Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Teenagers and Alcohol Abuse: What are the Risks?

There are many risks involved with underage drinking. Possibly the scariest is the lack of understanding about alcohol and what it does to the body. Underage drinkers have no concept of the damage drinking too much can have or even what constitutes “a drink”.

14 grams of pure alcohol is a standard drink: which is found in:

12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine
1.5 ounces of distilled spirits

Alcohol is abused by adolescents more than cigarettes or marijuana. As the underage user gets older, they tend to consume more alcohol. Studies also show that boys seem to have a greater propensity for higher consumption than girls do. Some of the studies conducted show staggering results concerning underage drinking in the United States.

Did you know that according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

In 2009, 10.4 million adolescents between the ages of 12-20 had consumed more than “just a few sips”.
By age 15, half of the teens asked had partaken in more than one alcoholic beverage.
By 18 years of age, that number was up to 70%
Teenaged drinkers typically drink less often, but more is consumed on each occasion, than adult drinkers.

The brain is still developing throughout the teen years. Long-lasting harm to thinking abilities caused by heavy drinking in teen years was proven by new research conducted on teens with alcohol disorders. Underage drinkers are enticed by drinking and snared in without grasping the reality left behind in the form of strained family relationships, suffering social relationships, and possible damaging effects upon their own health.

Risks of underage drinking:

Teens who engage in alcohol abuse may be more likely to try other illicit substances.

Impaired judgment – Adolescents can make poor decisions when drinking, which can lead to risky behavior like drinking and driving, violence, or sexual activity.
Increased risk for physical/sexual assault– underage drinkers are more likely to perform or be the victim of a physical or sexual assault.
Brain development problems–Alcohol can affect brain development, and contribute to a range of problems.
Injuries – In 2008, more than 190,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries alone.
Death –Alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning kill 5,000 people under age 21 each year.

Recognizing the signs of underage drinking:

Academic and/or behavioral issues at school
New groups of friends
Diminished interest in activities and/or appearance
Finding alcohol in their belongings or smelling alcohol on their breath
Speech slurred
Coordination problems
Problems with concentration and/or memory

1 million young people had 5 or more drinks on the same occasion on 5 or more days over the past month, according to The National Institute of Health. Keeping a vigilant eye out for abuse of any kind in an adolescent, has become a basic part of raising a responsible adult. Make sure your child is educated about the devastating effects alcohol can cause if abused.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Radiotherapy for cancer treatment

Radiotherapy is also commonly known as radiation therapy, which is also used for cancer treatment. As the name suggests, radiotherapy involves the use of radiations, the ionizing radiations, for treating cancer. These ionizing radiations “injure or destroy” the affected cancerous cells, hampering their “growth” and “division”. It is likely, the normal cells also being damaged,….

Dangers of Underage Drinking

There is nothing positive about underage drinking. Teenagers sometimes get behind the wheel and drive under the influence which is a big issue. According to studies by the National Crime Prevention Council, automobile crashes related to underage drinking are the leading cause of death for teens. Approximately 36% of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds….

Anti-binge drinking campaign reminds people to know their limits

A new advertising campaign including a video which confronts young people with the reality of their drunken behaviour was unveiled by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell today. The centrepiece of this year’s Know Your Limits campaign is a new internet viral advert which shows footage of people’s sober reactions when asked to behave as they….

Treatment centers

Today’s life of the individual has become very fast paced. The room for family and social life is narrowing day by day. An individual is facing many problems and experiences tension and stress at his workplace and at home. Therefore, the emotional support that is needed by an individual is inadequate. All these situations are….

Binge drinking best tackled through personal networks

Addressing personal friendship networks is the best way to tackle the spread of binge drinking in the UK, the Advertising Association has found. It come in the wake of a new ad campaign wave from the Home Office which aims to deal with what is perceived as a growing national menace. The ads contain shocking….