Fact Sheet for Parents: What You Need to Know About Alcohol Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, and Alyssa Ferrin
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol, which is called ethanol by scientists, is a widely used substance that is found in drinks like beer, wine, and liquor (such as vodka or whiskey) that can change the way people think, feel, and act (National Institute of Drug Abuse, n.d.; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA], n.d.; Paton, 2005; World Health Organization, 2024). Drinking alcohol impacts how our brain is working and can make us feel relaxed, drowsy, or aggressive (Paton, 2005). In 2023, alcohol was the most commonly used substance among youth in Grades 9–12 in Utah (Public Health Indicator Based Information System [IBIS], 2024a). This is noteworthy, as any amount of alcohol use by minors is considered excessive alcohol use and can worsen health, decision-making, and driving ability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.-b).
Why Is Alcohol Dangerous for Kids and Teens? •
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Brain Development
The brain continues to develop until about age 25 (National Institute on Mental Health, 2023). Drinking alcohol can harm this growth, leading to problems with memory, learning, decision-making, and behavior by damaging parts of the brain, including the frontal lobe (front of the brain), hippocampus (memory area), amygdala (emotion center), and corpus callosum (the bridge between brain halves) (NIAAA, 2024). Even a little alcohol can slow down brain messages, making it harder to move well or act like yourself (NIAAA, n.d.).
Risk of Alcohol Dependence
Kids who drink alcohol, especially at young ages, are more likely to have alcohol problems or addiction later in life (NIAAA, 20205b). If someone drinks often, their body may need more alcohol to feel the same way (Koob & Le Moal, 2008). They may feel they cannot stop drinking, even if they try. Trying to stop can cause shaky hands, feeling sick, or being very worried—all of which are called withdrawal symptoms (Becker, 2008). Some people keep drinking to avoid these bad feelings (Becker, 2008). Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a sickness when a person cannot control their drinking, even though it causes serious problems at home, school, or with their health (NIAAA, 2025a). Alcohol can change the brain so much that it is hard to quit and easy to start again (NIAAA, 2025a). 1