How to Talk to Teenagers About Alcohol Risks

Alcohol is so prominent in society. So much so, it’s impossible to hide it from your children. Which is fine, if it’s approached in the right manner.

Once our children hit their teenage years, they may have questions about alcohol, whether it be after a trip to the pub with parents, or having seen it being used or abused on TV. It’s a conversation you’ll likely have to have at some point, and delivering the information effectively is key.

The likes of peer pressure, curiousity and even seeking out independence can all increase the desire for alcohol as a teen, particularly when there’s the belief that “everybody else is doing it”.

Here are some top tips on how to have the conversation…

Why it matters

A question that should already be answered, given the widespread availability of alcohol and the fact that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are living with addiction. Visit the best alcohol rehab centre in your region and you’ll find patients that can trace their issues with booze back to their teenage years. So it’s important to have that conversation.

While underage drinking has declined in more recent years, with reports stating the likes of Gen Z are shunning alcohol, there are still risks, with binge drinking and alcohol poisoning still problematic. 

What’s more, the teenage brain is still developing up until the mid-20s, which can make younger people especially vulnerable, so it’s important to equip teens with the right amount of knowledge.

Start early and keep it ongoing

Deciding on the right time to start discussing alcohol with your teen is a big and important decision. It shouldn’t be a one off lecture, but rather a series of age-appropriate, open discussions. 

Start early with them but keep the subject matter understandable to them and as they grow you can move from the simple explanations into the complexities, so that when they come face to face with alcohol, they know about things like peer pressure, the health risks and even the legality of it.

Be honest and factual

What you don’t want to do is blow things out of proportion or exaggerate. Teens can be quick to spot this and it’ll also undermine the credibility of what you’re saying. Be open, honest and factual.

Explain the effects of alcohol and what it means in real-world terms. You may even want to draw on your own experiences which will add a deeper level of connection and understanding too. 

It’s important to also acknowledge that drinking alcohol is perfectly legal and acceptable in society for adults, in moderation, and will prevent you from sounding too hypocritical, particularly if you are a drinker.

Listen as much as you talk

Be careful not to turn your conversation into a lecture. Make the conversation a two-way street, asking them how they feel, what they know and any concerns they may have.

By actively listening you can give them the confidence that they will reach out if they have any future concerns, feel they are being pressured or have encountered a difficult situation involving alcohol.

Address peer pressure

Peer pressure should be addressed. It often plays a big part in teen drinking and so many of us have picked up a bottle in fear of being excluded. Discuss peer pressure and, importantly, ways in which to handle it.

Consider things like tactics to negate peer pressure and reinforce the fact that true friends will actually respect your choices, even when it is turning down a drink.

Lead by example

Teenagers learn as much from what adults do as from what they say. Demonstrating moderate, responsible drinking, or choosing not to drink at all, sends a powerful message. If a young person sees adults consistently using alcohol to cope with stress or celebrate success, they may internalise these behaviours. Conversely, modelling healthier coping mechanisms and balanced attitudes towards drinking can help shape their own decisions.

Make safety the priority

Finally, even if you strongly discourage underage drinking, it is important to prepare teenagers for the possibility that they may experiment. They will likely come to a time in their life when they do what to experiment, so emphasise safety in doing so. 

Discuss drink driving, the dangers of drinking games, safe sex, staying with trusted friends and so on. And reassure them that you are always there to help them, without the fear of punishment if they do find themselves in trouble.