Alcohol UseDid you know that alcohol is the most commonly used drug by adolescents? Or that the average age that Americans begin drinking alcohol on a regular basis is 15.9 years old? Scary thought due to the fact that it is illegal to drink any sort of alcohol until a person is 21 years old.
There are many reasons teens drink alcohol. The main reason being peer pressure. Although it’s difficult to say no when you’re surrounded by a group of friends that are doing something that seems exciting, remember that the consequences of breaking the law will be much worse then not following the crowd for a night
Reasons Teens drink alcohol:
- Thrill seeking: yes it’s exciting to try something new, but rather than trying something that can effect you for the rest of your life, try something legal, like skiing, mountain biking or a new sport you might be interested in.
- Emotional problems: everyone goes through difficult times in their lives and there are several resources available to help deal with these situations. Although it may seem like alcohol helps solve a problem, the reality is it only makes it worse. Alcohol should not be used as a way to cope or deal with stress, click here for alternative ideas on how to deal with stress.
- Poor impulse control: Sometimes it’s hard to stop and think about what would happen in certain situations and more exciting to just jump in and do it. If you are the type of person that likes to “do now, think later”, try to take a step back, count to ten and think through the situation next time you are confronted with a situation that may put you or others at risk
- Feeling they are invincible: If you are human, you can hurt and you can get in trouble.
Signs and Symptoms of Intoxication
- Breath, skin and/or clothing smell like alcohol
- Flushed skin
- Blood shot or glazed over eyes
- Watery eyes
- Slurred speech
- Balance/Coordination problems
- Speaking very loud or soft
- Unkempt appearance
It is proven that teens that stay away from alcohol until they are 21 years old are less likely to develop problems with substance abuse as adults. Those that begin before 15 years old are three times more likely to be dependent on alcohol then those that stayed away from it.
Facts on Teen Drinking
- The average age that boys first try alcohol is 11 years old
- The average age that girls first try alcohol is 13 years old
- Over three million teenagers are alcoholics with several more having severe drinking problems
- Drinking is the leading factor in car crashes, suicides and homicides amongst teens
- Dependence is associated with other problems such as depression and anxiety
- 89% of 10th graders feel they have alcohol readily available for them when they want it; 75% of 8th felt they would be able to get it as needed
Cost of Teen Drinking
- Attempting to buy alcohol if you are less than 21 years old could cause you to lose your driving privileges for up to 90 days and you may have to pay a fine.
- If you get a citation for underage drinking it will cost you up to $700 and/or 90 days in jail along with the loss of driving privileges for 30 days. The citation will remain on your record for 15 years.
- With a second violation you will lose your license for 180 days.
- The cost of a DWI is even higher. The consequences of a DWI include a $3,000.00 fine, along with additional legal costs, one year in jail, loss of driving privileges and an increase in your insurance rate. A DWI will remain on your record for 15 years.
For Parents
Do you suspect you child may be using alcohol? Here are some common signs and symptoms to look for in your teen.
- Decrease in school performance
- Mood changes
- Lying
- Breaking curfew
- Making excuses
- Smell of alcohol on breath, skin and/or clothing
- Changing friends
- Stealing
Ways to prevent teen alcohol use
- Never provide alcohol to anyone under 21 years old! If you get caught providing alcohol to minors, even in your own home, you could get fined up to $3,000 and go to jail for one year.
- Discuss alcohol use with your teens. Tell them what you expect of them and educate them about the negative effects of alcohol use.
- Be there for your teen. Make sure they know you are there for them and open to any questions they have. Create a safe environment.
- Be a role model. If you drink in front of your teens and their peers, do so responsibly.
- Set rules and stick to them. Teens are more likely to use alcohol if there are no rules set or if they know the rules are not enforced.
Resources for Parents and Teens
|
