Preventing Underage Drinking

Preventing underage drinking is a complex challenge. Any successful approach must

consider many factors, including:

• Genetics

• Personality

• Rate of maturation and development

• Level of risk

• Social factors

• Environmental factors

Several key approaches have been found to be successful. They are:

• Individual-level interventions. This approach seeks to change the way youth think about alcohol so they are better able to resist pressures to drink.

• School-based interventions. These are programs that provide students with the knowledge, skills, motivation, and opportunities they need to remain alcohol-free.

• Family-based interventions. These are efforts to empower parents to set and enforce clear rules against drinking, as well as improve communication between children and parents about alcohol.

• Community-based interventions. Community-based interventions are often coordinated by local coalitions working to mitigate risk factors for alcohol misuse.

• Policy-level interventions. This approach makes alcohol harder to get—for example, by raising the price of alcohol and keeping the U.S. Minimum Legal Drinking Age at 21. Enacting zero-tolerance laws that outlaw driving after any amount of drinking for people younger than 21 can also help prevent problems.

Learning healthy ways to cope with stress—that don’t involve alcohol—can reduce the risk of underage drinking and its consequences.

Here are some ways to build healthy coping strategies:⁶

• Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services).

• Connect with community- or faith-based organizations.

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media.

• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

• Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate—and build this into your everyday routine.

• Make time to unwind. Try to do some activities you enjoy.

• Take care of your body. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, well-balanced meals, and exercise regularly

Preventing Underage Drinking

Warning Signs of Underage Drinking

Adolescence is a time of change and growth, including behavior changes. These changes usually are a normal part of growing up but sometimes can point to an alcohol problem. Parents play a key role in shaping their kids’ attitudes toward alcohol and alcohol behaviors (See the Parenting to Prevent Alcohol Use fact sheet). Parents, families, and teachers should pay close attention to the following warning signs that may indicate underage drinking:^7,8

• Changes in mood, including anger and irritability

• Academic or behavioral problems in school

• Rebelliousness

• Changing groups of friends

• Low energy level

• Less interest in activities or care in appearance

• Finding alcohol among an adolescent's belongings

• Smelling alcohol on an adolescent's breath

• Problems concentrating or remembering

• Slurred speech

• Coordination problems

SOURCE: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking