Alcohol Prevention
The misuse and abuse of alcohol affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans both in the short and long term. Teens and young adults in particular are at risk because of their developing brains.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
In 2020, 50.0% of people aged 12 or older (or 138.5 million people) used alcohol in the past month6
Among the 138.5 million people who were current alcohol users, 61.6 million people (or 44.4%) were classified as binge drinkers and 17.7 million people (28.8% of current binge drinkers and 12.8% of current alcohol users) were classified as heavy drinkers6
The percentage of people who were past month binge alcohol users was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (31.4%) compared with 22.9% of adults aged 26 or older and 4.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 176
The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 139.7 million Americans age 12 or older were past month alcohol users, 65.8 million people were binge drinkers in the past month, and 16 million were heavy drinkers in the past month6
Approximately 14.5 million people age 12 or older had an alcohol use disorder6
Excessive alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of stroke, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, cancer and other serious health conditions. It also can also lead to risk-taking behavior, including driving while impaired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver daily.15
Talk. They Hear You.
SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You aims to reduce underage drinking and substance use among youths under the age of 21. The substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
Watch the videos below.
Further Research
Realizing a family member or friend needs help for alcohol abuse problem can be devastating. But the SAPC has the resources to help you navigate this uncertain journey!
Here are resources to help guide you on ways to start conversations about alcohol use, addiction and rehabilitation.
Ask. Listen. Learn.
Ask, Listen, Learn. teaches kids the value in saying “YES” to a healthy lifestyle and “NO” to underage drinking through basic neuroscience and skills-based learning. It consists of seven animated videos and seven downloadable lesson plans.
CDC Alcohol and Public Health
The CDC’s list of links for Other CDC Alcohol-related programs, Federal and International Agencies and Organizations, and professional and non-profit organizations to learn more about alcohol abuse.
You for Youth
Y4Y focuses on learning for every staff member at every level of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and provides Drug and Alcohol Prevention Resources.
Stop Underage Drinking
The federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) works with state, territorial, and local governments and organizations to reduce and prevent underage drinking and its consequences. ICCPUD’s website, StopAlcoholAbuse.gov, provides the latest research and resources to support underage drinking prevention and related issues.
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors
The NASADAD provides information about organizations that maintain a strong focus on alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse prevention.
Responsibility.org – Prevent Underage Drinking
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision-making regarding beverage alcohol.