Teen Alcoholism

In the United States today, alcohol is the most commonly used drug among teenagers. Teens are ruining their opportunities in school and hurting their relationships with their family members. In addition, many are getting hurt, if not killed, in alcohol-related accidents. In fact, alcohol kills 6.5 times more of our country’s young people than all other drugs combined.

If you are a teen struggling with alcoholism, you should learn more about the statistics and consequences that go along with drinking.

Teen Alcoholism: Statistics

American teenagers are using alcohol at a higher rate than ever before.

• About half of students between the ages of 12 and 19 drink alcohol at least once a month.
• Fourteen percent have been drunk at least once in the past year.
• Half of all high school seniors admit to drinking in the last 30 days.
• Thirty-two percent say that they were drunk at least once in the same amount of time.
• Eight percent of these teens report drinking more than five drinks in a row, which is the definition of binge drinking.
• Five percent of teenagers report that they get the alcohol from their family members.
• Those who drink are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than those who don’t drink at all.

Seeing these statistics should tell you that teenage alcoholism is in fact a problem. However, you must also know the symptoms of alcoholism to determine if you or someone you know is suffering from it.

Teen Alcoholism Symptoms

The symptoms of teen alcoholism can help determine whether you are suffering from alcoholism. Parents should also be aware of these symptoms. They include:

• Being sullen
• Unable to pay attention to conversations
• More likely to be having sex
• Failing grades
• Changes in appearances and hygiene
• Lying
• Stealing
• Verbal and physical abuse towards family members and friends

Teen Alcoholism Effects

The younger you are when you begin to drink, the more likely you will be to deal with alcoholism for the rest of your life. About 2,000 kids under the age of 21 die in alcohol-related car accidents every year, and alcohol is part of the equation in about half of all violent teen deaths. Suicide is also a higher risk for teenagers who drink compared with those who don’t. It is clear that the effects of teen alcoholism are serious and far-reaching.

Teen Alcoholism Treatment

If you are struggling with teen alcoholism, there is teen alcohol treatment help available. Get the medical treatment you need today by contacting our helpline. We can help you get the treatment you need to regain your life and be free from alcoholism.