underage drinking?

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation cite the following as long-term effects of drinking: 

• worsening of mental health conditions

• poor memory and brain damage

• difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

• difficulty having children

• liver disease

• cancer

• high blood pressure and heart disease

• needing to drink more to get the same effect

• physical dependence on alcohol.

What to do if your teenager is drinking alcohol

It’s likely that at some stage your teenager will drink, in spite of all the risks. The safest approach is to encourage your child not to drink at all. It can be useful to talk to them about the risks of underage drinking, and talk about ways of having a good time without alcohol. Knowing that your teen will probably be exposed to alcohol, it’s more realistic to focus on setting clear boundaries about how they consume it, if they do. Learn more about how to set expectations with teenagers about alcohol.

Reducing the harmful effects of alcohol on teenagers

You can help reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on your teenager by setting clear expectations about what is acceptable and unacceptable during their teen years and beyond. This is a conversation you’ll have to repeat throughout their teenage years. Set good standards that your teen can learn from by role modelling responsible drinking behaviours yourself.

It’s common for parents to think that if they allow their teenager alcohol in moderation while they’re in a safe environment, such as a glass of wine with dinner at home, this will lead to a better relationship with alcohol. But research tells us this isn’t the case. Parents should actively encourage their teenager to delay drinking any alcohol for as long as possible.