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:

• Develop a plan for handling peer pressure when it arises. Think ahead of things you can say, such as "I'm all about health', so you won't be caught off guard.
• Keep busy with activities that don't encourage drinking, such as sports and exercise.
• Use your parents as an excuse; for example, tell your friends that drinking isn't worth the consequences.
• Maintain healthy relationships with other peers who don't drink and won't pressure you to do so.
• Be aware that others aren't drinking as much as they say they are; social perceptions are often skewed.
• If you do find yourself at a party where there is drinking, ask for soda or fruit juice so you are drinking something. Others may be less likely to pressure you if they see you with a drink.
• Talk with your parents about drinking and how to handle difficult situations.
• Understand the risks and potential dangers of underage drinking, and make a decision to stay sober and hang out with others who will do the same.

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:

• Develop a plan for handling peer pressure when it arises. Think ahead of things you can say, such as "I'm all about health", so you won't be caught off guard.
• Keep busy with activities that don't encourage drinking, such as sports and exercise.
• Use your parents as an excuse; for example, tell your friends that drinking isn't worth the consequences.
• Maintain healthy relationships with other peers who don't drink and won't pressure you to do so.
• Be aware that others aren't drinking as much as they say they are; social perceptions are often skewed.
• If you do find yourself at a party where there is drinking, ask for soda or fruit juice so you are drinking something. Others may be less likely to pressure you if they see you with a drink.
• Talk with your parents about drinking and how to handle difficult situations.
• Understand the risks and potential dangers of underage drinking, and make a decision to stay sober and hang out with others who will do the same.

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:

• Excessive drinking kills 4,300 underage Americans every year; 75% of them are male
• 16% of people who die from alcohol are under the age of 35
• Young people who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that lead to injuries and other health conditions.
• Students who drink are more likely to experience social, academic, and legal issues
• 08% of young people drove a vehicle after consuming alcohol and 20% rode with a driver who had consumed alcohol
• Teens who drink experience slower brain development -- which may cause problems with memory
• Adolescents tend to drink if the adults around them drink or binge drink alcohol
• People who began drinking before the age of 15 are more likely to abuse alcohol or develop alcohol dependence later in life than those who abstained from drinking until the age of 21

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.