Teens and Alcohol

Learn tips and facts to help you talk with your teen about alcohol.

Adolescent Interest Group

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Part of growing up involves testing personal and social boundaries. This typically includes trying new things, including potentially harmful substances such as alcohol.

Teens may try alcohol due to stress, peer pressure, curiosity, trying to copy parents or adult behavior, because it feels good or because it’s easy to get.

It’s hard to know which teens will merely try alcohol, drink casually or potentially develop alcohol dependency. Help reduce the chances of potentially harmful situations by keeping the conversation regarding alcohol open. Use the following information and tips to help you and your teen understand the risks of alcohol, define ways to drink responsibly or how to decline drinking altogether, and how to identify alcohol abuse.

Quick Facts

Alcohol is the most popular drug of choice among teens.
Alcohol-related car crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults.
Many drownings, suicides, homicides and injuries involve alcohol use.
Beer and wine are not safer than hard liquor.
It’s illegal in most states to provide alcohol to minors who are not members of the family.
Using alcohol at a young age – especially before high school – increases the risk for later use of other drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine.
Many teens abuse alcohol. As early as the eighth grade, some students report heavy drinking.
Most states have “zero-tolerance” laws. This means that underage drivers (less than 21 years) with even a trace of alcohol on their breath will lose their driver’s license.

Tips for Parents

Talk about family expectations and rules about alcohol use. Clearly state and enforce the consequences for breaking the rules.
Frequently express how you feel about underage drinking. However, do not lecture or threaten your teen about alcohol use.
Talk about personal, family, social or religious values that give your teen reasons not to drink.
Talk about any religious or cultural traditions in your family that include the acceptable use of alcohol.
Make it clear that drinking and driving or riding with someone who has been drinking will not be tolerated. Ask your teen to call for a ride, take a cab or call for permission to stay overnight if they or a friend who is driving has been drinking. This doesn’t give teens permission to drink; it tells them that their safety is most important.
Talk with your teen about ways to handle pressure from friends to drink. Teach your teen how to say “no” and to suggest doing something different (safe). To feel comfortable talking openly with you, your teen needs to know that you won’t punish them for being honest.
Help your teen to develop outside interests. Encourage them to join a team or club, become a volunteer, get a part-time job or take music lessons.
When your teens want to talk about alcohol, listen to their opinions, help them make good decisions and treat them with respect.
Get to know your teen’s friends. Know where they hang out and what they’re doing. Talk with their friends’ parents about alcohol.
Do not serve alcohol to your teens or their friends. Lock your liquor cabinet.
Do not ask your teen to open a bottle of wine, bring you a beer or pour drinks.
Be a role model. If you drink, do so responsibly. Never drink and drive! Don’t use alcohol as a way to cope with stress, depression or anger.
If you have a drinking problem or think you may have one, help is available. Talk to a healthcare professional, counselor or someone else you trust.

Tips for Teens to Say, "No" to Alcohol

Say it like you mean it.
You don’t have to give reasons or excuses. “No” by itself is enough.
Suggest doing something other than drinking.
If the person continues to pressure you, walk away.

What Should I do if my Teen Uses Alcohol?

Calmly talk about the extent of use – how often, how much, with whom, where and why. Explain why you’re concerned. Remind your teen of your rules about alcohol use and enforce the consequences for breaking them.

If you have reason to believe your teen is abusing alcohol or your efforts to enforce the rules repeatedly fail, seek help from a counselor or healthcare professional

Helpful Resources

No matter what your views are about teen and preteen drinking, knowledgeable information about alcohol can help you address alcohol issues with your teen.

Alcohol and Drug Use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides useful facts and resources regarding underage drinking.
MADD: No More Victims. Parents are the most important influence in preventing underage drinking and driving. Learn how to start the conversation and help prevent tragedies.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This in-depth site includes current research, news and events, resources, FAQs and more. You can also download useful pamphlets, posters, reports, graphics and more.
Stop Underage Drinking. This government website provides links to resources to help you discuss alcohol with your children.

Reviewed by: Melissa Raby, M.P.H.

Last reviewed: October 2019

PAMF does not sponsor or endorse any of the sites referenced in this article, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.