Young people and alcohol consumption
Understanding the impact of alcohol and other drugs on developing minds and bodies
Alcohol and other drugs can affect young people in serious and lasting ways, especially during their formative years when their brains and bodies are still developing. This section provides parents and carers with reliable information about the risks, laws, and health consequences of alcohol and drug use, as well as how to support children and teenagers to make healthy, informed choices
For children and young people under the age of 18, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Research suggests that drinking alcohol early can lead to harmful drinking behaviours during adolescence and adulthood, increasing the risk of physical, mental and social health problems. This is why Australian health guidelines recommend that children and young people under 18 should not consume alcohol.
Alcohol use in the home
Even when supervised by adults, early exposure to alcohol at home is associated with a higher risk of binge drinking and alcohol-related harm later in life.
The Australian guidelines to reduce health-related risk from drinking alcohol for those over 18 suggest:
- Lifetime risks: any person consuming alcohol should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and
- Single occasion risk: any person consuming alcohol should drink no more than 4 standard drinks on any one-day.
Binge drinking- defined as consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period- is twice as common among 16–24-year-olds compared to other age groups.
Did you know?
- alcohol is a known carcinogen. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, mouth, throat, oesophagus, bowel, and stomach cancer
- the safest option for reducing this risk is to not drink alcohol.
The role of parents and carers
Parents and carers strongly influence how young people perceive and use alcohol. Role-modelling healthy drinking behaviours and having open, honest conversations about alcohol can help delay drinking and reduce future harm.
Standard drink calculator
Learn how many standard drinks are in common glasses.