HOPE — Alcohol Use and Teens
THE FACTS
An estimated 20 million adults in the United State abuse alcohol. More than half of these alcoholics started drinking heavily when they were teenagers.
The average age when youth first try alcohol is 11 years for boys and 13 years for girls.
By age 14, 41 percent of children have had least one drink.
The average age at which Americans begin drinking regularly is 15.9 years old.
Teens who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.
An early age of drinking onset is also associated with alcohol-related violence not only among persons under age 21 but among adults as well.
It has been estimated that over three million teenagers are out-and-out alcoholics. Several million more have a serious drinking problem that they cannot manage on their own.
Annually, more than 5,000 deaths of people under age 21 are linked to underage drinking.
The three leading causes of death for 15- to 24-year-olds are automobile crashes, homicides, and suicides -- alcohol is a leading factor in all three.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, 2007FACTORS THAT MAY INCREASE
THE RISK OF TEEN ALCOHOL USE
- Significant social transistions such as graduating to middle school or high school, or getting a driver’s license.
- Low parent supervision or communication.
- Inconsistent or severe parental discipline.
- A history of conduct problems.
- Depression and other serious emotional problems.
- A family history of alcoholism.
- Contact with peers involved in deviant activities.
Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse in Teens
- Lying
- Making excuses
- Breaking curfew
- Staying in their room
- Abusive toward others
- Having items in their possession that are connected to alcohol use (paraphernaila)
- Use of breath mints or gum
Signs of alcohol intoxication
- Slurred speech or difficulty expressing a thought intelligibly
- Lack of coordination, poor balance
- Can't focus on your eyes
- Red eyes or flushed face
- Morning headaches, nausea, weakness, or sweatiness
- Odor of alcohol on breath or in sweat
UNDERAGE DRINKING AFFECTS US ALL. It can lead to dangerous behavior, property damage, and violence. About 45% of people who die in car crashes involving a drinking driver under age 21 are people other than the driver. UNDERAGE DRINKING IS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM.
