The Facts About Teen Substance Abuse Despite public efforts to inform Americans about the physical, social, and psychological risks associated with alcohol abuse, adolescent continue to drink alcohol at epidemic rates. These rates are alarming for a number of reasons, particularly given the number and severity of consequences associated with adolescent alcohol abuse. High levels of substance use have been associated poor health. Teens who abuse substances are more likely to experience anxiety, tension, low self-esteem, paranoid reactions, panic attacks, violent behavior and depression.
Substance abusing teens are also at high academic risk.
Together these outcomes result in less optimistic futures for teens and an economic drain on society. Despite these odds, as you will read, adults can and do help adolescents make healthy decisions about alcohol use. Parents and other caring adults have the opportunity to really make a difference. Teens who feel supported do make healthier choices regarding alcohol use. April is National Alcohol Awareness Month .