Alcohol Substance Abuse in Teenagers
The Dangers of Underage Drinking
As you are most likely aware, in the United States, any consumption of alcohol of an individual under the age of 21 is strictly against the law. Drinking underage comes with serious legal consequences including mandatory community service, suspended license, fines and potential time in jail. Not only do underage drinkers put themselves in danger, but they also put others in jeopardy if they get behind the wheel or exhibit violent behavior.
Statistically, teens consume most of their alcohol by binge drinking. Meaning, they consume an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time, often with the goal of “getting drunk.”
What is Binge Drinking?
For many, there is something appealing about a “binge,” whether this be to appear “the life of the party”, or to let go of responsibility. There’s something appealing about it – until you have to face the consequences, and a lot of them. When it comes to alcohol, a binge can have its consequences – and can even be deadly for the drinker or those around him or her.
Binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dl. This typically happens when men drink five or more alcoholic beverages or women drink more than four alcoholic beverages in a period of two hours.
Binge Drinking in Illinois
The Illinois drinking statistics are surprising, with the state having a higher percentage of binge drinkers across virtually all demographics than the national averages. In the US, 22.1% of adult males and 12.2% of adult females exhibit the identifiers of binge drinking. In Illinois, the numbers are greater with 25.9% of men and 15.1% of women binge drinking.
Source: SAMHSA
Social Hosting
Social hosting refers to adults who either knowingly or unknowingly host underage drinking on their property. The danger of social hosting for adults is that it does not matter who supplied the alcohol, it’s all about the owner of the property the crime of underage drinking is being committed on.
In Illinois, the Social Host Law, which went into effect January 1, 2013, holds adults accountable for underage drinking that occurs in their home. If a minor who had been drinking at your house injures or kills someone, you are guilty of a Class 4 felony. This could result in a fine and/or jail time.
Source: Illinois.gov
Alcohol Use Disorders in Teens
While it can be difficult to determine whether a child is “just experimenting” or if they are struggling with drinking to the point of an alcohol use disorder, an alcohol use is an issue when the child is underage.
If you are concerned about you or someone you love, it’s best to get an assessment from a professional. If you are worried drinking habits are bordering an alcohol use disorder, consider the following:
- Has the individual’s drinking or hangovers interfered with their responsibilities, such as a job, school, home or sports?
- Has there been times when the individual has ended up drinking more or longer than they intended?
- Have they wanted to cut down or stop drinking, tried to, but couldn’t?
Have they more than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased their chances of getting hurt (such as driving, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex) or harming others?
Talking to Your Kids
Parents face a tough dilemma about substance use: we may want our children to abstain from alcohol and drug use but what do we do if they are not? Besides the effects of substance use on the developing brain, teens using substances may face very serious consequences.
Signs of Teen Drug or Alcohol Use
Figuring out if your child is using drugs or alcohol may pose a challenge. Many of the very early signs and symptoms could just be typical teen or young adult behavior. Many may also be signs of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety.
Alcohol FAQs
Frequently asked questions about alcohol use, health effects, brain development, and legal considerations.
How old do you have to be to legally drink alcohol in the U.S.?
- The minimum legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21 years. cdc.gov+2NHTSA+2
- This is driven by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which incentivized states to set the age at 21 by tying it to federal highway funding. LegalClarity+1
What happens if you drink alcohol before you’re 21?
Can drinking alcohol affect my brain development?
- Yes. The brain continues developing into the mid-20s, especially in key areas like decision-making, planning, and impulse control. NIAAA+1
- Research shows that underage and heavy drinking can lead to memory problems, blackouts, and structural changes in the brain during this developmental window. PubMed
Can alcohol make you gain weight?
Yes. Alcohol is high in calories — about 7 calories per gram. LifeMD+1
It also affects how the body metabolizes fat: when you drink, your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol over burning stored fat. councilonrecovery.org
Epidemiological studies show that alcohol intake can increase energy intake (due both to its calories and its appetite-stimulating effects). PubMed
How much alcohol is considered safe to drink?
- There is no amount of alcohol that is entirely risk-free for everyone; even low levels carry some risks. NIAAA
- For adults, health organizations define “low-risk” or “moderate” drinking, but these guidelines vary. (Also, avoiding alcohol is safest for teens, pregnant people, and those with certain health risks.) NIAAA+1
What are the side effects of drinking too much alcohol?
- Short-term effects: impaired judgment, coordination problems, blackouts (memory loss), vomiting, and alcohol poisoning. NIAAA
- Long-term effects: liver disease (fatty liver, cirrhosis), heart issues (cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia), brain damage, weakened immune system, and more. Mayo Clinic+1
Does drug and alcohol use affect your mood and mental health?
How does alcohol/drug use affect personal relationships?
- Excessive alcohol use can lead to relationship problems, including loss of trust, conflict, and social isolation. Mayo Clinic+1
- It may also increase risky behaviors or poor decision-making, which can further strain relationships. NIAAA
Can I drink alcohol on private property?
- Laws vary by state. While the national minimum purchase age is 21, some states allow exceptions (for example, underage consumption with parental supervision), but these are state-specific. Encyclopedia Britannica
- Regardless of legality, early drinking carries health risks — even in private settings. The CDC highlights that underage drinking increases risk of negative outcomes. cdc.gov
Should alcohol be legal at 18?
Research shows that raising the legal drinking age to 21 reduced fatal crashes among young people. PubMed+2Office of Justice Programs+2
A review found that MLDA-21 laws significantly decrease alcohol-related crashes, drinking, and “problematic drinking” in under-21s. PubMed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the minimum legal drinking age of 21 led to a median 17% reduction in alcohol-involved fatal crashes among teen drivers. cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the minimum legal drinking age of 21 led to a median 17% reduction in alcohol-involved fatal crashes among teen drivers. cdc.gov
What are the consequences for underage drinking?
For underage drinking: underage DUI (or DWI) is common, and zero-tolerance laws (very low or 0.02% BAC for under 21) apply in many states. dui.drivinglaws.org+1
Legal penalties for underage drinking can include fines, alcohol education programs, loss of driving privileges, and even jail time. FindLaw
For underage tobacco purchase: retailers can be fined or face other enforcement actions if they sell to someone under 21 because of the federal Tobacco 21 law. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1
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