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Underage Drinking Risks
The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. However, 11 percent of all alcohol consumption occurs in individuals between the ages of 12 and 20. Underage drinking can be dangerous and lead to serious physical and mental health issues later in life.
Drinking alcohol underage comes with dangerous consequences, including:
- Engaging in risky activities
- Alterations in bone growth
- Developmental delays
- Brain development issues
- Higher risk of developing drinking problems later in life (especially if they started drinking before the age of 15)
- Higher risk of misusing multiple substances (substance abuse)
- Car accidents, falls, drowning, and other accidents
- Increased risk of mental health disorders
- Being a victim of violent crimes
- Sexual assault
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Arrest and troubles with the law
- Vandalism and property damage
- Suicide attempts
- Unwanted pregnancy
Why Do Young People Drink?
Many college and high school students look at alcohol as a rite of passage. At this age, children are looking for ways to assert their independence, seek new experiences, and take risks. For many, alcohol is the answer.
Common reasons teenagers may begin drinking include:
- They see parents or family members drinking on a regular basis and feel it is a normal part of growing up.
- Peer pressure also has a major influence on underage drinking. Preteens, teens, and young adults want to look “cool” and fit in with friends and peers.
- With the high-stress lifestyles common today, many teens turn to alcohol to cope with stress. Stresses may include daily obligations, getting into college, family problems, work, and school.
Underage Drinking Statistics
- By the age of 15, 33 percent of teens have had at least one drink. That number increases to 60 percent by the age of 18.
- Over 5 million young people reported binge drinking, with just over one million reporting five or more days of binge drinking per month.
- Twenty-two percent of males between 12 and 20 years of age reported binge drinking in the past month.
- Sixteen percent of females between 12 and 20 years of age reported binge drinking in the past month.
- The most common age group below 21 that binge drinks are those between 18 and 20 years of age. Thirty percent reported binge drinking at least once in the last 30 days.
- About 600,000 students are accidentally injured while under the influence of alcohol.
Each year, approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related injuries due to underage drinking:
- 32 percent of the 5,000 deaths are caused by homicides
- 6 percent of the 5,000 deaths result from suicides
- 38 percent of the 5,000 deaths involve car accidents
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College Life Contributes to Underage Drinking
As teens enter college, it is a time for new experiences and a new sense of independence. Unfortunately, in many cases, this often means new opportunities for drinking.
According to a 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, almost 55 percent of college students between 18 and 22 report regular drinking. In addition, almost 40 percent report binge drink regularly. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women.
Risk Factors Contributing to Underage Drinking
When it comes to underage drinking, peer pressure and natural experimentation are not enough to draw all young people to drink. Other risk factors are often present, especially when young teens and adults become dependent on alcohol. Some major risks associated with underage drinking and alcohol abuse include:
- Family background and lifestyle – Drinking behaviors of family members and friends contribute to the risk of underage drinking. Parents with alcohol problems increase the risk of underage drinking. Lack of parental support or monitoring also contributes to underage drinking. If parents do not drink at home and also warn teens about the risks of alcohol, underage drinking is less likely to occur.
- Genetics – Many people think of alcoholism as genetic or hereditary and, in a sense, this is true. There are genes and genetic variants that predispose a person to alcohol addiction. Children of alcoholics are more likely to drink than those of nonalcoholic parents and are also more likely to develop alcoholism.
- Childhood behavior – How a child behaves in their younger years can increase their risk of underage drinking and alcoholism. For example, children that are impulsive, restless, aggressive, or easily distractible from ages 3 to 10 are more likely to participate in underage drinking. In the future, they may become alcohol dependent. Those with antisocial behaviors in childhood are more at risk of alcohol abuse and dependence in adolescence and adulthood.
- Psychiatric disorders – Conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression increase the probability of underage drinking.
- Trauma – Children that experience child abuse or other significant trauma are at risk of underage drinking and alcohol abuse as a method of dealing with trauma and stress.
10 Signs Your Child is Drinking Alcohol
Some common signs of underage drinking include:
- Rebelling against family rules
- Finding alcohol in your child's room, car, or backpack
- Smelling alcohol on his or her breath
- Adopting a "nothing matters" attitude, which could mean low energy, neglected self-care, and lack of interest in activities
- Physical problems like lack of coordination and bloodshot eyes
- Mental issues like memory lapses, difficulties concentrating, and slurred speech
- Mood changes like defensiveness, anger, irritability, and a short temper
- Changing friend groups or hanging out with a riskier group of people
- Problems in school like low grades, skipping class, or getting in trouble often
- Staying out later than usual, sneaking out, and appearing tired often
Negative Consequences of Underage Drinking
Underage drinking contributes to thousands of deaths each year. It can also lead to many other serious health consequences, including:
Risky Behaviors
Teens under the influence of alcohol are more likely to participate in risky sexual behavior and are often the victims of assault or sexual assault. This also includes drinking and driving, as well as aggressive or violent behavior.
Altered Bone Growth
In addition to the usual health problems of alcohol abuse and dependency, such as liver disease, underage drinking poses other risks. Regular and excessive consumption of alcohol during adolescence can delay puberty as well as alter bone growth, often resulting in weaker bones or osteoporosis.
Brain Development Issues
During childhood and adolescence, the brain undergoes critical brain development. Underage drinking can disrupt this development. One major area that alcohol affects is the brain’s ability to create memories.
Remembering new names, numbers, and even events becomes problematic, if not impossible. This contributes to impaired cognitive function and learning difficulty.
In addition, this can make the brain more prone to alcohol dependency. Disruption of this brain development during adolescence can lead to long-term alterations that can extend into adulthood.
Death and Injuries
Each year, approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related injuries due to underage drinking. This is due to falls, car accidents, suicide, drowning, alcohol poisoning, and more.
Impaired Decision Making and Judgment
Heavy drinking impairs judgment and decision making, no matter the person's age. This can increase the risk of violence, sexual assault, drinking and driving, unsafe sex, and unwanted pregnancy.
Other Problems
Younger people who start drinking before the age of 15 have a higher risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). They are also more likely to skip school, get in trouble with the law, and neglect daily responsibilities. The longer they drink, the more difficult it is to break these habits.
Do Underage Drinkers Become Alcoholics?
While not all underage drinkers will progress to alcohol use disorder during adolescence or early adulthood, those that drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
How to Reduce Underage Drinking
Substance use treatment and addiction rehab are effective for teens. Treatment options may include behavioral therapies, family intervention, and group therapy.
Most teen rehab programs last about 12 to 16 weeks.
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