Underage Drinking Problem

By Jasmine Delane
According to Focus Adolescent Services, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are not only huge problems with adults; they are becoming a problem with a significant number of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20. A child who reaches the age of 21 without abusing alcohol is most likely never going to abuse it. The average age when individuals of youth first try alcohol is age 11 for males and age 13 for females. The average age at which teenagers begin drinking regularly is around 16-years-old.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s research says that adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at the legal age of 21. It has been estimated that over three million teenagers are alcoholics already and several million more have serious drinking problems that they cannot manage on their own.

The three leading causes of death for individuals that are 15 through 24 are: automobile accidents, homicides, and suicides and alcohol is a leading factor in all three of these. Dependence on alcohol is associated with several psychiatric problems too: depression, anxiety, and more.

The most common and effective way for adolescents to fight their addictive behavior is by going to self-help groups. The National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service provides a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), offering information to those who want it. If any individual would like more information, please go to www.focusas.com/Alcohol.html.