Report on Teenage Drinking

Though laws regarding alcohol have been present in the United States almost since the nation's inception, many of our nation's social concerns still stem from alcohol use. Of these sociological concerns, one modern issue revolves around the topic of teenage drinking, or the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal age to purchase the substance (21). It has been alleged by some that teenage alcohol consumption may lead to an increase in the frequency of risky behaviors, such as dangerous driving, and promiscuous, unprotected sexual activity.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly one million high school students across the United States are "binge drinkers," meaning that on each occasion, the teen(s) labeled as such consume more than four alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, three-quarters of high school seniors have consumed alcohol, as well as two-thirds of tenth graders, and two-fifths of eighth graders. Perhaps most tragic of all, 5,000 young people die every year as a result of alcohol consumption, whether from automobile crashes, miscellaneous accidents, or homicide.

Psychological effects as a result of teenage drinking have also been reported. Long-term memory impairment, depression, anxiety without alcohol, and the development of Oppositional Defiant Disorder have all been considered possible results of drinking before age 21. Furthermore, Antisocial Personality Disorder has been reported, resulting in yet another additional possible ramification of alcohol consumption. Even more disturbing, there have been claims that "alcohol use among adolescents has also been associated with considering, planning, attempting, and completing suicide."