TEEN ALCOHOL USE
STATISTICS ON TEEN ALCOHOL USE
In the United States, alcohol use has gradually declined among high school students in the past few decades. However, it is still the most common drug people under 21 use, and around 4,000 people under the age of 21 die as a result of excessive drinking each year.
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According to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
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47.4% of U.S. high school students reported having drunk alcohol at least once in their life
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22.7% of those students reported currently using alcohol
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of those who use any type of substance, 35.1% reported using more than one, with the most common combination being alcohol and cannabis
RISKS OF TEEN DRINKING
There are several risks to drinking alcohol in adolescence.
Effect on Brain Development
The brain changes significantly during adolescence. This changeability, or plasticity, means that the brain can be vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.
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The younger a person starts drinking, the more likely they are to notice effects on their cognition and memory, which may last into adulthood.
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Teen alcohol use may also raise the risk of alcohol use disorder, anxiety, or depression in adulthood. However, because the brain at this age is still developing, it may also recover from some alcohol-induced changes.
Impaired Judgment
During adolescence, the parts of the brain that relate to stress and reward are very active. Additionally, the part of the brain responsible for decision making, the prefrontal cortex, has not yet finished developing. This combination can mean teens are more likely to act impulsively.
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To an extent, this is typical for this life stage, as teens begin to enter the world of adulthood and try new things. But in combination with alcohol, which also lowers inhibitions, it can result in impaired judgment.
