The best memories come from good friends, not good drinks.

Prom night is all about celebrating, but drinking doesn’t have to be part of the fun. The best memories come from staying in the moment—laughing with friends, dancing to your favorite songs, and ending the night with zero regrets. Check out these resources to live your best memories on prom night.

Safety Tips

After Party Ideas

How To Say No

Facts About Alcohol

For Parents

Prom Night Safety Tips

Did you know that 1/3 of all teen drunk driving-related fatalities occur between April and June?
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Here are some tips to keep yourself and your friends safe this prom season.

What will you be doing the night of prom? Having a plan makes it easier to refuse if someone wants to do something you aren’t comfortable doing. It also means more fun and more memories!

Check out our list of after party ideas to plan ahead.

Most teens choose not to drink after special occasions.

Studies show that about 94% of teens believe the typical high school senior drinks at prom. In reality, two-thirds choose not to drink. (NIH)

Read about how alcohol can impact your body and your decision-making here.

Refuse to get in the car with an impaired driver.

Download a ride share app to ensure that you have a safe & sober ride.

Apple users can download an app here. Android users can download an app here.

Always wear your seatbelt and obey traffic laws.

Stay with people you trust and don’t go off alone. Have a “code word” you can text a friend or parent if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

After Party Ideas

Having a plan for what you will be doing after prom is a great a way to avoid drinking. Check out these ideas for having a memorable night while staying sober.

Get Outside

  • Have a bonfire
  • Go stargazing
  • Visit a playground & swing
  • Set up a projector and watch a movie outside

Go Play

  • Go bowling
  • Visit an arcade
  • Play mini-golf
  • Go roller skating
  • Go to a late movie

Hang At Home

  • Karaoke Night
  • Play Games
  • Movie Marathon
  • Spa Night
  • Have an indoor picnic

Go Eat

  • Compare french fries at fast food places
  • Late night breakfast
  • Grab a milkshake or ice cream

How To Say No

While peer pressure can be difficult to resist, it is important to remember that most teens choose not to drink after prom.

Watch this three-minute video to  learn how to say no to drinking, and yes to epic memories.

Facts About Alcohol

Knowing the facts makes healthy decisions easier. Here is some information about the impacts of underage drinking from the CDC.

  • More school absences
  • Lower grades
  • Drinking and driving puts you and those around you at risk. It can also lead to fines and losing your license.

Young people who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to injuries and health conditions.

  • Violence, including homicide, suicide, and sexual violence.
  • Injuries including alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, burns, falls, or drowning.
  • Not growing as expected.
  • Slower brain development—which may cause problems with memory.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and unplanned pregnancy—which can result from sex without protection.
    • Protection includes using condoms or taking medicine to prevent STIs, HIV, or pregnancy.

Lastly, people who start drinking earlier in life have a higher risk of using alcohol excessively or developing alcohol use disorder later in life.

For Parents

Did you know that studies show the vast majority of teens think their parents should have a say in whether or not they drink?
(NIH)

Here are some tips to help prevent your teen from drinking.

Establish your policy about underage drinking early with your teen, and make sure your expectations are clear. Having this conversation early and often is key to making sure you and your teen are on the same page. Be consistent with your expectations, but let them know that you are there if they have questions or are curious.

Not sure how to start the conversation? Here are some tips:

  • Talk in a relaxed setting, such as in the car or while watching tv.
  • Keep the conversation short.
  • Ask and listen. Resist lecturing.
  • Explain the reasons behind your beliefs
  • Keep having short, informal conversations. Check in regularly to see if they have questions.
  • Let them know you care about them.

Here are some reasons to avoid underage drinking that you can share with your teen:

  • The brain continues to develop until the mid-to-late 20s (NIH)
  • Drinking can increase the chances for risky behaviors (NIAAA)
    • Driving under the influence
    • Unprotected sex
    • Violent or aggressive behavior
  • Drinking at an early age increases the chances of an alcohol use disorder later in life (NIH)
  • Most youth–around 80%–do not drink (NIAAA)

Risk factors for underage drinking include:

  • Transitional times (moving, a new school, a divorce, etc.)
  • Celebrations such as prom or graduation
  • Mental health challenges (depression, excessive stress, etc.)
  • Family history of a use disorder

Did you know that Tennessee has a social host law that holds adults responsible for underage drinking on their property?

While many parents think it is safer to allow teens to drink at home, studies show that adolescents whose parents provide them with alcohol at home experience the steepest increase in drinking and are more likely to drink heavily outside the home (NIH).

Protect your teen by making sure to lock alcohol up and never provide alcohol to your child or someone else’s child.

Signs of underage drinking include:

  • Change in mood
  • Problems at school
  • Change in friend group
  • Physical symptoms (i.e. slurred speech, lack of coordination)

Know who your teens are spending time with, and get to know the parents and guardians of their friends. Work with other guardians to monitor your teens and stay involved in where they are and who they are with.

Safety Tips

After Party Ideas

How To Say No

Facts About Alcohol

For Parents

This product was developed under grant number 6H79SP081069-03M001 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.