alcohol
AS A PARENT, you are your child's first and best protection against alcohol and drug use.
Send a "no-use" message to your teens. Make expectations clear regarding alcohol and other drugs.
Parents, you are the #1 reason children choose not to drink.
signs of alcohol use
Slurred Speech
Impaired judgment and motor skills
Poor coordination
Confusion
Tremors
Drowsiness
Agitation
Combative behavior
Nausea and vomiting
Depression
Weight gain
Possession of a fake ID card
The smell of alcohol on the breath
staying up to date on alcohol trends is important
CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING GUIDE ON THESE PRODUCTS AND SHARE WHAT YOU LEARNED WITH YOUR TEEN!
many are surprised to learn what counts as a standard drink
THE AMOUNT OF LIQUID IN YOUR GLASS, CAN OR BOTTLE IS NOT NECESSARILY HOW MUCH ALCOHOL THAT IS IN YOUR DRINK.
A STANDARD DRINK IS
- 12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol)
- 8 ounces of malt liquor – beer with high alcohol content (about 7% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of table wine (about 12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces (a “shot”) of liquor, like gin, rum, vodka, tequila, or whiskey (about 40% alcohol)
- No level of drinking is safe or legal for anyone under age 21, but unfortunately, many teens drink—and they often drink multiple drinks, which is very dangerous.
BINGE DRINKING is defined as drinking 4 or 5 (or more) drinks in a couple of hours.
- 1 in 7 teens binge drinks. Only 1 in 100 parents believe their child binge drinks. -SAMHSA
- 90% of alcohol that teens drink is via binge drinking.
- Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are 5x more likely to have a chemical dependency later in life.- NIAAA
- Among 12th grade students, 32% report riding in a car driven by someone who was "high" or had been using drugs or alcohol. 2016 D226 IYS
parent resources
ask, listen, learn
Did you know that parents are the #1 influence on their kids' decision to drink-or not drink-alcohol? Conversations are key! Find facts, conversations starters, and more tips to keep the lines of communication open.
partnership for drug-free kids
Resources for
• how to spot the signs of teen or young adult substance use
• address underage drinking
social host
FACT: when kids drink alcohol, 65% of the time it is consumed at home or a friend’s house.
FACT: when kids drink, parents pay
Be a Positive Adult Role Model
talk the hear you app
SAMHSA's underage drinking prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol. The "Talk. They Hear You" App featuring an interactive simulation that helps you learn the dos and don'ts of talking to kids about underage drinking.