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Underage drinking has serious consequences
Based on new scientific findings, we understand more now than we used to about the dangers of underage drinking. When children drink, they tend to drink a lot. On average, they have about five drinks on a single occasion. This not only puts them at risk for a variety of short- and long-term physical and emotional problems, it also affects and endangers the lives of those around them.1
Children who drink underage are more likely to:
- Use drugs.More than 67% of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an illicit drug.2
- Become addicted to alcohol. More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become dependent on alcohol.3
- Get bad grades. Children who use alcohol have higher rates of academic problems and poor school performance compared to nondrinkers.4
- Suffer injury or even death. In the U.S., an estimated 5,000 individuals under age 21 die each year from injuries caused by underage drinking.5 This includes death from car crashes, homicides, and suicide, as well as from injuries such as falls, burns, and drownings.6
- Engage in risky sexual activity. Teens who use alcohol are more likely than teens who don't drink to be sexually active at earlier ages, to have sexual intercourse more often, and to have unprotected sex.7
- Be a victim of a violent or sexual crime. Children who drink are more likely to become victims of rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.8
- 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.9
- Have health problems. Young people who drink are more likely to have health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.10 Even low levels of alcohol use can contribute to emotional, behavioral, and health problems both during adolescence and later in life.11,12
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