Everything You Need to Know About Teen Alcohol Abuse

Teen alcohol abuse may be a sign of a substance use disorder or other serious mental health concerns. Recognizing signs of alcohol abuse can help your loved one recover and heal.

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It’s pretty common for young people to push boundaries and explore their limits. In fact, some people would argue that taking risks is a healthy and normal part of growing up. This can include things like going on your first date, experimenting with a different hairstyle, or trying your hand at a new hobby. But taking risks as a teen can also include less constructive behaviors, such as experimenting with alcohol and other drugs.

Although teen alcohol use has declined since the 1990s, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still views underage drinking as a serious public health concern. Recent data show that alcohol is the most common drug used by young people, followed by electronic vape products, marijuana, and cigarettes. Below, we review risk factors for teen alcohol abuse, how it impacts people’s mental and physical health, and resources for supporting your or a loved one’s healing journey. 

How to spot teen alcohol abuse

A national survey found that approximately 34% of youth ages 12-20 years reported trying alcohol at least once in their lifetime. And within that same age group, 8% of youth admitted to binge drinking in the past month. Adolescent binge drinking equates to three drinks for girls and three to five drinks for boys within 2 hours. 

While the occasional beer may not be an immediate cause for concern, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use are often signs of alcohol abuse. Some other leading signs of substance use among teens include: 

• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Decline in self-care
• Mood changes include increased irritability, anger, or depression
• Sudden problems at school, such as skipping class or lower grades
• Loss of interest in friends, school, or hobbies
• Changing friend groups to spend more time with those who drink 
• Engaging in suspicious or secretive behaviors
• Trouble concentrating or thinking 
• Hangovers 

Five risk factors for increased alcohol consumption among teens

There are several reasons why teens and young adults may start consuming more alcohol, increasing their risk for alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder (formerly known as alcoholism).

1. Peer pressure

Peer pressure and a desire to fit in are common reasons why youth decide to experiment with alcohol. If close friends or peers you admire are drinking alcohol, you may be more likely to drink alcohol yourself. 

2. Stress

Being a teenager can be stressful. Some people may cope with their problems, such as academic pressure or trouble at home, by consuming alcohol. 

3. Easy access to alcohol 

“Binge pattern alcohol use is most prevalent in teens, driven by the availability of alcohol in this age group,” says Rebecca Holland, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with Charlie Health. She adds, “many teens will engage in use based on availability, and this is often reliant on older peers or those with whom the teens live.”

4. Poor role models

One study found that teens whose parents drank alcohol five or more days in a month were more likely to drink alcohol than adolescents whose parents didn’t drink.

“Unfortunately, teens are often replicating modeled behavior,” says Holland. “Many kids are living in or are frequently exposed to environments where alcohol misuse is the norm. Other social factors, such as social media and movies and TV shows, can portray substance misuse as normative behavior as well.”

5. Adverse childhood experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect, that occur early in life and have long-term effects on people’s health and well-being. Growing up in a home where people struggle with substance use issues may increase a person’s risk of abusing alcohol at an early age. 

Consequences of teen alcohol abuse 

Consuming alcohol always comes with a risk, but this is especially true for teens and young adults. Teen alcohol abuse has a wide range of consequences, starting with an increased risk of alcohol use disorder. Data published by SAMHSA found that among people in their mid-20ss and older, those who had their first drink before age 15 were more than three times as likely to report having alcohol use disorder in the past year as those who didn’t drink until age 21 and older.

Youth who drink alcohol are also more likely to experience unexpected social, academic, health, and legal issues. “Many of these consequences [of teen alcohol abuse] are often inadvertent as teens are experimenting with substances that they have limited awareness of in terms of how their bodies and minds will be impacted,” says Holland.

Social and academic issues

• Teen alcohol abuse can have a direct effect on people’s performance at work, school, and extracurricular activities.
• Increased alcohol use can also strain relationships with family and friends who don’t approve of underage drinking. 
• Drinking alcohol before the age of 21 creates the risk of legal issues such as underage drinking charges.

Safety issues

• Alcohol use can lead to risky sexual behaviors, resulting in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual assault, and unwanted pregnancy.
• Underage drinking can cause poor decisions that impact safety, such as drinking and driving. Some counts suggest that more than one in ten high school students reported getting in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
• Alcohol use can also lead to accidents involving falls, burns, drowning, and overdose. 

Health issues  

• Teens who abuse alcohol may be more likely to develop mental health disorders like depression and anxiety during adolescence and later in life.
• Heavy drinking during adolescence is associated with harmful effects on brain development, brain functioning, and neuropsychological performance. It can also lead to liver damage.

How do I know if my alcohol use is a problem?

If alcohol use is starting to affect your relationships, academic performance, or day-to-day life, it may be time to talk to a trusted adult or mental health professional. Here are some questions to help you understand if your alcohol use is a serious concern.

• Do I typically drink more than I originally planned to?
• Have I neglected my family, schoolwork, or other responsibilities due to alcohol consumption?
• Have I experienced physical health issues like hangovers or accidents related to my alcohol use?
• Do I notice that my mental health, including mood and anxiety, is worse when I drink?
• Have other people expressed concerns about my drinking?
• Has my overall quality of life been negatively impacted by drinking alcohol?

Six tips to prevent or reduce alcohol abuse among teens 

Teen drinking has been linked to serious mental and behavioral health concerns, including alcohol dependence, depression, and increased risk of suicide. Here are some tips for helping your teen avoid alcohol abuse or end unhealthy behaviors with alcohol. 

1. Encourage open and honest conversation about alcohol 
2. Share your own experience with alcohol
3. Empower your teen to say “no” to peer pressure 
4. Familiarize yourself with your child’s friends and their parents
5. Help your child explore healthy alternatives to drinking
6. Remind your child that they can always call you if they find themselves in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation involving alcohol 

“Parents wanting to support their teens with alcohol use disorder can offer essential preventative treatment measures, such as modeling healthy behaviors when it comes to alcohol use,” adds Holland. “Limiting access to substances such as alcohol can be an essential measure to mitigating risk and a first-line barrier to access,” she says.

How to manage teen alcohol abuse

If you or someone in your life is struggling with alcohol use, consider reaching out to a healthcare provider such as a mental health professional or primary care physician. Together, you can discuss symptoms, concerns, and treatment options. 

Treating alcohol abuse and other substance use issues in teens starts with identifying the root cause of the problem. “Assessing the pattern of development for alcohol use disorder is essential to the core of all substance use disorder treatment,” explains Holland. “Relapse is undeniably and unavoidably a part of recovery, and approaching substance use disorder of all kinds in teens and every age group from a harm reduction perspective has shown far superior to abstinence-based treatment,” she continues. 

Depending on your needs, treatment may involve working with an alcohol addiction counselor or a higher level of care, such as an inpatient or outpatient program. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and group support are some of the most common types of therapy for substance use issues and co-occurring mental health conditions among teens.

Treat teen alcohol abuse with Charlie Health

If a teen in your life is struggling with alcohol abuse, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for young people and families dealing with serious mental health conditions, including substance use disorders and associated mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic treatment, managing mental health issues is possible. Complete the form below to begin healing today.