Risks
The more you know about the risks associated with youth drinking, the more you can educate the youth you care for.
Teens who drink are more likely to:
- use drugs
- have academic problems
- suffer injury or death
- engage in risky sexual activity
- experience changes in brain development that may have lifelong effects
- have mental health problems
Warning Signs
Not sure if a youth you are caring for is drinking alcohol? Here are some of the warning signs to look out for:
- Behavioral indicators of drunkenness, unusual/uncharacteristic behavior, slurred speech, coordination problems, and memory and/or concentration problems.
- Changes in school performance. Alcohol use is often linked to poor academic performance.
- Social indicators like changes in friend groups or disinterest in activities that the young person once enjoyed.