Either directly or indirectly, we all feel the effects of the aggressive behavior, property damage, injuries, violence, and deaths that can result from underage drinking. This is not simply a problem for some families—it is a nationwide concern. Additionally, the NIAAA notes that people who start drinking before age 15 are more than three times as likely to develop AUD as an adult than people who waited until age 21 to start drinking. With that said, some research suggests that people who drink alone as teenagers are likely to develop AUD as adults. The combination of alcohol and drugs (including cannabis) can also lead to increased risk taking.
Don’t turn a blind eye to your teen’s alcohol abuse — get them the help they need. You can start by reaching out to us and we’ll help you take it from there. Therefore, it is important to educate teens not only about the risks of drinking and driving but also to help them plan for situations to avoid it. They should also be taught to never get into a car with a drunk driver.
Medical Professionals
According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States, alcohol is the most frequently used drug by teenagers. Significant statistics regarding alcohol use in teens include that about half of junior high and senior high school students drink alcohol on a monthly basis, and 14% of teens have been intoxicated at least once in the past year. Nearly 8% of teens who drink say they drink at least five or more alcoholic drinks in a row (binge drinking).
Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine https://ecosoberhouse.com/ your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Witnessing your child struggle with a drinking problem (also known as “alcohol use disorder”) can be as heartbreaking as it is frustrating.
Get the Facts About Underage Drinking
Evaluate whether you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself. And don’t worry—even if you do identify symptoms, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of AUD and other alcohol-related consequences. If you need suicide- or mental health-related crisis support, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/teenage-alcoholism-dangers-of-underage-drinking/ or are worried about someone else, please call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat with Lifeline to connect with a trained crisis counselor. What tips the balance from drinking that causes impairment to drinking that jeopardizes your life varies among individuals.
Parents should consider offering to transport a teen or pay for a ride if the driver would otherwise be drinking. We surveyed 2,136 American adults who either wanted to stop drinking alcohol or had already tried to (successfully or not). We asked them about their alcohol use, reasons for drinking, alcohol-related outcomes, health and more.