Adolescent drinking often begins between ages 11 and 13. Considering that alcohol is in many, if not most, U.S. homes, this is not surprising. However, no matter when and where alcohol use begins, almost all teen-agers have tried it at least once, and many drink just to get drunk. It wasn't unusual for a teen to drink a six-pack of beer or a bottle of wine every day. And while some adults consider beer less of a problem than hard liquor, the truth is one can of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a 1.5 ounce shot of whiskey.
Alcohol depresses the nervous system.
It appeals to people of all ages because a drink or two can relax them, often making them feel more comfortable and confident around others. Research shows that drinking also is associated with early sexual intercourse, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Once pregnant, a girl who continues to drink, not knowing she is pregnant, exposes her baby to greater risk of birth defects. Large amounts of alcohol can affect judgment, lead to risky and even violent behavior and slow down reaction time. The leading cause of death of U.S. young people ages 15 to 24 is alcohol-related car crashes.