Home

Underage Alcohol Use: An Introduction

Helping kids steer clear of alcohol involves more than simply warning them of the dangers; it involves helping them feel safe, supported, and free to talk about anything on their minds. It also requires building a strong relationship with your children and nurturing their personal values and skills to help them make smart decisions.



Did You Know?


  • By the time they graduate from high school, half of all teenagers report drinking alcohol regularly. One-third report binge drinking.


  • The greatest increase in alcohol usage occurs between grades 6 and 10


  • Fifty-five percent of middle and high school students say it is against their values to drink alcohol while they are teenagers.1

Even though it may not seem like it, you are the strongest influence in your child’s life. Your words and actions concerning alcohol use make a big difference in the choices they make now and when they're adults. Chances are you won't be there to guide them through every encounter with alcohol. But you can do a lot "behind the scenes" to help them stay healthy, strong, and safe.

Frequent Questions and Concerns about Underage Alcohol Use

What effect does drinking have on my teen’s brain and body?

Because teens’ brains and bodies are still developing, drinking alcohol can have many serious and long-lasting negative effects, including impairment of healthy development. Check out CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov’s Interactive Body, which follows the path of alcohol through the body and explains its effects on the organs. You can also read Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s report on Underage Drinking and Its Effect on the Brain for more information on teen alcohol use and brain development. For statistics on teens and driving under the influence, see Students Against Destructive Decisions’ Impaired Driving.

What can I do to prevent parties where teens drink alcohol?

Some teens may think that all parties, to be fun, need to be unsupervised and include alcohol or other drugs. If this is the case with your teen, you can help him plan fun parties at a safe location to show him he doesn’t need to partake in these activities to have a good time. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Let the kids use fruit juices to make alcohol-free “mixed drinks,” and point out how much better these drinks taste.
  • Ask your teen if a different trusted adult would be a more appealing chaperone. Your child may be more comfortable if an aunt or uncle provides the necessary supervision.
  • When parties go well, thank your child for being responsible and making smart choices.

Doesn’t it make sense for me to host parties with alcohol so I can keep an eye on all of the teens and make sure they stay safe?

While it may seem like you’re helping kids stay safe by serving alcohol and taking their keys away, you’d actually be undermining the values and boundaries other parents are trying to instill in their children, as well as breaking the law. Serving alcohol to minors is a no-win situation.

How early do kids start drinking?

Children can be pressured into drinking at an early age—many children have had their first drink by age 12 or 13. Because of this, it’s never too early to start talking with your kids about alcohol use and starting to lay the foundation for resistance to peer pressure.

What kinds of consequences will keep my teen from using alcohol?

Many parents struggle with setting effective consequences for alcohol use. Some find that not allowing their teen to use the car for a certain period of time is effective; others may require that their teen stays home for a weekend instead of going out with their friends. Different consequences will be effective for different teens—what’s important is that the consequences are serious enough to deter alcohol use, but not so serious that your child will be afraid to ask for help if she is in trouble or needs a ride home.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Is Drinking

Maybe your child comes home from a party smelling like beer. Or you find that a bottle of wine has gone missing. Whatever has roused your suspicion, it’s important to take action right away—the earlier the issue is addressed, the better the situation will be.

  • If you suspect that your child has a serious drinking problem, don’t hesitate to get professional support and help. Many physicians and addiction counselors can offer information on treatment options. You can also use the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration to find a treatment program near you.
  • If your children try alcohol, address the issue directly and positively. Use it as an opportunity to help them learn from mistakes and make better decisions in the future.
  • Many kids respect a direct, honest approach; if you think your child is drinking, it may be best to just ask them directly. Don’t be condemning or judgmental—just try to get the facts.
  • If your child is drinking, it’s very likely that her friends are drinking as well. Talk to your child’s friends’ parents about ways you can ensure that parties and get-togethers remain alcohol-free, such as by having an adult supervise these events.
  • Getting other adults involved can be a great help if your child begins drinking. By recruiting your relatives, your friends, your child’s friends’ parents, and other caring adults to your cause, you can ensure that your child is receiving positive messages about avoiding alcohol use on a regular basis.

Many teenagers experiment with alcohol, so if you find that your daughter or son has had a few drinks, don’t get too freaked out. It doesn’t mean that she or he is a bad kid—just that you’ll need to take some positive action. Talk to your child right away and work with her or him (and other parents) to prevent further underage alcohol use.

Talking with Your Kids about Alcohol Use

It’s important to start communicating with your child about your values and beliefs as early as possible. By maintaining open and honest communication, you can help your children feel comfortable talking with you about difficult issues, such as alcohol use and peer pressure.

  • Don’t wait for your children to bring up alcohol—use advertisements, news stories, or personal incidents to raise the issue before it becomes a problem. Ask your child what he thinks about the alcohol use he sees on TV, in movies, or among his friends. Point out advertisements that target teens. Talk about your views on underage alcohol use and ask your child what he thinks about it as well.
  • During the high school years, many kids begin to think they’re old enough for sex, drugs, or alcohol. Talk to your child about how she defines maturity and when she thinks individuals are old enough to engage in these activities. Be clear about why you think she should wait until she’s older and which values your opinions represent.
  • Talk to your kids at least weekly about the peer pressure they experience or see at school and in their social groups. Some children are more comfortable talking about what they witness, so be patient if your child doesn’t want to talk about his experiences right away. It’s much easier for some kids to talk about what they see before they talk about what they experience.
  • If you consumed alcohol as a teenager, be honest with your children if they ask about it. Tell them about the consequences you faced.

Talking with your kids about alcohol use isn’t always easy. But it’s important to start the conversation early so you can teach your child the necessary skills to resist alcohol when he or she is faced with a tough decision. Begin talking today so your child’s first lessons about alcohol are from you—and not her or his friends.

Setting Good Examples around Alcohol

How you respond to situations that include alcohol—especially when your children are around—sends a very strong message. Make sure to think about your actions related to drinking and the repercussions they may have (especially with young children).

  • When you talk about alcohol, avoid statements that make it sound necessary or especially fun (don’t say things like “After the day I’ve had, I could use a martini!” around your kids).
  • Model restraint in your own life—if you choose to drink, do so responsibly. If you or your partner struggles with alcohol abuse, seek professional help from a physician or addiction counselor.
  • Don’t laugh at or glorify the actions of people who have had too much to drink—even those on television or in movies.
  • If you choose to consume alcohol, be prepared to answer when your kids ask why they can’t. Keep your answer simple, such as “Alcohol isn’t good for growing bodies and minds.”
  • Always offer plenty of nonalcoholic drink options when you entertain in your home to show your kids that grown-ups don’t need alcohol to have fun together.
  • Set a good example for your children when attending holiday parties; just because it’s New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July doesn’t mean you should drink excessively.

Whether you realize it or not, your kids are watching everything you do, and learning from it. By making sure that your actions around alcohol are responsible, you can send a positive message to your child long before he or she is forced to make a decision about using it.

Helping Other Kids Avoid Alcohol

Parents often feel alone or isolated in their efforts to deal with tough issues such as underage alcohol use. Connect with other families to have an even bigger influence on your children and the children in your community.

  • Get to know your child’s friends. If you get the feeling that one of your child’s friends could be having a bad influence, invite the friend to spend time with you and your child together so you can have a positive influence on the relationship.
  • Let your kids know that you’re always available to help them (and their friends, if need be) out of a high-pressure situation. Offer a “no questions asked until later” ride home from any party, or a pick-up at the end of the block—and emphasize that keeping your child out of a drunk driver’s car is your first concern.
  • Keep track of where your teenager goes and who he is with. If he goes to a party, check in advance whether an adult will be actively present and whether alcohol will be available.
  • Never purchase or provide alcohol for young people, no matter what the occasion.

Raising healthy, responsible kids takes many involved adults. By getting other adults involved in your child’s life—and being a part of other children’s lives—you can make sure that all kids have the support they need to resist underage alcohol use and other negative behaviors.

Underage Alcohol Use: Summary and Next Steps

Underage alcohol use is a serious problem. Many teens are experimenting with and using alcohol on a regular basis—how can you protect your child from the dangers of underage alcohol use? By preparing your daughter or son to deal with peer pressure and negative situations, and taking appropriate action if she or he does experiment with alcohol, you can be sure that you are providing the best possible support for your child. You may even find that you’re making a positive impact in your community by keeping other kids away from alcohol.

Other Useful Web Sites

  • StopAlcoholAbuse.gov — Containing a large number of federal resources, this is a comprehensive action site aimed at reducing underage alcohol use.