Teen Alcohol Abuse Facts & Statistics of Underage Drinking

According tounderage drinking statisticsreported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),30%of high schoolers consumed alcohol in the past month. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has also reported that approximatelyone-thirdof teenagers have consumed one or more alcoholic drinks by the time they turn 15. For youth in the first stage of alcohol use (having access but not having yet used alcohol), preventive measures are used. Therefore, healthcare professionals recommend limiting access to alcohol or other drugs, addressing any risk factors of the youth or family, as well as optimal parental supervision and expression regarding expectations.

Preventing teen alcohol use

For help starting the conversation and finding treatment, check out the links below. Additional treatment and support resources for teen substance use are listed in the “Resources” section of this article. If you sign up for therapy after clicking through from this site, HelpGuide will earn a commission. This helps us continue our nonprofit mission and continue to be there as a free mental health resource for everyone. Opening a dialogue with your teen about alcohol can be challenging but crucial. By creating an open and honest conversation, you can provide essential information and guidance.

Adolescents can learn the skills necessary to avoid the dangers of drinking before 21, like developing alcohol use disorder. If you are struggling to control your alcohol use, this is one of the clinical criteria for alcohol use disorder. Supportive, stable home environments and family therapy can help teens feel motivated to make positive changes. Address these by providing accurate information, and reassure them that it’s okay to make mistakes but essential to learn from them. Lower grades or diminished engagement in extracurricular activities may be signs of alcohol abuse. Teens may skip https://ecosoberhouse.com/ school, lose interest in learning, or pull away from clubs or sports they once enjoyed.

How can I get help and support for teen substance use?

Setting up visits to a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other substance abuse treatment professional are all good first options. There are some situations that will require further intervention, such as outpatient and, potentially, inpatient substance abuse treatment should the situation call for it. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 3.4% of US teenagers ages 12 to 17 have AUD. Formerly known as alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can affect people of all ages. Overall, the prognosis for alcoholism can be positive with early intervention, effective treatment, and ongoing support.

• If you sign up for therapy after clicking through from this site, HelpGuide will earn a commission.
• Teens might drink to avoid being socially excluded or because they believe it is a normal part of social interactions.
• Parents, caregivers, and family dynamics in the home have a large influence over the likelihood of whether their teen partakes in underage drinking.

Addiction Treatment

If you are ready to find treatment options for yourself or a loved one, get started right now with our free rehab locator tool. Even if parents only drink casually (e.g., a glass of wine to destress after work), teens may perceive this behavior as an acceptable way to cope with stress 3. People can speak with a doctor, mental health professional, or support organization about themselves or for advice on helping someone else. Being aware of these disparities can help adults learn how to address teen alcohol use more effectively, paying particular attention to the most at-risk groups. You’ve found bottles of alcohol hidden in your child’s room and regularly smelled alcohol on their breath.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the problem of teen alcohol abuse is crucial in developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Many teens also engage in alcohol consumption to cope with stress or emotional difficulties. Binge drinking is common and involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. The risks of alcohol abuse are extremely documented and can cause long lasting side effects on the brain and body.

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One helpful resource for recognizing alcohol problems is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Alcohol Use Disorder quiz. This quiz helps teens and adults understand their drinking habits and whether they need support (CDC, 2025). In addition, teens can build healthy coping skills by participating in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Short-Term Side Effects of Teenage Alcohol Abuse

“Assessing the pattern of development for alcohol use disorder is essential to the core of all substance use disorder treatment,” explains Holland. Teen drinking has been linked to serious mental and behavioral health concerns, including alcohol dependence, depression, and increased risk of suicide. Here are some teen alcohol abuse tips for helping your teen avoid alcohol abuse or end unhealthy behaviors with alcohol. Never Alone is a rehab in New York for teens ages 12–17 struggling with drugs, alcohol, and mental health challenges.

• Desperate to fit in and be accepted, kids are much more likely to drink when their friends drink.
• Advertising and social media do not have to be the enemy,researchshows that alcohol warning advertisements and alcohol counter-advertising can reduce the urge to drink among young adults.
• Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals.
• In most states and local jurisdictions, use of alcohol by underage individuals is illegal, though there are a few exceptions.

Typical Teen Behavior vs. Signs of Substance Use

Discover the benefits of harm reduction for teens, including safer use, education, support, and pathways to long-term recovery. An important part of your parental role is implementing prevention strategies to reduce the likelihood of your teen abusing alcohol, or addressing it if heroin addiction you suspect they are. They are going through a number of biological changes, while also exploring their identity. Alcohol can disrupt brain development, personality development and mess with hormones. Your health plan’s contracted network providers may also offer in-office appointments.

Try seeking help from a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or counselor. Keep any alcohol in your home locked away and routinely check potential hiding places your teen may have for alcohol, such as under the bed, between clothes in a drawer, or in a backpack. Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of having been caught using alcohol. No matter how tall or mature your teen seems, they need boundaries, discipline, and structure as much as ever. While your rules won’t be the same or as rigid as when they were younger, having loose boundaries can be confusing and overwhelming for a teen. While you can expect a teen to test any boundaries, be clear on what is and isn’t acceptable behavior and what the consequences are for breaking your rules.

AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction

NIAAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that all youth be regularly screened for alcohol use. Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States. Many youth drink, and when the do, they often binge drink (see the Underage Drinking Facts and Statistics page for more information about the prevalence and scope of the problem). If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

Teenagers in Kentucky are 13.81% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Kansas are 3.58% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Iowa are 20.50% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.