The Dangers Associated with Teen Alcohol Use Today
By: A Forever Recovery
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The Dangers Associated with Teen Alcohol Use Today
Over half of the youth in America between the ages of 12 and 20 have experimented with drinking alcohol. Binge drinking is common in youth as they typically do it in settings away from parental figures. Underage drinking often leads to car accidents and can result in alcohol poisoning, due to the binge factor. Further, teen alcohol use can result in addiction as an adult.
They're Drinking at Younger Ages Today
- Binge drinking
- Driving while intoxicated
- Suicide
- Unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners
- Violent behavior
- Addiction later in life
Kids in America are drinking earlier than ever before, with a recent national survey finding that over half of kids between 12 and 20 have tried alcohol. Previously, boys were much more likely to drink at an early age than girls. In 2015, statistics showed that 58 percent of boys 12 and over were drinking, while it was 47 percent for girls. However, in the youngest age group from 12 to 17, the rate was nearly the same at 15 percent for boys and 14 for girls.
While many young adults may stop drinking or reduce drinking by the time they leave college and become employed, the risk of becoming a problem drinker remains. Those who start drinking at age 14 or earlier are six times more inclined to become a problem drinker.
Dangers of Teen Alcohol Use
Even though kids are starting to drink earlier than ever, some problem drinkers are highest among the age group of 18 and 25. The use and abuse of alcohol in this age group presents some dangers.
Alcohol is a major and growing factor in car accidents. One-third of young drivers between the age of 21 and 24 who died in car accidents in 2009 had levels of alcohol in their blood over the legal limit.
Drinking can cause lasting health problems. Drinking at a young age when the brain and body are still developing can create lasting health concerns. Memory and motor skills may be impaired, and puberty may be delayed in girls. Further, it can lead to alcohol addiction or other addiction later in life.
Drinking increases the probability of sexual assault. Every year, nearly 100,000 students in the college age group of 18 to 24 are victims of sexual assault stemming from alcohol abuse.
Teens or young adults who are abusing alcohol should seek help at an inpatient alcohol treatment center. This type of therapy provides counseling and medical support for withdrawal symptoms. Trying to stop abusing alcohol individually is often tough.
Call our toll-free number today if you’d like to learn more about teen alcohol use.