The PAStart Communication Action Series
ALCOHOL Toolkit
- Parents have the most influence on their teens’ decision to use alcohol.
- Most teens who start drinking before age 21 do so when they are about 13-14 years old.
- Teens who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, have serious school-related problems, and be involved in more alcohol-related traffic accidents.
- The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days:
– 29% drank alcohol.
– 14% binge drank.
– 5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol.
– 17% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
- Be empathetic.
- Try to recall what it was like to be a teen.
- Ask questions.
- Be an attentive listener.
- Employ Positive Parenting techniques.
- Avoid criticism.
- Commit to patience.
- Share facts and resources.
- Answer questions.
- Remind and repeat.
The best time to talk to your teens about alcohol is before they start.
Underage drinking, defined as anyone under age 21 consuming alcohol, is a significant public health problem.
A common misperception is that teen alcohol use is “normal” for that age group. This misperception does not take into account that the teenage brain physiologically varies from adults. Consequently, alcohol use during the teen years creates the foundation for increased risk for immediate and lasting harm. These harms can include changes in school performance, motor vehicle accidents, procurement of sexually transmitted diseases, physical violence, increased risk of suicide, legal problems, and addiction.*
Research suggests that there are a multitude of reasons that increase the likelihood of teens alcohol use. However strong these reasons may be, it is important to remember that parents have the most influence on their teen’s decision to use alcohol before teens begin to use.
A common misperception of teen alcohol use is that it is developmentally normative. This misperception does not take into account that the teenage brain physiologically varies from adults. From early adolescence through the mid-to-late 20s, the brain develops unevenly. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, is not fully formed which results in teen’s risky behavior. Unfortunately, developing brains are also more susceptible to damage from outside influences than adult brains. Consequently, alcohol use during the teen years creates the foundation for increased risk for immediate and lasting harm. These harms can include changes in school performance, injury, motor vehicle accidents, procurement of sexually transmitted diseases, physical violence, memory problems, increased risk of suicide, legal problems, and addiction, (drugfree.org, n.d.).
Although parents have a large impact on youth decisions to drink, so to do alcohol advertising and marketing efforts. Evidence from long-term studies suggests that the greater exposure to alcohol advertising, the increase in youth drinking that resulted. Specifically, for each additional alcohol ad a teen viewed (above the monthly average of 23), he or she drank 1% more.
The following are common signs of teen alcohol use: mood changes, school problems, acquiring a “nothing matters” attitude, physical concerns (lack of coordination, slurred speech), and rebelling against family rules.* It is important to remember that these signs can be challenging to identify, as some are common with developing teens. Therefore, it is important to talk to your teens using the guidance provided in this toolkit.
Under the Influence of Advertising
Evidence from long-term studies show that the more often teens are exposed to alcohol marketing, the greater the likelihood that they will start drinking – or if already drinking – that they will drink more (for every alcohol ad viewed, teens were shown to drink 1% more).
START Here
Now that you know, where do you start? Learning these facts is important. But it’s just as crucial to create a plan for an open dialogue and to be mindful of engaging your teen with respect. Positive role modeling, compassion and the truth will go a long way to help you start acting.
1. Before You Talk: Be Ready to Listen.
IMPORTANT: No one resource, or document is a magic bullet. Assemble all the available tools at your disposal into your playbook. Start with the great resources offered at the PA Liquor Control Board (PLCB) website: Know When. Know How.
2. The Conversation: Look for Your Moment.
3. You've Gotten Their Attention: Now What?
4. Great Start: Don’t Stop!
All these pieces can help to formulate a communication plan for you and your teen, but alcohol can be addictive. Research suggests that teens that begin drinking before age 15 have a 41% change of struggling with alcohol dependence later in life. One talk is probably not going to be enough. Your teen is going to need ongoing support to help them quit. Keep the lines of communication open and the conversation alive. Discover resources together and encourage them to be part of the process. One resource available to help your teen feel empowered to quit is the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services National Helpline*
Regardless of all the resources that alcohol companies pour into their marketing and lobbying efforts, the truth is out there and available. All these tools and more are available on the PAStart.org/Alcohol. Use our collection of links and materials to create a strategy that will engage and empower you and your teen. They’re all designed to help you get started.