Alcohol Abuse
Life, Pressure and Substance Abuse
As a young person, you are gaining independence and making more and more choices for yourself. You are defining who you are, what you care about, and how you want others to see you. It's an exciting time, but a difficult one too. Pressure can seem to come from every direction. Dealing with the stress of school work, problems at home, and relationships with friends can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to manage or escape from all of this pressure. Using drugs or alcohol can make you feel like you fit in socially, or like you can have more control over your life. In reality, the opposite is true. In addition to physical risk, substance abuse will often complicate your life and ad to your list of problems.
Pressure to drink is especially strong for young people. Because drinking alcohol is often a social activity, you may feel that the decision not to drink will isolate you from friends. Popular culture makes it seem like everyone is drinking, all the time. But SADD tells us that only about half of high school seniors say they've ever gotten drunk. If you choose not to drink, you are not alone. And whether your friends drink or don't drink, they should respect you for who you are and the choices you make.
What are the Risks?
Alcohol consumption can be very harmful to the body, particularly in teenagers. But the risks go far beyond the immediate physical effects of alcohol. To learn about the negative effects of alcohol on the body, as well as the link between fatal car crashes, high-risk sexual behavior, and underage drinking, click here.
There is Help
Dealing with alcohol use and addiction can be a long, difficult process, but you don't need to do it alone. For advice and support for you, a friend, or a family member, click here.
If you need IMMEDIATE help, call:
Girls & Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
Just the Facts
More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics. For more statistics about alcohol consumption, click here.