Alcohol and the adolescent brain

The key question

Adolescence is a period of ongoing brain development. NIAAA describes risks from drinking that include impaired judgment, injuries, and potential effects on development. Adult drinking thresholds are not recommendations for teenagers. A teen who seems less sleepy after alcohol is not necessarily less impaired, and outward behavior cannot establish safety. Discussions should address school, relationships, mental health, and access to support rather than treating alcohol solely as a test of rule-breaking. [1]

The beverage name is not the exposure

Beer, wine, and spirits all deliver ethanol. Effects depend on the amount and pattern of drinking as well as individual circumstances. A serving poured at home or in a restaurant may not match a standard drink. Acute impairment and longer-term health effects are different questions; feeling less intoxicated does not show that an exposure is harmless. Public information cannot calculate a safe amount for an individual, especially during pregnancy or with interacting medicines. [2]

Putting it into practice

Encourage a trusted adult or health professional to help with drinking, pressure, or safety concerns. [1]

Risk varies by exposure and individual circumstances; population findings cannot predict one person’s outcome. [2]