THE TEENAGE BRAIN AND ALCOHOL – WHY THEY DON’T MIX

Professor Ian Hickie, Executive Director
The Brain and Mind Research Institute
University of Sydney

Once upon a time we thought that the teenage brain was the same as an adult brain, that is had already

reached full development. But now the science is telling us something very different...

From the age of around 12 or 13 through to the early twenties the brain is in a state of intense development, moulding and hardwiring in readiness for the challenges of adulthood. Through a process called ‘frontalisation’ the brain is growing and forming all the critical parts it needs for learning, memory, planning, emotional stability and thinking.

The new science tells us that alcohol, as a toxin, disrupts brain development during this critical phase of growth. Teenagers who drink alcohol risk their brains not reaching full capacity, which means they might never reach their full potential as an adult.

THE DELAY MESSAGE – WHY LATER IS BETTER FOR YOUR TEEN

The best advice you can give your pre-teen or teen is to delay drinking alcohol at least until 18 years old and older, if possible. Even then, scientists recommend minimising alcohol intake until brain development peaks around the mid-twenties.

Here are the top five reasons why kids and alcohol don’t mix:

1. From puberty the brain is developing, reaching its full capacity in the early to mid-twenties. Alcohol is a toxin and disrupts this crucial window of development.

2. If the brain is not allowed to fully develop, due to alcohol use, then this can lead to many problems such as learning difficulties, cognitive deficits, memory impairment and emotional problems like depression and anxiety.

3. Drinking alcohol too young, with its adverse effects on the developing brain, may mean your teen fails to reach his or her full potential, whether academically, creatively or on the sporting field.

4. Teenage drinking is not just bad for the brain, it’s dangerous too. Alcohol inhibits a teenager’s ability to consider the consequences of their actions, leading them to take stupid risks like getting in fights, drink driving, promiscuous behaviour or serious accidents.

5. The more a teenager drinks, the less likely they are to get involved in a range of other activities which are important for building confidence and maturity. Drinking alcohol can become a negative distraction not only from study, but sport, creative pursuits, family life and socialising with friends.

If you have particular concerns regarding your own drinking, its effects on you or your family, consult your General Practitioner or another health professional.

KIDS AND ALCOHOL DON’T MIX – GET THE FACTS

This advice is brought to you by DrinkWise Australia, an evidence-based organisation focused on promoting change towards a more responsible drinking culture in Australia. The information has been gathered from DrinkWise’s own current research, research from authoritative studies and knowledge gain in consultation with experts in the fields of neuroscience and child and adolescent psychology.