Alcohol also known as: Booze, Brew, Liquor, and Sauce
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that doctors diagnose when someone’s drinking causes them distress or harm. AUD ranges from mild to severe.
Many people are surprised to learn what counts as a drink. The amount of liquid in one’s glass, can, or bottle is not necessarily equal to how much alcohol is in their beverage. In the United States, one "standard" drink (or one alcoholic drink-equivalent) contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is the amount of alcohol found in::
- 12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol)
- 8 ounces of malt liquor – beer with a high alcohol content (about 7% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of table wine (about 12% alcohol)
- 1.5 ounces (a “shot”) of liquor, like gin, rum, vodka, tequila, or whiskey (about 40% alcohol)
No level of drinking is safe or legal for anyone under age 21, but unfortunately many teens drink—and they often drink multiple drinks, which is very dangerous.
When teens drink, alcohol affects their brains in the short-term– but repeated drinking can also impact it down the road, especially as their brains grow and develop.
Short-Term Consequences of Intoxication (being “drunk”):
- An intoxicated person has a harder time making good decisions.
- A person is less aware that his/her behavior may be inappropriate or risky.
- A person may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, including drinking and driving, sexual activity (like unprotected sex) and aggressive or violent behavior.
- A person is less likely to recognize potential danger.
Long-Term Consequences as the Teen Brain Develops:
-
Research shows that drinking during the teen years could interfere with normal brain development and change the brain in ways that:
- Have negative effects on information processing and learning.
- Increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.
People who drink are affected even before they show signs of being drunk, especially when it comes to decision-making abilities.
At first, alcohol causes people to feel upbeat and excited. But this is temporary and they shouldn’t be fooled.
If drinking continues, the effects on the body—and the potential risks—multiply. Here’s what can happen:
- Inhibitions and memory: People may say and do things that they will regret later, or possibly not remember at all. Inhibitions are lost - leading to poor decision making.
- Decision-making skills: When they drink, individuals are more likely to be impulsive. They may be at greater risk for having an alcohol-related traffic crash, getting into fights, or making unwise decisions about sex.
- Coordination and physical control: When drinking leads to loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision, even normal activities can become more dangerous.
- Death: Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to death. If people drink too much, they will eventually get sleepy and pass out. Reflexes like gagging and breathing can be suppressed. That means they could vomit and choke, or stop breathing completely.
And finally, it’s easy to misjudge how long alcohol’s effects last. Alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, impairing judgment and coordination for hours.
There are increased risks and a range of negative consequences related to underage drinking. It is dangerous because it:
- Causes many deaths.
On average, alcohol plays a role in the deaths of 4,358 young people under age 21 every year. These deaths include:- 1,580 deaths from car crashes
- 1,269 from murders
- 245 from alcohol poisoning, falls, burns, and drowning
- 492 from suicides
- Causes many injuries.
Drinking alcohol can cause young people to have accidents and get hurt. In 2011 alone, about 188,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for injuries related to drinking alcohol.
- Increases the risk of physical and sexual assault.
Young people under age 21 who drink are more likely to carry out or be the victim of a physical or sexual assault after drinking than others their age who do not drink.
- Can lead to other problems.
Drinking can cause teens to have trouble in school or with the law. Teens who drink are more likely to use other drugs than teens who don’t.
- Can lead to developing alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that doctors diagnose when someone’s drinking causes them distress or harm. In 2017 about 443,000 young people ages 12-17 had AUD. Even more important, the younger the use of alcohol the more likely one is to develop AUD later in life.
- Increases the risk of cancer.
Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing various cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, and breast.
What is alcohol poisoning (or alcohol overdose) and how can I help someone who may be suffering from it?
Alcohol poisoning (also called alcohol overdose) occurs when there is so much alcohol in a person’s bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support systems—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down.
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty remaining conscious
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Trouble with breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Clammy skin
- Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)
- Extremely low body temperature
- Death.
If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 and get medical help immediately. Cold showers, hot coffee, or walking will NOT reverse the effects of alcohol overdose and could actually make things worse.
An alcohol blackout is a gap in a person’s memory for events that took place while he or she was drinking. When a blackout happens, a person’s brain does not create memories for these events as they are happening. For people who have had a blackout, it can be frightening to wake up the next day and not remember what they did the night before.
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance by teens. However, teens’ alcohol use continues to drop. In 2019, rates of past-year alcohol use by students in 10th and 12th grades were at a 5-year low.
Rates of binge drinking among students in 10th and 12th grades were also at a 5-year low. (Binge drinking is defined as drinking five or more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks.) According to the Monitoring the Future study, 14.4 percent of students in 12th grade reported binge drinking in 2019, compared to 19.4 percent in 2014. Among students in 10th grade, 8.5 percent reported binge drinking compared to 12.6 percent in 2014.1
The chart below shows the percentage of teens who used alcohol in 2019.
Swipe left or right to scroll.
| Drug | Time Period | 8th Graders | 10th Graders | 12th Graders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Lifetime | 24.50 | 43.10 | 58.50 |
| Past Year | 19.30 | 37.70 | 52.10 | |
| Past Month | 7.90 | 18.40 | 29.30 | |
| Daily | 0.20 | 0.60 | [1.70] |
* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.
For more statistics on teen drug use, see NIDA’s Monitoring the Future study.
1 National Institute on Drug Abuse. Vaping of marijuana on the rise among teens [Press release]. Rockville, MD. December 2019. Available at https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2019/12/vaping-marijuana-rise-among-teens.
Underage drinking is drinking alcohol before a person turns age 21, which is the minimum legal drinking age in the United States. Underage drinking is a serious problem, as you may have seen from your friends’ or your own experiences. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance of abuse among young people in America, and drinking when you’re underage puts your health and safety at risk.
Teens drink for a variety of reasons. Some teens want to experience new things. Others feel pressured into drinking by peers. And some are looking for a way to cope with stress or other problems. Unfortunately, drinking will only make any problems a person has already worse, not better.
Videos
-
Animated Infographic: Monitoring the Future 2018 Survey Results
Monitoring the Future (MTF) is an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders measuring drug, alcohol, and cigarette use.
-
Why Teens are Attracted to Vaping
Dr. Nora Volkow explores why teens may be attracted to vaping – and what they are vaping.
-
Animated Infographic: Monitoring the Future 2017 Survey Results
Monitoring the Future (MTF) is an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.
-
Animated Infographic: Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results
The annual survey measures teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and attitudes.
Games
-
Drugs + Your Body
It isn't pretty—see the ugly truth about how drug abuse can affect the body.
-
Genetics and the Brain
Explore the brain's pathways and see what happens when drugs interfere.
-
National Drug IQ Challenge
Challenge yourself—test your knowledge of drugs and drug abuse.
-
Drugs of Abuse
Discover what happens to the brain on drugs.
Blog Posts
A “Wearable” That Measures Alcohol Intake
This device could help a person make safe choices while—and after—drinking. Read More »
Fewer Teens Are Smoking and Drinking
The percentage of teens who are smoking and drinking is dropping, and that’s great news for teens’ health! Read More »
Pop Quiz: What Do You Know About Safe Driving?
Want to be a safer driver? Here’s a start: Take our quiz to see how much you know about drugged, drunken, and distracted driving. Read More »
Publications
-
Drugs: SHATTER THE MYTHS
Answers teens’ most frequently asked questions about drugs and abuse with scientific facts and engaging images.
-
Drug-Related Hospital Emergency Room Visits
Provides national estimates on drug-related visits to hospital emergency departments and makes comparisons with previous years’ data. Discusses illicit drugs, alcohol and other drugs, and prescription drugs.
-
Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
Presents research-based principles of adolescent substance use disorder treatment; covers treatment for a variety of drugs including, illicit and prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
-
DrugFacts: Lessons from Prevention Research
Describes principles important to consider when developing drug abuse prevention programs and discusses issues relevant for family, school, and community settings.
-
DrugFacts: High School and Youth Trends
Describes trends in high school and youth drug abuse and addiction, with an emphasis on marijuana, cigarettes, prescription drugs, alcohol and ecstasy.
Chat Day Transcripts
Infographics
Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey Results: Overall Findings
Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey Results: Vaping
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2018
Monitoring the Future 2018 Survey Results
Drugged Driving
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2017
Monitoring the Future 2017 Survey Results
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2016
Monitoring the Future 2016 Survey Results
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2015
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2014
Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results
Monitoring the Future 2013 Survey Results: College and Adults
Drug and Alcohol Use - A Significant Risk Factor for HIV
Cite this article
The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. (). Alcohol. Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/alcohol on
Real Questions from Real Teens
Sometimes it feels like you're the only one who doesn't know—but your friends often have the same questions as you. See what other teens are asking about drugs and drug abuse.
