Individuals under the age of 21 are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of alcohol and experience disproportionate harm from alcohol use. Although alcohol impacts adults as well, the negative impacts of alcohol on a developing brain are significant and long lasting. Delaying the initiation of drinking alcohol until the age of 21 greatly minimizes the negative and long-term impact of alcohol on the brain.

This podcast has information to equip you, as a parent or someone in a parenting role, to have conversations about alcohol and the importance of delaying alcohol until 21. It explores reasons to be concerned about alcohol use, consequences of alcohol use, and specific strategies you can implement to encourage your child to delay alcohol use. This is brought to you as part of ParentingMontana.org from The Montana Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University.

The teen brain goes through a significant maturation process until the mid twenties. During this vulnerable time for the developing brain, alcohol use can significantly impact the structure and function of the developing brain, and some of the impacts can be long lasting. By delaying the initiation of alcohol use, youth can greatly reduce these negative impacts. Listen now to learn how you as a parent or someone in a parenting role are key to helping your child prevent harm associated with alcohol.