Alcohol use among adolescents

Abstract

Several ongoing national surveys, including the Monitoring the Future study, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, are investigating the drinking behaviors of adolescents in the United States. These studies have found that the majority of adolescents under the age of 18 have consumed alcohol, although the minimum legal drinking age is 21. Drinking rates may even have increased in recent years in some age groups. No substantial differences exist among various sociodemographic subgroups with respect to drinking rates, although alcohol consumption generally is lowest among African-Americans and highest among whites. Moreover, alcohol consumption increases sharply throughout adolescence. Various attitudinal and behavioral factors, such as religious involvement, truancy, and average grade level, also influence adolescents' drinking behaviors. Almost two-thirds of 12th graders who report consuming alcohol experience at least one alcohol-related problem. Most adolescents drink to experience the pleasurable effects of alcohol, such as having a good time with friends.

Figure 1

Percentage of 12th graders in various demographic subgroups who had used alcohol and had been drunk in the past 30 days. The students were surveyed in 1997 for the Monitoring the Future study. MSA = metropolitan statistical area. Intact family structure = students living with two parents. Broken family structure = students living with one or no parents.

Figure 2

Percentage of 12th graders with various behavioral or attitudinal characteristics who had used alcohol or had been drunk in the past 30 days. The students were surveyed in 1997 for the Monitoring the Future study. ¹For definiton of truancy, see table 2.

Figure 3

Trends in the percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who had been drunk during the past 12 months. The students were surveyed between 1991 and 1997 for the ongoing Monitoring the Future study.

Figure 4

Trends in the percentage of 12th graders who had drunk heavily (i.e., five or more drinks on one occasion) in the past 2 weeks, who disapproved of heavy drinking, and who perceived a great risk of harm from heavy drinking. The students were surveyed between 1975 and 1997 for the ongoing Monitoring the Future study.