Underage Drinking

Underage drinking is associated with various negative consequences for children and can affect and endanger the lives of those around them. Over the last several decades, scientific understanding and knowledge of the dangers of underage drinking have increased substantially. Underage drinking is associated with various negative consequences for children and can affect and endanger the lives of those around them.

Children who drink alcohol are more likely to:

Use drugs

Frequent binge drinkers (nearly 1 million high school students nationwide) are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including using other drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

Get bad grades

Children who use alcohol have higher rates of academic problems and poor school performance compared with nondrinkers.

Suffer injury or death

In 2009, an estimated 1,844 homicides; 949,400 nonfatal violent crimes such as rape, robbery, and assault; and 1,811,300 property crimes, including burglary, larceny, and car theft were attributed to underage drinking.

Engage in risky sexual activity

Young people who use alcohol are more likely to be sexually active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex.

Make bad decisions

Drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the chances that children will engage in risky behavior or do something that they will regret when they are sober.

Have health problems

Young people who drink are more likely to have health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.

The following signs may signal problems with the use of alcohol and other drugs. Experts say that a substance use problem is more likely if you notice several of these signs at the same time, if they occur suddenly, or if some of them are extreme in nature.

• Mood changes (e.g., flare-ups of temper, irritability, defensiveness)
• Poor class attendance, low grades, and/or behavior problems
• Disregard for school rules
• Memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech
• Switching friends and a reluctance to allow parents to meet new friends

Learn more about Underage Drinking at https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking