While recent statistics show a promising decline in teen alcohol consumption, it’s as important as ever for parents to talk to their teens about the risks and dangers of drinking.
Moreover, teens suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues are more likely to use substances, including alcohol, to self-medicate.
Research shows that teens who have open conversations about alcohol with their parents are less likely to engage in risky drinking behaviors. By starting the dialogue early, parents can play a significant role in shaping their teen’s attitudes toward alcohol and their willingness to make healthier choices as they navigate adolescence.
What You’ll Learn
- What are some of the reasons teens turn to alcohol?
- What are the latest statistics on teen alcohol use?
- How do you talk to your teen about drinking?
- How does Newport Academy treat teens with alcohol use disorder?
Quick Read
The article emphasizes the need for parents to engage in conversations about alcohol use with their teens, despite a recent decline in consumption rates. Teens often drink due to peer pressure, rebellion, or mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Open discussions can help shape their attitudes and reduce risky behaviors. Parents should be aware of signs of alcohol use and create a supportive environment for their children to discuss their struggles.
Parents are encouraged to start these conversations early and maintain a calm, respectful dialogue. They should discuss the dangers of drinking, the impact of peer pressure, and the relationship between alcohol and mental health. By modeling healthy attitudes toward alcohol and knowing their child’s friends, parents can help mitigate the risks associated with teen drinking. Ultimately, effective communication is key to preventing alcohol use and supporting teens through their challenges.
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Why Teens Drink
There are several factors that contribute to teen drinking. Understanding the underlying reasons can help parents teach their teens resilience and decision-making skills so they can handle challenges without turning to alcohol.
Peer Pressure
A significant reason teens may experiment with alcohol is peer pressure, or the need for social acceptance. Adolescence is a time when being accepted is particularly strong, and many teens feel pressured to conform to group norms. It’s not uncommon for teens to try alcohol just to feel like they are part of a group, even if they might not be fully aware of the risks involved.
One study found that that while risky behavior is nothing new in the world of adolescence, peer pressure is one of the major sources for influencing this behavior. The study states, “Peers are capable of bringing up and down adolescents rate of engaging in risky behavior depending on the quality of the friendship.”
Teen Rebellion
Rebellion, pushing boundaries, and breaking rules are all a natural part of being a teenager. It’s not uncommon for teens to rebel against authority as they try to find their own identity separate from their parents.
But when teen rebellion involves alcohol, the consequences can be severe, even deadly. It’s critical for parents who are dealing with a rebellious teen to monitor their behavior, their friend groups, and be aware of the signs of alcohol use.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can drive some teens toward alcohol as a coping mechanism. For those struggling with emotional challenges, drinking may appear to provide temporary relief or a way to escape their feelings. This is why it’s important for parents to be aware of their teen’s mental health and to create a supportive environment where they feel safe discussing their struggles.
2025 Teen Alcohol Use Statistics
Overall, teen drinking is on the decline. Here are the latest statistics on teen alcohol use:
- According to the 2025 State of Mental Health in America report, the percentage of US youth ages 12–17 with substance use disorder decreased from 9 percent in 2021 to 7.8 percent in 2024
- In the same report, the percentage of 8th–12th graders abstaining from alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine was the highest recorded since 2017
- The 2024 Monitoring the Future found the amount of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who reported lifetime, annual, current, and binge drinking reached historic lows in 2024
- Additionally, the study shows the long-term trend of US teens reporting they have been drunk in the past month is down 44 percent over the past decade
While these statistics show a significant decline in teenage drinking, more can be done to reduce underage drinking according to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report. Around five million young people ages 12–20 still report current alcohol consumption. Parents have the power to reach teens before they experiment with alcohol or other harmful substances.
The Dangers of Teen Alcohol Use
Many of the dangers of teen alcohol use are well-known. They include several causes of death, including car accidents, homicides, and suicides, as well as other accidents directly related to alcohol consumption, such as alcohol poisoning. Every day, about 34 people in the US die in drunk-driving crashes.
Furthermore, alcohol use can also lead to the use of other substances. In turn, teenage alcohol and substance use can result in legal problems, as well as difficulty in daily life—with work, academics, and relationships.
Early drinking is a risk factor for alcohol use disorders. According to SAMHSA, adults who had taken their first drink of alcohol before the age of 15 were 6.5 times more likely to experience an alcohol use disorder than those who didn’t start drinking before age 21. In addition, lesser-known risks of alcohol use include impaired development of the teen brain, including structure, function, and cognitive abilities.
Signs That Your Child May Be Drinking
Teens usually try to hide their drinking from their parents. However, there are a variety of signs of teen alcohol use that parents can watch for:
- Changes in mood, such as increased irritability and anger
- Behavioral or academic problems at school
- Being rebellious
- A new group of friends
- Being lethargic or showing less interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Memory or concentration issues
- Physical coordination issues, including slurred speech.
Drinking and Mental Health Issues
When a teen is suffering from anxiety, situational depression, collective trauma, or other mental health issues, the issue can manifest as alcohol abuse. This is known as a co-occurring disorder, and adds another layer of concern for parents. Unfortunately, teens suffering from a mood disorder are more likely to use alcohol than their peers, as they are seeking a form of self-medication.
Moreover, research shows that alcohol use exacerbates symptoms of a mental health disorder. And it goes the other way, too: Teens struggling with their mental health often have a more extreme reaction to alcohol. There are additional risks if they are taking medication for depression or another mental health issue, as alcohol is contraindicated for many medications. Therefore, teens who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue must be educated on the higher risks of alcohol use.
Talking to Teens About Drinking Early
Ideally, parents should have conversations about alcohol well before a teen is interested in drinking. However, it is never too late to talk to your teen about alcohol use. Having open discussions about these sensitive topics creates an environment of trust and love that encourages children to disclose their thoughts and emotions.
Here are some of the things parents can discuss with their children regarding alcohol:
- The dangers of drinking, short and long-term
- What it means for adults to drink responsibly
- Peer pressure and choosing friends wisely
- The effects of alcohol on mental health
- How drinking can be a symptom of trauma, anxiety, or depression
How to Talk to Your Teen so They’ll Listen
When speaking about teen alcohol use, parents should do their best to remain calm and listen well to their children. Accusations, combativeness, and threats will only serve to create distance and defensiveness in teenagers. Adolescents who feel respected, trusted, and loved unconditionally will always respond better to important conversations. Not every child can be expected to immediately open up and confess everything. Still, when it’s delivered with love and trust, a parent’s message will be heard.
In addition, one of the best ways to combat peer pressure is to know your child’s friends. When parents spend quality time with their child’s friends, invite them into their home, and forge respectful relationships with them, it shows they care. Having parents who care reduces the need for teens to seek outside approval and a sense of belonging from peers. Therefore, they are less likely to drink and use drugs as a way of bonding with friends.
Setting an Example About Drinking
Attitudes and behaviors around teen drinking often have a foundation in the home. If alcohol is forbidden by the family, it can be more enticing to teens. On the other side of the coin, if someone in the home binge drinks or is alcohol dependent, those behaviors are often replicated in the next generation, studies show. Likewise, if the attitudes and behaviors about alcohol are healthy and spoken about openly, kids are more likely to also display healthy attitudes and behaviors toward drinking. However, that doesn’t mean inviting children to drink: Parents should be sure that they are not making alcohol available to their children.
Ultimately, parent-child communication is key in avoiding teen alcohol use. Parents need to be aware of teen alcohol use and how it relates to teen anxiety and depression. If a teen is drinking alone or with others, whether in person or while socializing remotely, parents need to dig deeper and explore what their children are going through and whether they need mental health support.
Talking to teens about anything can be daunting, and drinking is a serious subject. If a child shows signs of teenage drinking, these conversations are even more critical and time sensitive. Parents can reach out to Newport Academy or a local mental health or addiction expert for help in communicating with teens about alcohol.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment at Newport Academy
At Newport, our teen substance use programs don’t just address addiction in teens, they strengthen family relationships and heal the underlying mental health issues at the root of the problem. We understand that adolescent substance use is typically a sign of anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue. Our approach to teen substance use starts with a detailed assessment, which informs a tailored treatment plan for each client and family. Contact us today to get started.
Sources:
2025 State of Mental Health in America report,
2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report.
Research on the Influence of Peer Pressure on Adolescents, 2023
Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 73, Issue 5, 961 – 964
