By Sophie Tuan
Although the legal drinking age is 21, 40% of people drink frequently while still underage. This is not a recent problem, either. Since before 1990, when 50% of high school seniors were found to have consumed a drink within the past 30 days, underage drinking has as always had a prevalence in the lives of adolescence. Although drinking levels have gone down throughout the years, underage alcohol consumption is still the main cause of over 4,300 annual deaths of people between the ages of 12 and 20.
Out of the 40% of underage children that drink, 25% have driven after drinking and another 25% engaged in binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks during the same occasion). Even those that did not drink remain at risk: 25% of teens have rode in a vehicle with a drunk driver—32% of those drunk driving incidents leading to fatal accidents. Surveys show that by the time teens reach adulthood at least 70% of them have consumed a minimum of one alcoholic beverage. Not only can underage drinking lead to fatalities due lowered inhibitions, but consuming alcohol at a young age can be detrimental to one’s health. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, the human brain does not fully develop until age 25. Therefore, those who drink before the minimum age put their health at major risk because their brain is not even close to fully mature.
The plethora of problems caused by underaged drinking include permanent cognitive disorders (such as AUD), addiction, susceptibility to mental health disorders (like anxiety and depression), alcohol poisoning, and unsafe behavior. Alcohol at a young age interferes with the brain’s natural development which can lead to issues with long-term memory, self control, and emotional regulation. Additionally, when intoxicated, the prefrontal cortex—responsible for weighing risk and consequence—is severely hindered, thus directly leading to risky behavior. In turn, underage drinkers are more likely to succumb to teen pregnancy, have a higher likelihood of contracting STDs, and a higher percentage of injuries due to dangerous activity.
The risks that underage drinking poses to teenage health are simply not worth the buzz that comes with a few drinks at a party. Consequences of underage drinking do not last only until 21—they last a whole lifetime. If you are struggling with underage drinking see a professional for help, talk to a trusted adult, or visit https://findtreatment.gov/ to help find a treatment facility.