Across the United States, 34% of people aged 12 to 20 have or do participate in underage drinking, a study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH) found.
Despite this alarming statistic, not enough is done to prevent alcohol abuse in high schoolers. According to the NIH, “Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and can cause them enormous health and safety risks.”
A high risk arises when underage drinking turns into binge drinking, and it often does. A study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that “More than 90% of all beverages containing alcohol consumed by youth are consumed through binge drinking.”
Binge drinking is characterized as consuming more than five drinks (for men) or four drinks (for women) in a single occasion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The NIH said that binge drinking presents a variety of risks, including “mental confusion, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting, seizures, trouble breathing and dulled responses.”
Despite the risks associated with binge drinking, students are not provided with enough resources or information to know its risks. More education would help prevent students from over-consuming alcohol and reduce the risk of alcohol poisoning.
The reality is, underage drinking is common among high schoolers. Instead of simply telling students not to participate, more should be done to educate students. One way this could be done is through more extensive education in health classes about the risks of over-consuming alcohol and steps to take if a peer does so. Also, there should be more regular reminders throughout the school year– showing educational videos during advisory would be one option for this.
If one is suffering from binge drinking or alcoholism, they can call the SAMHSA 24 hour national helpline at 1-800-662-4357. One can also attend counseling sessions and help groups. Additionally, one can talk to their healthcare provider to try and receive a prescription to reduce alcohol cravings.
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