The effects of alcohol on teens can go far beyond dangers while drunk. In addition, high school students who drink are also more likely to drop out of school. Even if they remain in school, teen alcohol use can create social problems such as losing friends as well as other issues in their relationships. Although adults of legal drinking age drink more often than teens, when teens do drink, they tend to consume more alcohol. In a recent editorial in The BMJ, a trio of scientists pointed out that there are three periods in life when the brain goes through major changes and is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. When pregnant women drink alcohol, it can damage the developing brain of the fetus, leading to physical problems, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.
If your child tells you they are struggling, support them.
- In addition to the many negative health impacts that are caused directly by drinking, young drinkers are especially vulnerable to fatalities related to alcohol abuse.
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Instead, talk to your teen about the effects drinking can have on their appearance—bad breath, bad skin, and weight gain from all the empty calories and carbs. You can also talk about how drinking makes people do embarrassing things, like peeing themselves or throwing up. Overall, up to 12% of young people ages 12 to 20 years old meet the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. About 12% of teen males and 3% of teen females are chronic heavy drinkers in high school and continue to drink heavily as adults.
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- The best prevention is proactive education that is clear and concise about the dangers of teen alcohol abuse.
- Screening by a primary care provider or other health practitioner (e.g., pediatrician) provides an opportunity to identify problems early and address them before they escalate.
- Ensure they always have access to an alternative means of getting home, whether that’s a taxi, a ride share service, or calling you, an older sibling, or another adult to pick them up.
In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions. Alcohol consumption can cause brain damage, along with damage to other organs in the body.
- Making sure alcohol is not easily accessible can also help to avoid alcohol problems in teens.
- As teenagers get older, it’s not unusual for parties to become part of their lives – and that can mean they’ll start to be exposed to drinking amongst their peers.
- There are studies to indicate that medications that treat seizures, like gabapentin (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax), can help reduce drinking in individuals with alcoholism.
- In addition, the decrease in underage drinking rates has stalled since 2015.
External Risk Factors for Teen Alcohol Abuse
If you decide to cut down, a good way to start is by drinking less at home – it has lots of health benefits for you, as well as setting a good example for your children. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. NIAAA has information about alcohol use, alcohol use disorder, and treatment options. Please note, adolescents have many different issues that need to be addressed in different ways, and treatments for adolescents are often different than for adults. For example, there are no alcohol treatment medications that have been approved for adolescents to use.
Preventing Underage Drinking
When it comes to alcohol and substance use, it can be hard for people of all ages to know what’s true…and what’s not. Before talking with your child, make sure you have the facts straight. The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) teenage alcoholism Parents & Educators webpage is a great place to start. Its expert-reviewed information covers substance use and related topics in English and Spanish. If you or someone you know is having an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Alcohol and Teens
If you’re worried about your teen using alcohol, it may be tempting to take an extremely strict approach or overemphasize the risks of alcohol use. Regardless of the cause of someone’s AUD, it’s important that they receive the treatment and support they need to feel better. Parents and teachers can play a meaningful role in shaping youth’s attitudes toward drinking. Parents, in particular, can have either a positive or negative influence. The percentage of pure alcohol, expressed here as alcohol by volume (alc/vol), varies within and across beverage types. Although the standard drink amounts are helpful for following health guidelines, they may not reflect customary serving sizes.
Underage drinking consequences
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- If your teen goes to a party and chooses to have a drink, it’s a mistake that can be rectified.
- They may also copy your own drinking habits to establish their maturity.
- However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.
- Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance globally, this includes individuals under the age of 21.
- If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.