Youth & Alcohol Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the United States (more than illicit drugs and tobacco). The American Medical Association states that approximately 11 million American youth consume alcohol, of which 11 percent are people between the ages 12 to 20. A 2007 survey conducted by the Youth Risk Behavior revealed that approximately 45 percent of all high school students drank some amount of alcohol, of which 26 percent binge drank and 11 percent drove under the influence of alcohol.

General Information

• Alcohol is absorbed into various cells, tissues and organs upon ingestion. The rate of absorption depends upon a few different factors, including the presence of food in the stomach, the presence of carbon dioxide in alcoholic beverages and its alcoholic content. BAC, or blood alcohol content, is the concentration, or amount of alcohol in the blood. It is measured in grams per deciliter (g/dL).

Alcohol and Traffic Accidents

• Youth under the influence of alcohol are at a great risk of highway injuries, vehicular deaths and car accidents. Alcohol affects coordination and lessens activity in the central nervous system. It blurs vision, impairs motor skills and physical control. According to statistics published by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children (8 to 15 years), youth (16 to 20 years) and young adults (21 to 24) in the United States. Furthermore, in 2007, 31 percent of young drivers (between the ages of 15 and 20) who were killed in traffic accidents had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.01 g/dL.

Alcohol and Sexual Behavior

• Alcohol greatly affects the sexual behavior of youth. Numerous studies have linked irresponsible drinking habits with high-risk sexual behaviors. Youth under the influence are more likely to engage in sexual intercourse without contraception, to have multiple partners and select partners who themselves are at high risk. HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and unintended pregnancy are the consequences of alcohol-related sexual behavior.

Alcohol and Academics

• Alcohol use and abuse in youth can result in poor school performance, missing classes and other disciplinary problems. According to the Bacchus Network, students who drank the most during an academic week typically got the lowest grades. "A" grade students, on average, had 3.1 drinks a week, while "D" and "F" grade students averaged 9.5 drinks a week.

Alcohol and Health

• Alcohol use in youth is a major health problem. It stunts sexual development and normal growth; brings on illnesses and hangovers; puts youth at a higher risk for homicide and suicide; and brings about changes in the normal development of the brain that result in long-term effects.