Teenage drinking is illegal and a major health concern. Teenage drinking is a problem in most communities and comes with serious consequence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that youths ages 12 to 21 years account for 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States, and 90 percent of that is from binge drinking. Consequences of teenage drinking include legal problems, health risks and alcoholism, among others.
Legal Problems
The legal drinking age is 21 in the United States, and teenagers face possible jail time if not obeying the law. Alcohol impairs judgment and bodily functions that makes teenagers more susceptible to risky behavior. Statistics show that 12.8 percent of traffic accidents are alcohol related, and 40 percent of those traffic accidents relate to teenage drunk driving, according to Alcohol Alert. Youths who drink alcohol are also more likely to experience social problems that include fighting and participating in other illegal activities.
Health Risks
Many health problems result from teenage drinking. The body is still developing in the teenage years, and alcohol can cause serious damage to bodily organs and the brain. New York Times Health states that heavy drinking as a teenager can cause growth effects, long-term cognitive damage and neurologic injury, among other severe health problems. Chances of liver damage and life-threatening illnesses increase when drinking alcohol while the body is still developing.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that has genetic, physical, psychological and cultural influences. The CDC states that youths who drink alcohol by age 15 years are five times more likely to develop alcoholism in their later years compared with those who begin drinking at age 21 years. Both physical and psychological problems can develop from alcoholism, leading to severe consequences on the body.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is a risk factor among teenagers who drink. Binge Drinking is a problem among teenagers and a serious influence on alcohol poisoning. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include unconsciousness, low blood sugar, nausea, difficulty breathing and possibly death. According to the CDC, in 2005, there were more than 145,000 visits to emergency departments by teenagers for alcohol-related conditions and injuries.
