Is it dangerous for under 18s to drink?

It can be. The immediate ill effects may be no more than a hangover, but young people, especially those who aren’t used to the effects of alcohol, can easily drink far too much. Their bodies are generally smaller with low tolerance to alcohol, meaning they get drunk very quickly.

There are serious concerns:

• Each year almost 5,000 young people in England are admitted to hospital because of alcohol.
• Alcohol plays a big part in antisocial behaviour, crime and violence as well as unprotected sex and teenage pregnancy.
• Alcohol can disrupt adolescent brain development, causing lasting problems with memory, attention span and reaction times.
• Regular drinking can cause brain damage, cancer of the mouth, throat and gullet, cirrhosis of the liver, heart disorders and impotence in later life.

Talk to your children about the risks of alcohol. Because alcohol is legal and socially acceptable, young people aren’t always aware of how dangerous it can be.

Most parents hear ‘But all my friends do it’ at one time or another! With their lack of experience and bravado, teenagers are more likely to take risks, so it’s important to discuss the dangers with them.

If you  think your teenager is drinking too much it’s important to understand why.

There may be underlying issues you need to address. Alcohol use has been linked to bullying and depression. Or maybe your child has fallen in with the dreaded ‘wrong crowd’. We have an ‘Alcohol and emotional health’ factsheet with more information.

Whatever the reasons, it’s better to get these issues out in the open. Talk about why you’re concerned and see if there’s anything you can do.

They aren’t necessarily going to turn into an alcoholic overnight, but if they’re drinking too much, they will be putting their health at risk.

If you are worried your child’s drinking is getting out of control, seek professional help. Talk to your doctor, contact Drinkline on 0800 917 8282, or try one of the organisations in our top tips section.

Page last updated by

Root User, 19 Apr 2010.

Page checked on

04 Nov 2009.