Underage Drinking
What is it?
- When anyone under the legal age of 21 consumes any alcoholic beverage
Statistics as of 2011
- 39% drank some amount of alcohol
- 22% drank wanting to get drunk
- 8% drove after drinking
- 24% rode with a driver who had been drinking
Consequences
- School problems like failing grades and skipping school
- Social problems such as fighting
- Legal problems such as hurting someone while driving drunk
- Physical problems like hangovers and sickness
- Alcohol related injuries and car crashes
Time to Stop
- Tell people you know that you want to stop
- Avoid situations where you would want to drink
- Give up drinking altogether, or gradually reduce drinking
- Benefit from the rewards of living without alcohol
Withdrawl
- Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms such as: poor concentration, being tired, difficulty sleeping or bad dreams, feeling shaky, and being annoyed easily, as these are all normal
- Any physical withdrawal symptom such as: sweating, nausea, headache, and vomiting are signs of heavy drinking
- Withdrawal symptoms like: confusion, fever, and hallucinations should be reported immediately to your doctor
Help
US Department of Health and Human Services- (1-800-662-4357)
Drug or Alcohol Recovery Helpline- (1-888-299-5213)
Drug or Alcohol Recovery Helpline- (1-888-299-5213)