Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by teens. The average male will consume his first alcoholic beverage by the age of 11 and the average girl at 13 years old. While peer pressure, environmental factors, and genetic components seem to be the cause of alcohol abuse in teens, it has become clear that most teens will experiment at some point in time. In fact, according to self reports by United States students, grades 9 through 12, about 74% had consumed alcohol on one or more days during their life. However, this statistic is highly alarming due to the fact that teen alcohol abuse is a risk factor for other problems. It not only has a negative effect on teens, but costs our nation billions of dollars each year and threatens the safety and lives of everyone.
Studies have shown that the negative effects of teen alcohol use include everything from decreased performance to brain damage and even death. Risky sexual behavior, pregnancy, drug use, poor academic performance, depression, and suicide are all issues that can be caused or heightened by teen alcohol abuse. While teens are still actively developing physically, drinking can disrupt this process. It may cause liver damage or an imbalance of hormones that can affect the growth of bones, muscles, and vital organs, or alter the onset of puberty and the maturation of the reproductive system. Due to the fact that teen drinking can dispupt the development of the frontal area and hippocampus of the brain, it can diminish a teen’s ability to learn, recall information, control urges, use good judgment, and make plans for the future.
More than 41% of all motor vehicle accidents involve alcohol. Over 17,000 lives are lost each year from this problem. Young inexperienced drivers are already at high risk for an auto collision without being under the influence. Nearly 25% of all alcohol related deaths involve teen drunk driving. It has been estimated that underage drinking costs the United States more than $58 billion dollars each year. This is enough money to buy a computer for every student in America. Also, studies show that teens who abuse alcohol are more likely to become dependent and suffer from alcoholism as an adult.
