Problem Drinking Among Teens & young adults

1. Problem Drinking Among Teens & young adults Francesca Atkinson

2. Drinking amongYoung adults (13-21) & Adults (21-25) • By the time teens reach age 14, nearly 50% report having had at least one alcoholic beverage & more than 20% have been drunk. • 20% of the alcohol consumed in the United States is consumed by underage drinkers. • The highest number of binge drinking was among young adults between the ages of 21 to 25 (30.3%) in 2010.

3. Binge Drinking • On average students who are involved in sororities, fraternities, college sports, and those who engage in other high-risk behaviors are more likely to engage in binge drinking (and other substances). • Students who are involved in community service, arts, or studies are less likely to binge drink. • Drinking rates are much higher among students who are enrolled full-time rather than part-time students.

4. Alcopops • Fruit flavored beverages containing 5 to 7% alcohol • Mike’s hard Lemonade, Bacardi silver, etc • 1/3 of teenage girls reported having tried “alcopops” • Popular among young drinkers because of: • Sweet taste and disguised taste of alcohol • Packaging and advertisements make these drinks look more like soda or energy drinks. Girls are more likely to drink “alcopops” than boys

5. Drinking among college students • In 2010, 1,825 of college students (between the ages of 18 and 24) deaths are due to alcohol related incidents. • 25% of students report poor grades, poor performance, missing classes as a result of their drinking. • 31% met the criteria for alcohol abuse • 6% met the criteria for dependence.

6. Potential causes for problem drinkingamong teens & young adults • Social construction of drinking norms: • Culture • Family • Social learning process: • Social groups: Peer pressure • False perceptions • The access to alcohol: • Liquor stores and bars near campuses

7. Alcohol: True Stories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVQMX4cGyow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaDscXIssIg