Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, often seen as a staple at celebrations, social events, and even casual gatherings. Its widespread acceptance and presence in media can make it easy to overlook the risks, especially for teens and parents trying to navigate conversations around it.

The Facts About Alcohol

  • Alcohol is a depressant.

    Alcohol slows brain function, impairing decision-making, coordination, and reaction time.

  • The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21.

     Yet 5 million teens aged 12-20 report drinking alcohol each year. In fact, by age 15, nearly 30% of teens in the U.S. have tried alcohol. By age 18, that number jumps to nearly 60%.

  • Teens overestimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption.

    Adolescents believed 60.3% of their peers posted about alcohol on social media, while only 30.6% of their friends did so. This misperception can lead to increased personal alcohol use, as teens may feel pressure to conform to inflated perceived norms.

  • There are social pressures on teens to drink.

    Many teens start drinking due to peer pressure, stress, or a desire to seem more mature, but the consequences often outweigh the momentary relief or acceptance.

  • Underage drinking increases addiction risk.

    Teens who drink are also more likely to develop a dependency on alcohol or other substances later in life. This happens as the adolescent brain becomes wired to seek out similar experiences of reward and pleasure.

The Risks of Underage Drinking

Alcohol is far from harmless—especially for developing adolescents. Even small amounts can pose serious risks, but the greatest harms often come from binge drinking or regular heavy drinking. Underage drinking can lead to:

  • Increased risk of accidents, injuries, or alcohol poisoning.
  • Long-term brain development issues, particularly in areas responsible for memory, decision-making, and impulse control.
  • Higher likelihood of developing substance use disorders later in life.

Why It Matters

Understanding the realities of alcohol consumption is the first step toward making your own informed decisions, addressing social pressures, debunking myths, and preventing the harmful effects of underage drinking.

  • Brain Impact

    The adolescent brain is still a work in progress. Introducing alcohol to the developing brain during these critical development years can disrupt this development, leading to potential long-term consequences.

    Studies reveal that heavy drinking during adolescence can result in structural changes to the brain. This may lead to memory impairment, decision-making challenges, and cognitive and emotional difficulties.

    • Alcohol also lowers inhibitions, which can lead to risky behaviors such as:

      • Engaging in unsafe activities like unprotected sex, reckless driving, or physical altercations.

      • Saying or doing things one might regret later, damaging relationships and self-confidence.

      • Experimenting with other substances, increasing the likelihood of substance use disorders.

  • Physical Health Impact

    Alcohol takes a serious toll on the developing teen body which can lead to long-term damage.

    • The liver works overtime to process alcohol, leading to long-term damage if drinking becomes frequent.
    • After drinking, teens may feel fatigued and unfocused, even after a full night of rest.
    • Alcohol dehydrates the body, leading to reduced energy levels.
    • Drinking alcohol makes it harder for the body to fight off infections.
    • Drinking a lot of alcohol in a short period of time, bingeing, can lead to alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
    • Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Even light and moderate drinking can raise the risk.

  • Mental Health Impact

    Adolescence is already a time of emotional highs and lows. Introducing alcohol into the mix can significantly amplify mental health challenges.

    • Alcohol can worsen feelings of sadness or stress. This may create a vicious cycle where teens may drink to cope but feel worse afterward.

    • Alcohol disrupts brain chemicals that regulate mood. This leads to increased irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts.

    • Alcohol can make symptoms of depression or anxiety more severe and harder to manage.

  • Social Impact

    Alcohol doesn't just affect health—it can also disrupt a teen's relationships, academics, and overall social life.

    • Alcohol impairs focus, memory and motivation. This makes it harder to complete assignments, study for exams, and participate in class. Which can lead to falling behind, skipping classes or even dropping out.

    • Drinking can cause conflicts, misunderstandings or risky behaviors that damage trust among friends.

  • Financial Impact

    The financial impacts of alcohol can go beyond the immediate cost of purchasing drinks. It can result in fines or legal fees related to risky decisions made while under the influence, such as property damage or accidents. These consequences can follow teens into adulthood, affecting their ability to build a stable financial foundation.

    • Alcohol can be expensive, and frequent use quickly adds up. The cost of alcohol can strain finances or lead to poor spending choices.

    • Teens may resort to risky behaviors like stealing, gambling, or borrowing money they can't repay to afford alcohol.

    • Money spent on alcohol could be used for things that build toward a teen's future like saving for college, hobbies, or extracurricular activities. Alcohol use draws resources away from these positive investments.

  • Environmental Impact

    From production to disposal, alcohol leaves a significant environmental footprint.

    • Brewing, distilling, and bottling alcohol require large amounts of natural resources. For example, producing a single bottle of beer can use up to 20 gallons of water.

    • Alcohol packaging—such as bottles, cans, and caps—creates significant waste. Without proper recycling, these materials contribute to overflowing landfills and pollution.

    • The fuel used to ship products globally and the refrigeration required to store beverages produce carbon emissions, adding to climate change.

    • Alcohol requires crops such as barley, hops, and grapes. Growing these crops often involves pesticides, fertilizers, and monoculture farming, which can harm soil health and local ecosystems.

  • Extracurriculars & Athletics Impact

    Alcohol's physical effects can directly interfere with a teen's ability to participate in sports, theater, dance or other extracurricular activities. This can ultimately impact their involvement and success.

    • Alcohol weakens muscle recovery, coordination and endurance. This makes it harder for athletes to train, compete or recover from injuries.

    • Alcohol disrupts focus and physical stamina. These are critical for excelling in demanding practices, rehearsals, or performances.

    • School policy violations, fatigue, illness or injury caused by alcohol can result in missed practices, games, or auditions.

Alcohol can have profound effects on adolescents' physical, mental, and social well-being. As a caregiver, staying informed, maintaining open communication, and fostering a supportive environment can help your teen make healthier choices. Together, you can navigate the challenges and pressures of adolescence with confidence. Visit the Confident Caregiver Page or tools and resources to help talk with your teen.

This project is possible, fully or in part, as a result of grant funding recommended by the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council (OERAC) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official policies the Minnesota Department of Human services; nor mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the state of Minnesota.