THE RESEARCH

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Parental Supervision and Alcohol Use in Adolescence: Developmentally Specific Interactions 

Research consistently shows that parents cannot effectively teach teens to "safely" consume alcohol. In fact, allowing teens to drink alcohol, even in a supervised environment, increases the risk of harmful drinking behaviors later in life. A study published in The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that teens allowed to drink alcohol under supervision were more likely to engage in binge drinking and risky alcohol-related behaviors outside the home. This study highlighted that parental supervision did not mitigate the risks but normalized alcohol use, leading to increased consumption elsewhere.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

Age at drinking onset and alcohol dependence: age at onset, duration, and severity

Starting to drink before age 14 significantly increases the risk of developing alcohol dependence later in life. Encourage your teens to wait as long as possible to begin drinking, as this can help reduce their chances of experiencing alcohol-related problems. Your influence can make a difference in their choices!

Journal of Substance Abuse

Influence of Family Factors and Supervised Alcohol Use on Adolescent Alcohol Use and Harms: Similarities Between Youth in Different Alcohol Policy Contexts

This study found that teens who are allowed to drink alcohol under adult supervision at home are more likely to engage in harmful drinking behaviors, including drinking outside the home and binge drinking, which can increase the risk of drunk driving.

The research, led by Barbara J. McMorris from the University of Minnesota, compared teens in the U.S. and Australia. It showed that, despite the intention of parents to teach responsible drinking, early exposure to alcohol in a home environment could lead to more drinking-related problems later on, including risky behaviors like drunk driving.

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National Institute on Drug Abuse

The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness

Today’s teens are at greater risk for substance use issues due to rising mental health challenges. Anxiety, depression, and stress are increasingly common among adolescents, and these mental health issues are strongly linked to substance use as a way of coping. Studies indicate that teens facing mental health struggles are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol, and may be at greater risk for addiction later on. Addressing both mental health and substance use prevention together is key for supporting teens today.

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Family factors in adolescent alcohol and drug abuse

The research shows that family structure and how parents socialize their kids play a big role in whether teens develop issues with alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviors. Specifically, when parents offer support, set clear rules, and have clear attitudes about drinking, teens are less likely to engage in these behaviors. On the other hand, when there’s a conflict between how parents and their teens’ peers view alcohol, it can lead to more problems. So, consistent guidance at home really makes a difference.

• Journal: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Monitoring The Future Survey

This large-scale, long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has consistently shown that parental involvement, particularly when parents set clear rules and expectations, significantly reduces the likelihood of underage drinking. Teens who report having parents who communicate openly and monitor their activities are less likely to engage in alcohol use.. By setting boundaries and delaying alcohol use, you're helping your child develop healthy decision-making skills and reducing their risk of developing alcohol-related problems later in life. You can still make a big difference, even when it seems like others aren't following the same path.

SAMHSA

SAMHSA 2022 National Survery on Perceived Parental Disapproval

SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports that when teens perceive strong parental disapproval of alcohol use, they are much less likely to drink. The 2019 survey showed that adolescents who believed their parents would be very upset if they used alcohol were less likely to engage in drinking behavior, compared to those who didn’t think their parents cared as much. Parents do make a difference.