One of the biggest health problems in the USA today is underage drinking, and many teens and young adults die each year due to alcohol use and poor decision making. The facts and statistics about this activity are surprising to many parents. The latest research shows that:
- When it comes to substance abuse among teens and young adults alcohol is the most commonly abused substance.
- Close to 40% of high school students have reported using alcohol at least once in the last 30 days.
- Roughly 22% of high school students report binge drinking in the last 30 days.
- Approximately one in four high school students admit getting into a vehicle when the driver had been drinking in the last 30 days.
- Between 7%-8% of high school students have driven a vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Statistics show that teens who first try alcohol before the age of 15 years old are far more likely to abuse this substance and become dependent or addicted as a result, and some studies show that this activity increases the risk of alcohol abuse as much as five times when compared to an individual who does not consume alcohol before age 21. Teens who use alcohol are also at a much higher risk of suicide and homicide, as well as injuries or even death from accidents and vehicle crashes. Alcohol poisoning is also a big risk for teens, and they may also end up with permanent brain damage that is irreversible due to this substance abuse.
