Alcohol Abuse / Binge Drinking

 Facts:

• Alcohol kills 6.5 times more YOUTH than all other illicit drugs combined (MADD.org)!
• Drinking makes you more likely to be a victim of violent crime, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery (National Research Council).

• Eight teens die from alcohol related crashes every day (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
  

Consequences:

• There's a reason the legal drinking age is 21!  Brain development continues until your early 20's.  Drinking before this time can damage the growth of your muscles, bones, and organs (Dees, Srivastava & Hiney, 2001).  It can also damage your social and emotional development by impairing the areas of your brain that control learning, memory, behaviors and good judgment (drawyourline.com).  This puts you at risk for physical injury, mental illness, substance use and addiction, and school failure (NIH, 2007)! 
• Underage consumption, being a minor in possession of alcohol, using a fake ID to obtain alcohol, or getting a DUI as a minor can have many serious consequences.  Your license can be suspended for up to two years, a Class 1 misdemeanor criminal record, jail time, fines and significant court costs, education classes, community service, an Ignition Interlock Device attached to your vehicle, and other penalties at the discretion of the court.
• Think asking someone older to buy or sell you alcohol isn't a big deal?  Think again!  You can both get in trouble!  A minor who asks someone over 21 years old to purchase, sell, or furnish them with alcohol can result in your license being suspended for up to 2 years, a Class 3 misdemeanor criminal record, jail time, fines and significant court costs, and other penalties at the discretion of the court.

***Laws vary from state to state***

Getting Help:        

• Tell someone if someone close to you has an alcohol problem or if you think you have a problem with drinking.  You don't have to go it alone!  
• More than a million of teenagers have a serious drinking problem they cannot control on their own.  It is okay to get help!
  

Next Steps:

• Find healthy alternatives to drinking. Most individuals drink because they are bored. Find activities to replace alcohol such as sports or recreation activities, learning to play an instrument, or going to the movies. There are many activities to do that don’t involve alcohol. 
• Surround yourself with friends who do not pressure you to drink alcohol.