Table of Contents
Why is it bad to drink alcohol at a young age?
People who begin drinking early in life run the risk of developing serious alcohol problems, including alcoholism, later in life. They also are at greater risk for a variety of adverse consequences, including risky sexual activity and poor performance in school.
What happens to your body when you drink alcohol at a young age?
Drinking also creates a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Drinking during puberty can also change hormones in the body. This can disrupt growth and puberty. Too much alcohol at one time can cause serious injury or death from alcohol poisoning.
Can a 14 year old drink?
Advice for parents: If children do drink alcohol, they should not do so until they’re at least 15 years old. If 15 to 17 year olds drink alcohol, it should be rarely, and never more than once a week. If 15 to 17 year olds drink alcohol, they should never exceed the recommended adult weekly limit (14 units of alcohol).
Can you vape pregnant?
Using electronic cigarettes (vaping) during pregnancy isn’t safe. Most electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain nicotine, which permanently damages a baby’s developing brain and many other organs. E-cigarette liquids also contain chemicals, flavors and other additives that might not be safe for your baby.
What happens if you drink alcohol at a young age?
Drinking too much too often can lead to physical tolerance, alcohol dependence, addiction, and internal damage, especially to the liver. The younger a person is when they start consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction later in life.
Does underage drinking increase the crash risk for underage drinkers?
But underage drinkers need not drink heavily to be at high risk of experiencing negative consequences. The crash risk associated with driving after drinking is higher for youths than for adults at all blood alcohol content (BAC) levels (Hingson and Kenkel, 2004).
How does underage drinking affect the development of the brain?
The human brain continues to develop into a person’s early 20’s. There is concerning evidence from small-scale human brain imaging studies that underage drinking can harm the developing brain.
What is the safest level of alcohol drinking for young people?
The safest level of alcohol drinking for young people is not drinking. Be aware of the laws about serving alcohol to minors in your state or territory. Alcohol is widely used by young people. Binge drinking, drink driving, and unsafe sex can all result from engaging in risky drinking.