During Alcohol Awareness Month in April, L.A. CADA wants you to know more about the public health problem of underage drinking in our communities. Wanting to be part of the crowd is a normal part of being young. Unfortunately, when the crowd is drinking alcohol, there are significant risks.
For one, the brain is still developing during the teenage and early adult years. Drinking during this time makes the brains of young people more vulnerable to alcohol than the adult brain. Another risk is drunk driving. In 2022, 22% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. Additionally, the earlier a person starts drinking, the more likely it is to develop serious problems with alcohol or drug addiction later in life. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that adults aged 21 or older who first used alcohol at age 14 or younger were more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol dependence than adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older.
Luckily, there are ways to fight back against peer pressure to drink:
L.A. CADA can help if you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol. Call us at (562) 906-2676.
During Alcohol Awareness Month in April, L.A. CADA wants you to know more about the public health problem of underage drinking in our communities. Prevention is important because when young people drink alcohol in excess, it actually alters their brain chemistry, making it difficult for the body and mind to develop in a healthy manner. And most people who identify as adult alcoholics say they began drinking during their teenage years.
Young people drink for many reasons. Alcohol is cheap and easily accessible. Teens may not view alcohol as a dangerous substance because they see adults drinking. Additionally, many youth drink to ease boredom, stress, anxiety, or depression. Of all the reasons young people drink, peer pressure is likely a leading cause.
A young person's identity is often molded by their social group, and by a desire to fit in and be part of a popular crowd. It's is a massive factor in whether or not a person will engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking. Peer pressure can be both overt and inadvertent.
Direct peer pressure is when one person encourages another to participate in an activity or social situation, such as drinking at a party. Peers may give a teenager a hard time if they are not drinking, and friends may even ostracize and socially isolate a person who decides not to drink. With a strong desire to fit it, it can be very difficult for a young person to 'just say no'.
Peer pressure can also be more subtle, such as social modeling. For example, a 'cool' group of students may be drinking alcohol, causing others to want to participate to fit in. The perception that "everyone is doing it" is a strong influence as being viewed as different or unpopular is an uncomfortable feeling for teens.
Social media plays a role, too. A study published by CBS News indicates that three-quarters of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 who saw their peers drinking on social media were more likely to then do the same. These images often portray people having a good time with alcohol, and surveyed teens who saw them were more than three times as likely to try alcohol. This form of digital peer pressure expands a person's peer circle and can make teens feel that they may be missing out if they are not also participating.
Luckily, there are ways to fight back against peer pressure to drink:
During the next weeks, L.A. CADA will be examining the issue of underage drinking in depth. But if you need help now, our agency can help; we're here for you at (562) 906-2676.
Alcohol Awareness Month in April is a good time to look at the issue of underage drinking. We know that drinking alcohol isn't allowed in America before the age of 21, so is it really that much of a problem?
It is. In fact, alcohol is the most widely used substance among America's youth. Young people ages 12 to 20 drink 3.0% of all alcohol consumed in the United States. And while they do drink less frequently than adults, when young people drink they drink more. Approximately 91% of all beverages containing alcohol consumed by youth are consumed in binge drinking episodes (three drinks for girls and three to five drinks for boys on one occasion). Here are some facts to know:
During the coming weeks, L.A. CADA will be examining the issue of underage drinking in depth. In the meantime, if you or someone you know has a drinking problem, our agency can help. Call us at (562) 906-2676.