Youth and alcohol
Is it safe for youth to use alcohol?
No, alcohol is not safe for youth. In fact, alcohol is a known carcinogen (which means it causes cancer) and can be dangerous for people of any age to drink. Alcohol use can also affect brain development and functioning. The younger a person is when they first begin drinking, the more at-risk they are of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.1,2
Youth who binge drink are more likely to experience negative side effects from alcohol than those who don’t, such as1,2
- problems with memory
- mental health issues
- disruption of growth/sexual development, and
- difficulty in school and learning
Did you know?
- The brain continues to develop into one’s 20’s. It is best to delay alcohol use as long as possible due to its harm to brain development.1
- On average, students report having their first drink at the age of 14. Alcohol is the number one drug used by Ontario students in grades 7 to 123
- In recent years, the rate of female high school students who drink alcohol and binge drink has been rising to rates equal to or greater than that of male high school students.3
I am a teen, and I am looking for information about alcohol. Where can I go?
If you want to learn more, KidsHealth.org has some great information about alcohol and how it affects younger folks. In addition, an Australian organization called AlcoholThinkAgain goes into depth about alcohol and the developing brain.
If you are worried about your alcohol use or the use of someone you care about, reach out to a trusted adult or healthcare provider.
If you would like to speak to someone about alcohol or have concerns about your use or how it is affecting your health:
- Connect with a Kids Help Phone counsellor by live chat from 7 p.m. to midnight, or by text at 68-68-68 or phone 800.668.6868 (toll-free) 24/7.
If you are ever feeling overwhelmed or find yourself in a crisis you can:
- Connect with Health Sciences North Crisis Services at 1.877.841.1101 (toll-free) or visit ca (available 24/7).
- Call or text the National Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8, services are available 24/7.
- In emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.
How does alcohol affect the teenage brain?4
A teenager’s brain is still developing until they are in their mid-to-late 20’s. Using alcohol while the brain is still developing increases the risk for long-term emotional problems and difficulty with brain function. In particular, alcohol:
- Slows the brain, causing issues with impulse control, decision making, and concentration
- Causes difficulty with memory, emotional control, and learning
- Has a negative impact on balance and coordination
Alcohol use at a young age can also increase the risk for mental illness, including depression and anxiety. For those who already have a mental illness, alcohol can worsen symptoms over the long-term, even if it feels good in the moment.
In addition, the younger someone is when they start drinking, the more likely they are to develop alcohol dependency later in life.
- Paradis, C., Butt, P., Shield, K., Poole, N., Wells, S., Naimi, T., Sherk, A., & the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines Scientific Expert Panels. (2023). Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Final Report. Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2023-01/CCSA_Canadas_Guidance_on_Alcohol_and_Health_Final_Report_en.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 29). Underage drinking. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
- Boak, A., Elton-Marshall, T., & Hamilton, H.A. (2022). The well-being of Ontario students: Findings from the 2021 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/pdf—osduhs/2021-osduhs-report-pdf.pdf
- AlcoholThinkAgain. (2023, October 20). Impact of alcohol. https://alcoholthinkagain.com.au/alcohol-and-young-people/impact-of-alcohol
This item was last modified on September 19, 2024