Young people who drink are more likely than others to be victims of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. Teens who use alcohol are more likely to be sexually active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex than teens who do not drink.
Alcohol use also is linked with teen deaths by drowning, suicide, and homicide. As a result:Īlcohol-related traffic crashes are a major cause of death among young people. Not only does alcohol affect the mind and body in often unpredictable ways, but teens lack the judgment and coping skills to handle alcohol wisely. While some parents and guardians may feel relieved that their teen is “only” drinking, it is important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug. Although most children under age 14 have not yet begun to drink, early adolescence is a time of special risk for beginning to experiment with alcohol. In fact, alcohol is used by more young people than tobacco or illicit drugs. (Note: This booklet uses a variety of terms to refer to young people ages 10 to 14, including youngsters, children, kids, and young teens.)įor young people, alcohol is the drug of choice. So make no mistake: You can make a difference. And parents’ disapproval of youthful alcohol use is the key reason children choose not to drink. The bottom line is that most young teens don’t yet drink. Study after study shows that even during the teen years, parents have enormous influence on their children’s behavior. Fitting in is a chief priority for teens, and parents often feel shoved aside. It’s not easy. As children approach adolescence, friends exert a lot of influence. Act now. Keeping quiet about how you feel about your child’s alcohol use may give him or her the impression that alcohol use is OK for kids. Even if your child is not yet drinking alcohol, he or she may be receiving pressure to drink. This is the age when some children begin experimenting with alcohol. “Isn’t it a little early to be concerned about drinking?” Not at all. “But my child isn’t drinking yet,” you may think. Your child looks to you for guidance and support in making life decisions-including the decision not to use alcohol. Trust your instincts. Choose ideas you are comfortable with, and use your own style in carrying out the approaches you find useful. Keep in mind that the suggestions on the following pages are just that-suggestions. This guide is geared to parents and guardians of young people ages 10 to 14. And it’s dangerous. Kids who drink are more likely to:īe involved in drinking-related traffic crashes. It’s also illegal to drink under the age of 21. With so many drugs available to young people these days, you may wonder, “Why develop a booklet about helping kids avoid alcohol?” Alcohol is a drug, as surely as cocaine and marijuana are. Parents can have a major impact on their children’s drinking, especially during the preteen and early teen years. You have more influence on your child’s values and decisions about drinking before he or she begins to use alcohol. Kids who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, to be involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes, and to have serious school-related problems. Centers and Training Working Group Roster.Alcohol Screening & Brief Intervention for Youth.Resources from the NIAAA College Task Force.Alcohol Interventions for Young Adults.