Alcohol and teenagers

Alcohol is widely used by young people for a range of reasons including curiosity, experimentation and trying to fit in with a group. While stages of exploration are normal for teenagers, risky drinking can also lead to binge drinking, drink driving, and unsafe sex.

It’s difficult to prevent teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but parents and carers can encourage safer drinking habits.

The Australian alcohol guidelines state the safest option for people under 18 is not to drink.

Be aware of the laws about serving alcohol to minors in your state or territory, including in your own home, as these have changed in some states.

If you're unsure about secondary supply laws call DrugInfo on 1300 85 85 84, contact your local legal aid service or visit the Youth Law Australia website to find out the situation in your area.

Teen alcohol usage statistics

The 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found 66% of 14–17-year olds have never had a full serve of alcohol.

It also found 2.8% of 14–17-year olds drink weekly (while for the 18–24 age group, the figure is 27.9%).

Younger people are increasingly choosing not to drink alcohol. From 2007 to 2019:

• 14–17-year-olds choosing not to drink rose from 39% to 73%
• 18–24-year-olds choosing not to drink rose from 13.1% to 21%.

The average age of young people trying alcohol for the first time has also risen, from 14.7 years in 2001 to 16.2 years in 2019.

How parents can encourage safer drinking and help seeking

Studies have shown that the most influential role models for children are their parents and carers. Encouraging safer use and positive role modelling can look like:

• Sticking to the Australian Guidelines – no more than 10 standard drinks in a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one occasion.
• Having alcohol free days in your week.
• Socialising without alcohol.
• Managing stress in healthy ways, like exercising or practising mindfulness techniques.
• Not driving after drinking alcohol.

Talking to teenagers about drinking

As parents and carers, it’s important to remember that experimentation is normal for young people. This may include alcohol and other drugs.

You can encourage safer drinking behaviour and create a space where the young person feels safe to come to you about any questions. This can mean they are more likely to reach out for help when they need.

Suggestions include:

• Thinking about what the young person is learning from the alcohol use behaviours around them.
• Teaching your child about alcohol from an early age.
• Talking about what coping strategies are helpful for the young person, and how we can lean towards behaviours that feel good for them that don’t involve alcohol.
• Explain the downside of heavy and binge drinking (such as vomiting, head spins, passing out and hangovers).
• Educate your teenager on how alcohol impacts your ability to make decisions – such as the increased risk of accidents and injury.
• Have a chat to your teenager about what saying no could look like, what a standard drink is, how to pace themselves, alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks and not drinking on an empty stomach.
• Ensuring that the young person has a plan on how to get home (such as catching public transport, designated drivers or calling home). Remind them that you care about them and want to make sure they are safe.
• Encourage your teenager to chat to their mates about how they will look out for each other when drinking.

For more information, see the Alcohol and Drug Foundation's Talk about it resource.

Encouraging safer alcohol use

According to research, there are many important factors that encourage safer alcohol use:

• Support open communication by asking curious, non-judgemental questions about their life.
• Encourage them to avoid regular use of alcohol.
• Promote delaying the first time they drink.
• Encourage positive relationships where the young person feels safe to chat about their alcohol use if they feel it is impacting them.
• Help them to feel a sense of belonging with family, school or through activities and hobbies (such as a sporting club).
• Reinforce positive achievements and experiences at school.
• Encourage them to have a supportive relationship with a trusted adult outside the family (such as an older relative or friend, teacher, or support worker).
• Encourage them to look for opportunities to contribute to their community.
• Help them feel respected and cared for.

Alcohol and its health risks for young people

Young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults. As the brain keeps developing into the mid-twenties, drinking alcohol as a teenager can increase the risk of harm to the developing brain. It can also lead to trouble with alcohol later in life.

Drinking a lot of alcohol in one session with the aim of getting drunk is known as binge drinking. (Binge drinking is also defined as drinking over the recommended level of standard drinks. This usually means no more than 4 standard drinks in one session). Drinks come in different sizes and strengths too.

Common effects of binge drinking include:

• hangovers
• headaches
• nausea and vomiting
• shakiness.

People will often experience a hangover after a binge drinking session. While hangovers are unpleasant, they do pass.

It’s important to remember that binge drinking can mean that the young person might make decisions, they might not make usually. Having a safety plan in place can help reduce the risk of engaging in risky behaviours like swimming or drink driving.

Drink driving

Car accidents and drink driving are a leading cause of death for young adults.

In 2018, 14% of drivers who lost their lives on Victorian roads were aged between 18-25, and 75% were involved in crashes that occurred at high alcohol times (times of the day or week where fatal crashes are 10 times more likely to involve alcohol).

Alcohol and sex

Alcohol and other drugs affect someone’s ability to give consent. Let the young person know that if they, or someone else, is drunk or high, they can’t give consent.

Engaging in sexual activities with anyone who can’t give informed consent is sexual assault.

You can find more information in the ADF's Alcohol and consent, ReachOut’s guide on consent, and Raising Children’s page on getting and giving sexual consent.

Alcohol can impair brain development

Drinking alcohol can affect how the brain develops. Young people under 15 years are particularly at risk. Teenage brains are still developing, and the areas of the brain that undergo the most significant changes during the teenage years are the frontal lobe and hippocampus. These areas are associated with motivation, impulse control and addiction.

Alcohol is a neurotoxin, which means it can harm the brain. One of the effects of excessive alcohol use is that it interferes with vitamin B absorption, which impacts the brain’s function.

Long-term drinking above the recommended levels may lead to a range of conditions, collectively known as alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI). Symptoms can include learning and memory challenges, and difficulties with balance.

Drinking alcohol and risk taking

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

• fighting or brawling
• drowning
• drug overdose
• self-harm
• suicide.

Schoolies week and alcohol

Celebrating the end of high school (schoolies week) is often linked to high levels of single-session drinking or deliberately drinking to get drunk.

According to an Australian study of school leavers, over 90% reported drinking alcohol – consuming on average 8 standard drinks in the previous 12 hours.

Mixing alcohol with other drugs

Mixing drugs often increases the risk of harm. Taking alcohol with other drugs that also suppress the central nervous system (such as heroin and benzodiazepines) can be particularly risky. It can cause a person’s breathing and heart rate to decrease to dangerous levels and increase the risk of overdose.

The combination of alcohol and drugs (including cannabis) can also lead to increased risk taking. Driving or swimming while under the influence is dangerous – a young person may harm themselves and others.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation Tel. 1300 85 85 84
• DirectLine – 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral Tel. 1800 888 236
• Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) – information and support for people concerned about a relative or friend using drugs Tel. 1300 660 068
• DrugInfo. Tel. 1300 85 85 84 – for information
• Kids Helpline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) –– confidential and private counselling service for children and young people (5-25 years). Tel: 1800 55 1800
• Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) –– for people aged between 12 and 21 who are experiencing problems related to alcohol and other drugs Tel: 1800 458 685