Facts About Teenage Binge Drinking

Poor Judgment

• Alcohol causes impaired judgment and can lead a teen to make poor decisions regarding sexual activity, relationships, education, money and other issues. Alcohol can also cause a teen to behave violently. In fact, a 2003 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that teens who engaged in binge drinking were four times more likely to have been in a physical fight in the past year than teens who did not drink.

Brain Damage

• The brains of teenagers are still developing. Binge drinking can stunt development and even cause long-term brain damage. The CDC survey revealed that teen binge drinkers achieve lower overall grades than their nondrinking peers. Binge drinking can also permanently impact the teenager's memory, according to WebMD.

Addiction

• According to the 2005 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, "Adults age 21 or older who had first used alcohol before age 21 were more likely than adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse (9.6% vs. 2.1%)." Alcoholism is a lifelong battle for many and is something teens need to be protected from, warns SADD, also known as Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Underage Drinking

• In addition to the health issues surrounding teenage binge drinking, it is illegal. Teens who are prosecuted for underage drinking may have difficulty getting into their college of choice or getting a job. The consequences are even greater if the teen is found driving under the influence of alcohol.