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Preventing alcohol use in young people

We are learning more about how alcohol affects young people. We now know no amount of alcohol is safe for people under age 18.

Many young people under age 18 do not drink. But it can be difficult to stop young people experimenting with alcohol.

To help delay alcohol use for as long as possible:

  • be a role model for your child
  • create rules together
  • explain the risks of alcohol use
  • stay involved in your child's life
  • help your child stay safe when they socialise

Be a role model for your child

You are a strong role model for your child, even as they get older.

Find ways to show your child how you want them to behave and think about alcohol.

For example:

  • do healthy and fun activities together that do not involve alcohol
  • consider the way you talk about alcohol - for example, avoid saying things like "I'm so stressed, I need a drink"
  • stay under the weekly low-risk alcohol guidelines if you choose to drink
  • avoid using alcohol to cope with problems or as a reward

If you want to find out the impact of what you drink, you can use our self-assessment tool.

Avoid giving alcohol to your child

Tell your child you will not provide alcohol at home - even small tastes or zero alcohol options.

This is because young people who get alcohol from their parents are more likely to start drinking earlier or binge drink.

Most parents in Ireland do not give alcohol to young people under age 18.

Create rules together

Rules show your child that you care and want to protect them. Tell your child you do not want them to drink any alcohol before they are age 18.

Create other clear and fair rules together about alcohol and going out:

Do

  • start early - you can tell a child at age 11 or 12 how rules may change when they get to secondary school

  • make sure that all parents or guardians follow the rules

  • explain why you need rules

  • listen to your child's opinions

  • give choices where you can

  • check that your child understands the rules

  • agree what happens if your child breaks the rules - for example, if they buy alcohol, they will not get money for a time

  • tell your child that you will help them in a crisis, even if they break a rule

  • tell other adults about the rules for your child - it’s easier to say no when all adults say no

  • tell your child's friends about the rules

  • remember to thank or praise your child when they follow the rules

Explain the risks of alcohol use for young people

The brain continues to develop until around age 25. This means that young people are more sensitive to damage from alcohol. They also cannot assess risks the same way as adults.

No type or amount of alcohol is safe, including:

  • small amounts on special occasions
  • low alcohol drinks
  • zero alcohol products such as non-alcoholic beer

This is because the earlier young people have any alcohol, the more likely they are to:

  • have problems with alcohol as an adult
  • drink more often or too much
  • take risks or behave in unsafe ways - for example, fighting or having unsafe sex
  • be a victim of a crime
  • have mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression
  • have problems with attention and memory
  • have other health problems - learn more about alcohol and health

What to explain to your child depends on their age.

Talking to your child about alcohol

Stay involved in your child's life

Find ways to stay connected and involved in your child's life. If you keep a close bond, they are more likely to come to you for help and listen to your advice.

Do

  • do fun things together - let them pick the activity

  • ask them open questions about their life and listen without judgement

  • get to know their friends

  • find out who they are with when they go out

  • check how much money they have and how they spend it

  • help them find healthy ways to deal with stress or difficult situations

Staying safe when they go out

There are things you and your child can do to help them stay safe when they go out.

Things you can do

Do

  • check that your child is where they say they are - bring them to and from places if you need to

  • agree a safe way for them to get home

  • tell them things they can say or do if they feel under pressure to drink alcohol

  • help them to organise activities that do not involve alcohol

  • keep alcohol and medicines away from children - lock them in a cupboard if you can

Things your child can do

Tell your child what they can do to stay safe when they are out.

Do

  • charge their phone before they go out and keep it on

  • call an adult if they or someone else is in trouble

Don't

  • do not leave a party or club alone - or let a friend leave alone

  • do not share or steal drinks

  • do not take drinks from strangers

Page last reviewed: 13 August 2024
Next review due: 13 August 2027