About Teenage Drinking in America
Underage drinking is a major problem in America. This illegal behavior can lead to drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, drug use and unhealthy sexual activity. It is important to talk to your teen about drinking before he has the chance to indulge in dangerous behavior.
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Prevalence
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A 2005 study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 28 percent of teenagers reported consuming an alcoholic beverage in the past month. The same study found that 5.8 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds reported seeking treatment for problems with alcohol.
Drinking and Driving
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Teenage drinking and driving is a major problem, with over 1,600 teenagers killed in alcohol-related car crashes each year. Teenage drunk driving fatalities are disproportionately high. The teen's inexperience behind the wheel and tendency to binge drink can be a deadly combination.
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Alcohol and Sexual Behavior
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Alcohol use can encourage unhealthy sexual behavior in teens. Drinking loosens inhibitions, which makes it more likely that the teen will engage in unprotected sex. This behavior can result in pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted disease. The 2005 study found that 23.3 percent of teenagers who engaged in sexual intercourse did so after drinking.
Alcohol and Drug Use
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Teenage alcohol consumption can happen in an environment filled with peer pressure. The same goading that made the teen try alcohol can lead them to experiment with other, more dangerous drugs. Be sure your teenager knows how to just say no, be it to a beer or something even more dangerous.
Alcohol Poisoning
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Teens are likely to binge drink and their bodies are not used to metabolizing alcohol. This can lead to a dangerous condition known as alcohol poisoning. In extreme cases, the child can stop breathing or choke on his own vomit. Both of these occurrences have the potential to cause death.
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