Teens don't just drink. They drink to excess.
More than 8 percent of eighth graders, 16 percent of sophomores, and 24 percent of seniors report recent binge drinking (5+ drinks on the same occasion).
Statistics show that the majority of current teen drinkers got drunk in the previous month. That includes 50 percent of the high school sophomores who drink and 65 percent of the high school seniors who drink.
Adolescents, age 12 to 17, who use alcohol are more likely to report behavioral problems, especially aggressive, delinquent and criminal behaviors, according to findings of a new study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The new report, Patterns of Alcohol Use Among Adolescents and Associations with Emotional and Behavioral Problems, concludes that there is a strong relationship between alcohol use among youth and many emotional and behavioral problems, including fighting, stealing, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, skipping school, feeling depressed, and deliberately trying to hurt or kill themselves. These findings are based on adolescent self-reporting of behavioral/emotional problems that occurred the past six months.
The study further revealed that adolescent alcohol users -- regardless of whether they are heavy, binge, or light drinkers -- report they are more likely to use illicit drugs than non-drinkers. Adolescents who were current heavy drinkers were 16 times more likely than non-drinkers to have used an illicit drug in the past month. Light drinkers were eight times more likely to have used an illicit drug in the past month than non-drinking adolescents.
A Cry for Help?
"Underage drinking -- even so-called light drinking -- is dangerous, illegal, and must not be tolerated," said SAMHSA Administrator Nelba Chavez, Ph.D. "This study points out that the effects of underage alcohol use extend far beyond 'drinking and driving.' Parents need to know that alcohol use can also be a warning sign or a cry for help that something is seriously wrong in a child's life." Dr. Chavez continued, "If parents, counselors, teachers, coaches and other caring adults reach children early enough, they can intervene before troubling behaviors lead to serious emotional disturbances, illicit drug use, school failure, family discord, violence, or even suicide. With 10.4 million current underage drinkers, the magnitude of the problem is clear. Unfortunately, the rates of underage drinking have not changed significantly since 1994.Other findings in the report include: Adolescents who reported that they drank heavily were four times more likely to commit theft outside the home than non-drinking adolescents; heavy drinkers among 12 to 17-year-olds were three times more likely to report deliberately trying to hurt or kill themselves than the adolescent non-drinkers; and adolescent heavy drinkers were three times more likely to report having gotten into a physical fight than non-drinkers. I think we mast stop this. As for my spirits like vodka, beer, brandy should generally prohibit from manufacture.
Personally, I not drink атв smoke. And From 6 years going to sport. And advise you.
