Drinkwise
  • DRINKING & YOU
    • Useful topics
      • Facts about drinking
      • Alcohol & your health
      • Support services
      Featured articles
      Is there such a thing as safe drink driving?
      Featured articles
      Is your drinking out of control?
      Featured articles
      Standard drinks calculator
  • PARENTS
    • Useful topics
      • Facts for parents
      • Tips for parents
      • Pregnancy
      • Support for parents
      Featured articles
      Binge drinking and your teen
      Featured articles
      Surviving Schoolies: how to keep your teen safe
      Featured articles
      Let them try it or deny it? Alcohol and your teen
  • UNDER 18s
    • Useful topics
      • Know the facts
      • Health effects of alcohol
      • Youth support services
      • Underage drinking
      • Tips for safe drinking
      Featured articles
      Alcohol & your health
      Featured articles
      Walking on the edge – the risks of binge drinking.
      Featured articles
      Behind the wheel: the dangers of drink driving
  • OUR WORK
    • Useful topics
      • Campaigns
      • About
      • Labels
      • Media
      • Research
      • Resources
      Featured articles
      Australian Drinking Habits: 2007 vs 2017
      Featured articles
      Parental influence campaign
      Featured articles
      DrinkWise Board of Directors
    Or try a quick search
  • Standard drinks calculator
  • Support services
  • Alcohol and your health
  • Drink driving
  • Binge drinking
  • Effects of alcohol on pregnancy
  • Talking to kids about alcohol
  • Parents
  • Teens
    • Sorry, we couldn't find anything…
    Information Have you ever judged someone for not drinking?
    Yes
    43%
    3

    Yes

    or

    No
    57%
    4

    No
    YesNo Tell us what you think

    Drinking alcohol is part of the Australian culture, so it can be a difficult decision to be a non-drinker. However choosing not to drink is your decision, and one that should be supported. You shouldn’t feel the need to make excuses or justify your decision to anyone.

    Out-casting adults that chose not to drink alcohol sets a risky example for impressionable teens.

    Teenagers look to their parents and other adults as role models to help them develop socially acceptable attitudes and behaviours.

    They are on the brink of adulthood and one of the dilemmas they face is the social pressure to drink. Teens feel vulnerable as they shift from parental security into peer bonding and reliance.

    You can be certain that making fun of non-drinkers will leave its mark. The last thing any teen would risk is being isolated or ridiculed by their peers. Not drinking is an option for teens but it’s rarely discussed. Unfortunately, many young people who choose not to drink don’t talk about their choice and feel isolated from the drinking culture that surrounds them.

    Tips to help change your non-drinking attitudes:

    • Examine your own values. Do you rate non-drinkers as outcasts? If you do, ask yourself why – and address it. Kids often pick up on our emotions, attitudes and tone more than just what we say.
    • Try non-alcoholic alternatives. Let your kid know that there are other alternatives and that alcohol doesn’t have to be part of every social gathering – and remember to lead by example.
    • Highlight non-drinking examples. Many Australians have never tried alcohol or are ex-drinkers. If you have a friend or relative who has chosen not to drink, let your kids hear their story.
    • Talk to family and friends. Sometimes people make jokes about non-drinkers. Remind them that this is inappropriate, and the impact it can have on your kids.

    Don’t be afraid to air your disapproval. If a friend puts down a non-drinker, ensure you kids hear your disapproval, either by challenging the critic or talking to them about afterwards. This should help open up discussion and let your kids know it’s OK to say no to drinking.

    DrinkWise - Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix brochure
    Tags
    • binge
    • help
    • kids
    • manage consumption
    • parents
    • teens
    Was this article helpful?
    You already voted!
    Share this
    Share on Facebook Tweet Email
    You may also like

    Indigenous education resources and partnerships

    Indigenous education around alcohol is an important focus for DrinkWise.  DrinkWise provides financial and in-kind support for a number of different programs and initiatives, utilising a tailored broadcast and targeted approach.

    • about
    • about us
    • campaign
    • campaigns
    • FASD
    • fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
    • health
    • legal drinking age
    • manage consumption
    • resources
    • role models
    • teenagers
    • teens

    DrinkWise videos for education programs

    DrinkWise has created a series of videos for school and community programs, to educate and build individual capacity to make informed decisions about alcohol.

    • campaign
    • campaigns
    • drinking culture
    • Effects of alcohol on pregnancy
    • FASD
    • fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
    • health
    • Indigenous
    • kids
    • legal drinking age
    • parental influence
    • parents
    • pregnancy
    • pregnant
    • resources
    • role models
    • teens

    You Got This – supporting 2020 school leavers

    The second phase of You Got This features a series of six video interviews offering practical tips and experiences that can help school-leavers remain confident and resilient as they embark on life after school.

    • about
    • about us
    • campaign
    • health
    • help
    • manage consumption
    • research
    • teens

    Choose to DrinkWise

    DrinkWise, in partnership with Retail Drinks Australia, has developed the “Choose to DrinkWise.” initiative which aims to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

    • campaign
    • manage consumption
    • standard drinks calculator
    • b
    • a
    • r
    • About Us
      • About
      • Contact
      • Media Releases
      • Labels
    • Tools
      • Standard drinks calculator
      • Alcohol & your health
      • Resources
    • Quicklinks
      • Binge drinking
      • Drink driving
      • How to drink properly
      • Get the facts
    • Drinkwise Australia

      Level 2, 232 York Street
      South Melbourne VIC 3205

      Phone: +61 3 9682 8641
      Email: info@drinkwise.org.au


    © 2021 Drinkwise Australia
      • Sitemap
      • Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
    • b
    • a
    • r
    © 2021 Drinkwise Australia