Teen Drinking Myths Too Many Parents Believe

Teen Drinking Myths That Could Put Your Child at Risk 

Every North Carolina parent wants to protect their teens from the risks of underage drinking. The question is whether we have accurate information to guide our protective instincts.  

Many assumptions, or myths, about underage drinking don’t align with what research tells us about teenage brain development, alcohol’s effects, or even North Carolina law. When we base important decisions on incomplete information, we may inadvertently create the very risks we’re trying to prevent. 

Get the facts about six common myths about underage drinking in North Carolina to start the conversation with your teens.  

Myth #1: Teens Can Handle Alcohol Because They’re Physically Grown. 

They’re tall, they drive, and they can vote. They must be mature enough to drink alcohol, right? Teenagers are desperate to prove that they’re all grown up. But as parents, you know that’s not the case.   

What Does Alcohol Do to the Teenage Brain? 

Even though teens look like adults on the outside, their brains tell a different story.   

Teens may not immediately recognize the effects of binge drinking, but  their brains are more vulnerable to alcohol. This makes it easier for them to consume more alcohol than they realize.  

Here are the main brain functions affected: 

• Memory: Drinking alcohol makes it harder for teens to store new information. Teens may “black out” or forget what happened, and heavy use can cause lasting memory problems. 
• Coordination: Alcohol slows reaction time and balance for up to 72 hours after getting drunk. 
• Judgment: The part of the brain that helps with decision-making isn’t fully developed until the mid-20s. Alcohol makes it even harder for teens to think ahead or resist peer pressure. 
• Vital Functions: Heavy drinking can slow breathing and heart rate. Teens are especially at risk since they often drink more in a shorter amount of time.

Myth #2: Beer and Wine Are Safer Than Hard Liquor. 

From having a couple of beers during a football game to a glass of wine with friends, North Carolina adults tend to underestimate the potency of these familiar alcoholic beverages.  

Popular drinking culture reinforces the fact that beer and wine are lower in pure alcohol compared to hard liquor, ignoring the fact that drinking several beers or glasses of wine will make a person just as drunk as taking several shots. 

Is Beer or Wine Safer for Teens Than Liquor?   

Federal and North Carolina law prohibits alcohol consumption for individuals under the age of 21. Any beverage with alcohol is alcohol. This includes hard seltzers, spiked lemonades, and wine coolers.  

Often, teens aren’t keeping track of how many alcoholic beverages they’ve consumed. Many teens believe that as long as they drink plenty of water or coffee, they’ll either stay sober or reduce drunkenness. However, the body only processes about one alcoholic beverage per hour. 

Whether your teens are drinking one beer or one shot of hard liquor, they are equally at risk of suffering the effects of alcohol and facing legal consequences.   

Myth #3: Drinking Under Supervision Teaches Responsibility. 

Many North Carolina parents believe that if teens drink alcohol at home, they’re safer and supervised. Whether parents allow “just one drink” on special occasions or keep alcohol accessible, North Carolina parents hope teens will learn responsible drinking behaviors.  

Can Teens Drink Under Parental Supervision in North Carolina? 

In 2023, nearly 50% of North Carolina teens had access to alcohol in their home, with or without their parents’ knowledge. Allowing “just one drink” tells teenagers that drinking alcohol is okay. It’s easy for teens to conclude that having more than one drink must be okay too.  

Supervision doesn’t prevent harm but actually increases risk. Teens who begin drinking alcohol in high school are four times more likely to develop an alcohol misuse disorder in adulthood. In North Carolina, the law prohibits parents from providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, including their own children and even in their own home.  

Myth #4: Alcohol Helps Teens Cope with Stress or Anxiety. 

When life feels overwhelming, teens want to numb tough feelings triggered by academic stress or social challenges. Nearly 1 in 10 students say they have turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.    

Does Alcohol Help Teens Cope with Stress or Anxiety? 

Underage alcohol use makes coping with normal challenges like peer pressure, loneliness, or school stress even harder for teens. Underage drinking is linked to anxiety sensitivity, elevated levels of depression, and worsening stress responses. The Child Mind Institute reports that underage drinking increases the very symptoms teens are trying to escape.  

The best protection is to talk openly with your teens about what they’re feeling and give them healthier tools for stress relief.  

Myth #5: All the Cool Kids Drink. 

Most North Carolina parents assume their kids will drink. They remember underage drinking as a key element of their own high school or college experiences.  

Do Teens Need to Drink Alcohol to Fit In?  

As of 2023, 1 in 5 North Carolina high school students drink alcohol. Teens are more likely to interact with like-minded peers in school sports, drama clubs, or study groups than peers who drink alcohol. 

As parents, establishing boundaries and family values with your teens can encourage them to stay true to themselves. Talk to your teens about how real friends won’t pressure them to drink alcohol. 

Myth #6: Gen Z is More Responsible About Teen Drinking. 

Researcher Jonathan Haidt shares findings that indicate a significant decline in risky behaviors including underage drinking. Parents believe that Gen Z’s shift to socializing online rather than in-person is a worthy trade-off for less underage drinking.  

Does Drinking Less Mean Gen Z Is More Responsible? 

However, lower drinking rates don’t automatically mean today’s teens are making wiser choices. NIAAA expert George F. Koob says, “Alcohol tends to be a social drug, even for young people.” Social media and isolation may keep teens away from parties, but it also leaves many teens inexperienced when they encounter peer pressure.  

The best way to raise responsible teens is through open, ongoing conversations at home. When parents talk honestly about stress, loneliness, and peer pressure, they equip teens to build true responsibility through practice and guidance. 

Get the Facts. Stop Underage Drinking. 

Myths put teens at risk. When you have all the facts, your family can make informed decisions. Start the conversation today.