Some studies done by NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) have shown the following, 2012
Prevalence in 8th graders:
51.7% have tried alcohol
43.1% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year
25.1% have been drunk
15.2% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes
Prevalence in 10th graders:
70.6% have tried alcohol
63.7% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year
48.9% have been drunk
25.6% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes
1.9% have been daily drinking for at least 1 month at some point in their lives
Prevalence in 12th graders:
80% have tried alcohol
73.8% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year
62.3% have been drunk
30.8% binge drank in the past 2 weeks
3.6% use alcohol daily
Here are some statistics on drinking in adolescence. These figures do not include college drinking stats. I recently had a college student tell me that she could not give up drinking. "It just wasn't her." Having fun is equated with drinking in many instances. You can't "party" without alcohol. It is true and the above stats point out that not all teens are drinking and most are not drinking all the time. But for those that are this is a significant problem. Consensual sex, date rape and rape are more common when drinking is involved. Teenagers run the risk of addiction at this early age. There is also certainly the issue of driving under the influence.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know. My attention here is as parents what is your role? I believe that at an early age likely in early middle school you need to start talking to your teens about drinking; the dangers, risks etc. Don't make this a weekly thing but keep the lines of communication open. As you kids enter high school help them problem solve what to do when they find themselves at an event where there is drinking. Don't lecture but help them, problem solve. Tell them you will never condone drinking but if they drink they are to tell you. To many parents use the philosophy of don't ask don't tell. They are never to drink and drive or to get into a car with anyone that has had a drink. If they call you for a ride they won't be "in trouble". When my daughter was a teenager she seldom drank but as a senior she did on a few occasions and would tell me prior to the party that there would be drinking and what the plan was to be safe. She knew I did not condone drinking but I also needed to know.
The biggest issue I find concerning parents of teenagers that are drinking is that parents bury their head in the sand. Kids will tell me this is what I do to sneak into the house and my parents don't suspect I have been drinking. I don't think parents have to be hyper vigilant, just observant and keep the lines of communication open. It may have become a standard that kids will drink but I am unwilling to accept that standard and think as parents we need to do our part with our children to help change the tide.
Sherri
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