HELPFUL RESOURCES

TALKING WITH 

YOUR TEEN 

ABOUT ALCOHOL:

Keeping Your Kids Safe

Research suggests that one of the most 

influential factors when a teen is growing 

up is a strong, open relationship with a 

parent or caregiver.

CREATE AN EXIT PLAN

Does your teen have an “exit plan” if they’re 

offered or faced with a difficult decision about 

alcohol or other drugs? Peer pressure can be 

powerful among teens, and having a plan in 

place to avoid substance use can help your kids 

make good choices. Discuss what they can do in 

difficult situations, such as texting a code word 

to a family member. Be sure to practice the exit 

plan in a safe environment so that they feel more 

comfortable and confident with it.

talktheyhearyou.samhsa.gov

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For more information on how to talk with your 

teen about underage drinking and other drug 

use, visit talktheyhearyou.samhsa.gov 

and www.samhsa.gov. 

To download and order “Talk. They Hear You.” 

campaign materials online from the SAMHSA 

Store, visit www.store.samhsa.gov.

PEP23-03-01-002
BE PREPARED

The following signs may indicate your teen has 

a problem with alcohol or other drugs, but some 

also reflect normal growing pains. Experts believe 

that a drinking or drug use problem is more likely 

if you notice several of these signs at the same 

time, if they occur suddenly, or if some of them 

are extreme in nature.

• Mood changes: flare-ups of temper, irritability, 

or defensiveness

• School problems: poor attendance, low 

grades, or recent disciplinary action

• Rebellion against family rules

• Friend changes: switching friends and a 

reluctance to let you get to know new friends

• A “nothing matters” attitude: sloppy 

appearance, a lack of involvement in former 

interests, or general low energy

• Presence of alcohol or other drugs: finding 

it in their room or backpack, smelling it on 

their breath, or noticing new use of potential 

cover-ups like perfume/cologne, mouthwash, 

or mints/gum

• Physical or mental problems: memory lapses, 

poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of 

coordination, or slurred speech

TAKE ACTION

Talking with your teen early and often about the 

risks and dangers of drinking alcohol and using 

other drugs is the first step toward keeping them 

substance-free. But as they enter middle school 

and high school, the pressure to try alcohol 

and other drugs increases. Teens are more 

likely to avoid substance use when they have a 

strong, trusting relationship with their parents 

or caregivers. It’s important to continue these 

conversations as your teen’s experiences and 

needs change throughout adolescence and young 

adulthood.

Use these tips:

• Remind them that their brain is still 

developing, which is why alcohol and other 

drugs are especially harmful for anyone under 

the age of 21.

• Use everyday opportunities to talk with 

them—in the car, during dinner, or while 

watching TV.

• Let them know you’re always there for them.

• Encourage them to get involved in sports and 

other extracurricular activities.

• Help boost their confidence by teaching them 

different ways to say “no” to alcohol and other 

drugs and reminding them that real friends 

won’t pressure them to use substances.

• Reassure them that things will get easier, 

and reinforce that alcohol and other drugs 

aren’t a solution.

• Consider using a written or verbal agreement 

that outlines your expectations and family 

rules about alcohol and other drugs.

GET INFORMED

Is alcohol addictive? The short answer is “yes.” 

Alcohol, like other drugs, has a powerful effect on 

the brain, producing both positive and negative 

feelings. These feelings can motivate some 

people to drink alcohol repeatedly, despite risks 

to their health and wellbeing. When people with 

an alcohol use disorder (AUD) stop drinking, they 

experience withdrawal symptoms—or symptoms 

that are opposite to the pleasurable feelings that 

may be experienced when drinking alcohol. These 

symptoms can be physical (sleep disturbances, 

pain, feelings of illness) and emotional (sadness, 

irritability, anxiety, and emotional pain).

Young people are especially at risk for developing 

an AUD. Drinking alcohol during adolescence may 

affect brain development, making it more likely 

that users will be diagnosed with an AUD later in 

life. Teens who drink usually start with beer, wine, 

or flavored malt alcohol, a sweet-tasting blend of 

alcohol and carbonated fruit juice. Although many 

teenagers mistakenly believe that these drinks are 

“safer” than hard liquor, it’s the amount of alcohol 

you drink, not what you drink, that matters.

The impact of alcohol on teens:

• Frequent binge drinkers are more likely to 

engage in risky behaviors, including using 

other drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

• Drinking alcohol lowers inhibitions and 

increases the likelihood that kids will engage 

in risky behaviors or do something that they’ll 

regret when they’re sober, including driving 

after drinking or riding with someone who has 

been drinking.

• Young people who drink alcohol are more 

likely to have mental health issues such as 

depression and anxiety disorders.