Alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance

among young people in the United States.

Data from several national surveys document the use of alcohol among young people. The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days:

29% drank alcohol
14% binge drank
5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol
17% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol

Rates of current and binge drinking among high school students have generally been declining in recent decades. Although males historically had higher rates, in 2019, female high school students were more likely to drink alcohol and binge drink than male high school students.

According to the CDC, other national surveys find:

19% of young people aged 12 to 20 years reported drinking alcohol
11% reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
8% of 8th-grade students and 29% of 12th-grade students reported drinking alcohol during the past 30 days
4% of 8th-grade students and 14% of 12th-grade students reported binge drinking during the past two weeks

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. This observance was founded in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. (NCADD) to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder which claims the lives of more than 90,000 people each year.

How to Observe National Alcohol Awareness Month

Participate in the Alcohol-Free-Weekend
As part of National Alcohol Awareness Month, NCADD encourages the public to spend 72 hours without alcohol. If you and your family participate in this activity monitor symptoms of discomfort or cravings within the three days.
Start Conversations
Talk to friends and family about alcohol misuse and its consequences. If you’re a parent, teach your children about alcohol misuse and help them build coping skills. Tell them that stress, anger, loneliness, and peer pressure are a part of life and they don’t need to rely on alcohol to help cope.
Throw ‘Clean’ Parties
Use the month of April to throw alcohol-free, clean, and healthy parties for adults. Invite over friends, neighbors, and family to enjoy social gatherings without any trace of liquor. Serve mocktails, club soda, or alcohol-free beer to set an example.

If you or someone you know is struggling to manage their relationship with alcohol, resources can be found at: https://www.chccme.org/resources

What Families Need to Know & Talking to Your Kids

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