Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth today and can cause them enormous health and safety risks.
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.
In 2011, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approx. 20.9% of teens ages 14 to 15 reported having atleast 1 drink in their lifetime.
In 2021, 5.9 millions youths ages 12 to 20 admitted to drinking alcohol beyond “just a few sips” in the previous month.
Adolescent alcohol use differs by race and ethnicity.
For example, at age 14, White, Black and Hispanic youth are equally likely to drink.
By the age of 18, White and Hispanic youth are twice as likely to drink than Black youth.
How much is one drink?
In the United States, a standard drink is defined as any beverage containing 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol which can be found in:
12 ounces of beer with about 5% alcohol content.
5 ounces of wine with about 12% alcohol content.
1.5 ounces of distilled spirits with about 40% alcohol content.
The percentage of pure alcohol varies within and across beverage types.
People ages 12 to 20 years old drink 3.4% of all alcohol consumed in the United States.
Although youths drink less often than adults, when they do drink, they tend to drink more.
More than 90% of all alcohol drinks consumed by teens are consumed through binge drinking.
In 2021, 3.2 million youth ages 12 to 20 admitted to binge drinking at least once in the past month.
In 2021, approx. 613,000 youth ages 12 to 20 reported binge drinking on 5 or more days in the previous month.
Alcohol use often begins during adolescence and becomes more likely as adolescents age.
Implementing prevention strategies during early adolescence is needed to prevent this type of escalation, particularly because earlier alcohol use is associated with higher likelihood of a variety of alcohol-related consequences.
Historically, adolescent boys are more likely to drink and binge drink than girls.
Now, that relationship has reversed with adolescent girls reporting more alcohol use and binge drinking than adolescent boys.
Underage drinking poses a range or risks and can be highly dangerous because it:
Causes many deaths per year.
Causes many injuries per year.
Impairs judgement.
Increases the risk of physical and sexual assault.
Can lead to a range of other problems.
Increases the risk of alcohol problems later in life.
Interferes with brain development.
Why do so many teens drink?
Main reasons for teens to drink alcohol is peer pressure, increased independence or the desire of it and stress.
In 2021, among adolescents ages 12 to 14 who reported drinking alcohol within the past month, 99.7% reported getting it for free.
Professional treatment options include:
Attending individual or group counseling sessions one or more times per week.
Receiving a prescription from a doctor or psychiatrist to help reduce alcohol cravings.
Participating in family therapy to build a supportive foundation for recovery.
