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. This is not simply a problem for some families—it is a nationwide concern. Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States. Alcohol is the most widely powerless over alcohol examples used substance among America’s youth and can cause them enormous health and safety risks. The more we know about how alcohol affects the adolescent brain, the more we can inform the conversations about alcohol that we have with teens. If you need suicide- or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat with Lifeline to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
In a recent editorial in ideas for substance abuse groups 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. When people over the age of 65 drink alcohol, it can worsen declines in brain function that happen during aging. As adolescents mature, they undergo complex developmental changes, especially in their brains. The widespread changes in the organization and functioning of the brain—which continue into a person’s mid-20s—bring about the cognitive, emotional, and social skills necessary for adolescents to survive and thrive.
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. Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services). Having only a couple of symptoms—which you might not consider trouble signs—can signal a drinking problem.
Preventing Underage Drinking
The nature of these rapid changes may also increase the adolescent brain’s vulnerability to alcohol exposure. Young people who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to injuries and other health conditions. They’re also more likely to experience social, academic, and legal issues. During those years of transition between childhood and adulthood, the brain grows and changes in many important ways that are crucial for that transition to be successful. When teens and young adults drink alcohol, it can interfere with that process of brain development in ways that affect the rest of their lives.
With that said, some research suggests that people who drink alone as teenagers are likely to develop AUD as adults. Formerly known as alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can affect people of all ages. Screening youth for alcohol use and AUD is very important and may prevent problems down the road. 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. NIAAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that all youth be regularly screened for alcohol use. The percentage of pure alcohol, expressed here as alcohol by volume (alc/vol), varies within and across beverage types.
Get the Facts About Underage Drinking
- They try to do this in manners that challenge authority, particularly the close authority figures they have followed most of their lives, such as teachers and parents.
- What tips the balance from drinking that causes impairment to drinking that jeopardizes your life varies among individuals.
- It is a mistaken notion to assume that children and adolescents are simply miniature versions of adults.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 3.4% of US teenagers ages 12 to 17 have AUD.
- The consequences of underage drinking can affect everyone—regardless of age or drinking status.
For more information about alcohol’s effects on the body, please see the NIAAA Interactive Body. That’s an awful lot of youth who could be changing their brains — and their lives — forever. It should be clearly understood that use of alcohol by any individual under the age of 21 is a serious problem.
And don’t worry—even if you do identify symptoms, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of AUD and other alcohol-related consequences. Alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that the areas of the brain controlling basic life-support systems—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down. However, frequent alcohol misuse may eventually lead to AUD, according to the NIAAA. AUD is a condition where a person is addicted to alcohol or unable to control their alcohol use. When someone drinks frequently, their body becomes dependent on alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 3.4% of US teenagers ages 12 to 17 have AUD.
Recognize Early Warning Signs
Use of alcohol is one way to challenge this authority, but children and adolescents do not fully understand the risks on their health and behavior. However, it is still important to know how alcohol affects your health, how to identify signs fetal alcohol syndrome celebrities of a problem, and where to get help. Facts About Teen Drinking is a resource for teens, created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, with research-based information on underage drinking. Read about the mental health challenges facing teenagers at Healthline and Psych Central’s Youth In Focus series, which shares useful tips, resources, and support.
If you think your teen may not feel comfortable talking with you, perhaps guide them toward another trusted adult, such as an aunt, uncle, family friend, or community leader, with whom they have a good relationship. However, it’s still a good idea to reach out to them — regardless of the cause of their behavior, they may need guidance and support.