Ep. 275: Empowering Teens to Stay Alcohol-Free

Dustin Dunbar, author of You’re Doing Great and Other Lies
Alcohol Told Me, joins us to reveal the false messaging alcohol
feeds teens about itself and discusses how parents can model
alcohol-free lives to intrinsically give kids the skills to
resist drinking culture.


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that works—delivered at home. Visit equip.health/talking for more
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Full Show Notes


Teenage years come with intense new social pressures – the urge
to fit in, make friends, and figure out who you are can feel
overwhelming. In the midst of this tumultuous period, teens are
confronted with the prevalence of underage drinking all around
them. Their peers are doing it, cool kids on social media make it
look fun and exciting, and it seems like the “normal” thing to
do.


As parents, we want to protect our kids not just from the dangers
of alcohol itself, but from falling for the many myths alcohol
sells – that it’ll make you happier, more fun, more liked and
more confident. The reality is, teens need tools and support to
handle their insecurities, anxieties and difficult emotions in
healthy, constructive ways.


This week, we’re talking about how we can empower teenagers to
develop self-awareness and stay alcohol-free amidst intense
social pressures. We’re joined by Dustin Dunbar, founder of The
Alcohol-Free Revolution and author of the book “You’re Doing
Great (And Other Lies Alcohol Told Me)”.


Dustin grew up surrounded by family members struggling with
alcohol addiction. After overcoming his own battle with alcohol,
Dustin has devoted himself to smashing the myths and lies alcohol
tells young people. He’s here to reveal the tactics Big Alcohol
uses to target teens, and explain why drinking culture is
declining amongst Gen Z.


Why Teens Are Drinking Less


Despite the messaging bombarding them every day, today’s
teenagers are actually drinking less than past generations.
Dustin explains how teens are seeing through the deception
inherent in alcohol advertising and social norms. More teens are
prioritizing their health and wellbeing over fleeting social
acceptance.


Dustin reveals the shocking cancer risks of alcohol, and why
social media influencers never show the negative consequences the
next day. We discuss how parents can prompt critical thinking
about the way alcohol is marketed to take advantage of teenagers’
insecurities.


Emotional Tools For Handling Anxiety


Dustin explains why alcohol is so tempting for anxious teens – it
suppresses nervous system functioning, numbing difficult
emotions. Without alcohol, teens have to learn to sit with
feelings of awkwardness, FOMO, insecurity and more.


We discuss tools parents can teach teens to handle emotions
healthily, like identifying underlying feelings, de-escalating
anger, setting kind boundaries, and expressing needs calmly.
Dustin shares how learning these tools transformed his
relationships.


Modeling Mindful Drinking


Research shows parental drinking habits have an enormous
influence on teens. Dustin implores parents to seriously evaluate
their own drinking and model more consciousness. Substance abuse
often masks unresolved trauma – Dustin explains why getting
vulnerable and giving up numbing aids can lead to self-discovery.


Becoming an Alcohol-Free Role Model


As Dustin explains, parents’ own drinking habits can normalize
alcohol for impressionable teens. Showing teens an alcohol-free
lifestyle demonstrates better coping strategies for stress and
models healthier social skills that don’t require liquid courage.
Our interview dives into the surprising interpersonal benefits
Dustin has experienced since quitting drinking.


Joining the Alcohol-Free Revolution


Dustin discusses the free global community he created to support
people in transitioning to alcohol-free lives. Members find
camaraderie in overcoming drinking triggers, guidance in handling
new emotions now out of suppression, and inspiration from others
navigating the journey. Dustin explains how membership gives
lobbying power to eventually ban alcohol advertising, preventing
further generational indoctrination.





Sponsored by Equip: Eating disorder treatment
that works—delivered at home. Visit equip.health/talking for more
information, and a free consultation.