5

CONVERSATION 

GOALS:

Talking with Teens 

About Alcohol and 

Other Drugs

5 CONVERSATION 

GOALS

1. Show you disapprove of underage 

drinking and other drug misuse.

2. Show you care about your teen’s health, 

wellness, and success.

3. Show you’re a good source of information 

about alcohol and other drugs.

4. Show you’re paying attention and you will 

discourage risky behaviors.

5. Build your teen’s skills and strategies for 

avoiding drinking and drug use.

“

It’s never too late 

to start talking with 

your teen about the 

risks of underage 

drinking and other 

substance use.”

“

Over 80 percent of 

young people ages 

10–18 say their 

parents are the 

leading influence on 

their decision whether 

to drink or not.”

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For more information on talking with your 

teen about alcohol and other drugs, visit 

www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov and 

www.samhsa.gov.

#TalkTheyHearYou

PEP20-03-01-003
Talking with Teens About 

Alcohol and Other Drugs:

5 Conversation Goals

It’s never too late to start talking with 

your teen about the risks of underage 

drinking and other substance use. 

As teens get older, they make more 

decisions on their own, and also face 

more temptation and peer pressure. 

Though it may not seem like it, 

teens really do hear your concerns. 

It’s important you show that you care 

and continue having conversations with 

them about the dangers of alcohol and 

other drugs, and why they shouldn’t 

use them.

1

Show you disapprove 

of underage drinking 

and other drug misuse.

Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 

say their parents are the leading influence 

on their decision whether to drink or not. 

Don’t assume they know how you feel about 

drinking and substance use. Send a clear 

and strong message that you disapprove 

of underage drinking and use or misuse of 

other drugs.

2

Show you care about 

your teen’s health, 

wellness, and success.

Young people are more likely to listen when 

they know you’re on their side. Reinforce 

why you don’t want your child to drink or use 

other drugs—because you want them to be 

happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot 

better if you’re open and show your concern 

for their well-being.

3

Show you’re a good 

source of information 

about alcohol and 

other drugs.

You want your teen to make informed 

decisions about alcohol and other drugs with 

reliable information about its dangers. You 

don’t want him or her to learn about alcohol 

and other drugs from unreliable sources. 

Establish yourself as a trustworthy source 

of information.

4

Show you’re paying 

attention and you will 

discourage risky 

behaviors.

Young people are more likely to drink or use 

other drugs if they think no one will notice. 

Show that you’re aware of what your teen is 

up to, but do this in a subtle way and try not 

to pry. Ask about friends and plans because 

you care, not because you’re judging–you are 

more likely to have an open conversation.

5

Build your teen’s 

skills and strategies 

for avoiding drinking 

and drug use.

Even if you don’t think your child wants to 

drink or try other drugs, peer pressure is a 

powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol 

and drug use can help children make better 

choices. Talk with your children about what 

they would do if faced with a difficult decision 

about alcohol and drugs. Practice saying “no 

thanks” with them in a safe environment and 

keep it low-key. Don’t worry, you don’t have 

to get everything across in one talk. Plan to 

check in frequently with quick chats and keep 

the lines of communication open.

www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov

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