Teen Alcohol Usage Statistics

Even though the legal drinking age is 21, some boys have their first drink at age 11, while some girls first drink alcohol at 13.

In the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, underaged drinking was found to be common amongst teens:

Roughly 4.2 million young people reported binge drinking or consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period within the past month. These statistics show that parents can overlook the importance of securing their home’s alcohol from teens while promoting a healthy lifestyle for their children.

Alcohol and the Teen Brain

Alcohol can impact your teen’s brain in many ways. The effects on a child’s brain are well researched, and experts find that alcohol can result in permanent damage to the brain’s development and psychology when consumed as a teenager.

Teen brains are still developing to shape how they perceive their emotions, identify danger, and interpret excitement. Heavy alcohol use during this crucial time could lead to permanent changes to motor skills and memory that impact teens’ brain function into adulthood.

Is Underage Drinking A Serious Problem?

If you suspect your child is abusing alcohol at a young age, know that you are not alone. Experts and parents alike have concluded that underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the U.S. In fact, recent studies have shown that over 3,500 adolescents aged 12-20 die, and another 119,000 others are hospitalized with alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related injuries each year.

Underage drinking also leads to:

Even casual teen alcohol use can develop into a serious problem with devastating results. Teen rehab programs are the best choice for treating alcohol addiction because they are designed specifically for teens.

Why Do Teens Drink Alcohol?

There is no simple answer to understand why teens decide to drink alcohol at an early age. However, these common influences and issues lead to teen alcohol use:

Typically, a combination of these catalysts will play into a teen’s decision to drink alcohol. Be sure to keep an eye out for underlying symptoms that could lead to alcohol abuse among your teens to prevent life-long abuse issues stemming from the liquor stored in your home.

How to Spot the Signs of Teen Alcohol Misuse

Being observant is key to spotting the warning signs before teen alcohol use spirals into addiction or acts as a gateway to other drugs and substances. It’s important to remember that it’s not your failure as a parent if your child begins drinking in their teenage years.

You can address underlying issues that can lead to alcohol abuse, and it’s important to be honest with your teens if you begin to notice signals that they are turning to alcohol. Let’s take a look at how you can prevent underage drinking and help your teen make healthy life choices moving forward.

Preventing Underage Drinking

As with any substance addiction, prevention is key. It’s never too early to have a conversation about the relationship between your teen and alcohol.

During the conversation, ask questions about their views on alcohol and listen calmly. Overreacting will cause them to withdraw, so be prepared for an open conversation.

Finally, offer education on the risks and dangers of alcohol abuse and binge drinking, as well as tips on how to say no if they are offered alcohol.

What Do I Do If My Teen Is Already Drinking?

It’s never easy when you recognize signs of addiction in your loved one.

If you suspect your teen is abusing alcohol, it’s important to handle the issue immediately. At ADAPT Programs, we use evidence-based treatment methods specially designed for teen addicts.

ADAPT Programs adolescent outpatient programs are a great choice for helping to heal your loved one and your family.

Our teen rehab programs offer withdrawal management, therapy, and tools to help your teenager stay sober and heal the damage addiction has caused to your family.

Contact ADAPT Programs today to start your family on the path of healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Teen Addiction Resources