Safety Risks of Teen Drinking

Alcohol exposes youth to many safety risks.

Kids’ bodies and brains are not ready to handle alcohol. It affects their judgment and behaviors, which can lead to serious problems for themselves, their peers, and their community.

Additionally, teens are more likely to binge drink, which is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks per occasion for boys and 4 or more drinks per occasion for girls.

Alcohol exposes youth to safety risks

Kids’ bodies and brains are not ready to handle alcohol. It affects their judgment and behaviors, which can lead to serious problems for themselves, their peers, and the community.

Additionally, teens are more likely to binge drink, which is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks per occasion for boys and 4 or more drinks per occasion for girls.

InjurIES and accidents

Alcohol affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls coordination and balance. Drinking makes it more likely that a child will be injured from a fall or burn, or even drown.

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Since alcohol clouds judgment, teens may decide to drive after drinking or ride with a driver who’s been drinking—which could result in serious injuries or fatalities. If your child is the driver, they’ll likely face jail time.

Results from a statewide survey found that, in the past 30 days, nearly 15% of Idaho students ages 12-18 had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, and 11% had ridden with a driver who had used marijuana. Additionally, nearly 3% of all student drivers reported that they had driven after drinking alcohol or using marijuana in the past month.

Sexual activity and assault

Kids who drink are more likely to engage in unplanned and unprotected sexual activity. Alcohol also increases the likelihood of a teen committing or being the victim of a sexual assault.

On college campuses across the nation, almost 100,000 incidents of alcohol-related sexual assaults and date rapes are reported each year.

Suicide

Alcohol misuse is thought to be a risk factor for youth suicide.The relationship between alcohol and suicide is complex—alcohol’s effect on the developing teen brain may add to the depressive symptoms a child is already feeling, or a teen who is experiencing suicidal ideation may turn to alcohol for relief.

InjurIES and accidents

Alcohol affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls coordination and balance. Drinking makes it more likely that a child will be injured from a fall or burn, or even drown.

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Since alcohol clouds judgment, teens may decide to drive after they’ve been drinking or ride with a driver who’s been drinking, which could result in serious injuries or fatalities. If your child is the driver, they’ll likely face jail time.

Results from a statewide survey found that, in the past 30 days, nearly 15% of Idaho students ages 12-18 had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, and 11% had ridden with a driver who had used marijuana. Additionally, nearly 3% of all student drivers reported that they had driven after drinking alcohol or using marijuana in the past month.

Sexual activity and assault

Kids who drink are more likely to engage in unplanned and unprotected sexual activity. Alcohol also increases the likelihood of a teen committing or being the victim of a sexual assault.

On college campuses across the nation, almost 100,000 incidents of alcohol-related sexual assaults and date rapes are reported each year.

Suicide

Alcohol misuse is thought to be a risk factor for youth suicide. The relationship between alcohol and suicide is complex—alcohol’s effect on the developing teen brain may add to the depressive symptoms a child is already feeling, or a teen who is experiencing suicidal ideation may turn to alcohol for relief.