PARENTS OF TEENS:
More Risks To Teens
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Most of us are aware of the health dangers that teens can face from underage drinking, but what about the academic, intellectual, legal, and career risks? 9,10
Failing School or College
Alcohol interferes with the brain, making it harder for kids to learn and remember things in school.1,8,10 Teens who drink receive more D’s and F’s for grades, and are more likely to flunk out. 10,11
Premature Parenthood
Teens who binge on alcohol engage in more risky sexual behavior.10,11 That means if your teen drinks, he or she is at greater risk of becoming a parent before graduating high school or college.
Legal Woes
A teen can face legal consequences for 7
- Purchasing alcohol
- Having alcohol (being a “minor in possession”)
- Consuming alcohol
- Driving under the influence or while intoxicated (DUI or DWI)
Penalties could include fines, a revoked license, or even jail time. Local regulations determine whether alcohol citations stay on a teen’s record. Find your state’s rules at Alchohol Policy Information System. 7
Kicked Off Sports Teams
If caught drinking, your teen could face disciplinary action at high school or college. That could lead to suspension from classes and/or being barred from sports. 10
Fewer Future Job Options
Poor grades, disciplinary actions, and legal troubles will shrink your teen’s career choices, whether the goal was military, professional sports, a trade, advanced education, or other employment. 10
By drinking before the age of 21,
a teen faces more obstacles
to reaching his or her full potential. 2‐5,7
Learn more:
- Underage drinking poses many health risks
- Consequences for parents and the entire community
- Is your teen drinking? Warning signs
- Steps to take at home
- Steps your community can take
1. American Medical Association. “Physician Resources: Brain Damage Risks” Read more
2. GfK Roper Youth Report. Based on online survey conducted March 19, 2008-April 27, 2008. Read more
3. Hingson, Ralph W. and Wenxing Zha. “Age of Drinking Onset, Alcohol Use Disorders, Frequent Heavy Drinking, and Unintentionally Injuring Oneself and Others After Drinking” Pediatrics Vol. 123 No. 6 June 2009, pp. 1477-1484 (Published online May 26, 2009) Read more
4. Hingson, Ralph W. et al. “Age of Alcohol-Dependence Onset: Associations With Severity of Dependence and Seeking Treatment.” Pediatrics 2006; 118;e755-e763.
5. Miller JW, Naimi TS, Brewer RD, Jones SE. “Binge Drinking and Associated Health Risk Behaviors Among High School Students.” Pediatrics 2007 Jan;119(1):76-85. Read more
6. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Underage Drinking Research Initiative: Alcohol and the Developing Adolescent Brain. Read more
7. National Institutes of Health alcohol policy website. Read more
8. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Alcohol Alert #67. Read more
9. Resnick, Michael D, et al. “Protecting Adolescents From Harm: Findings From the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health,” JAMA, September 10, 1997. Vol 278, No. 10. Read more
10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking 2007. Read more
11. Windle, M. et al. “Alcohol use, suicidal behavior, and risky activities among adolescents.” J Res Adolesc. 1992; 2:317-330.
