Underage and Binge Drinking

Challenges and Opportunities

Alcohol affects youth differently than adults. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found a number of differences including:

  • Although youth drink less frequently than adults, they tend to drink larger quantities
  • The adolescent brain responds differently than adults, possibly leading to an elevated risk of binge drinking
  • Drinking in adolescence, and intense drinking are both risk factors for later alcohol dependence

To learn more about binge drinking click on this link.

Social hosting, allowing someone who is underage to drink at home, is also a problem. The risks mentioned above do not decrease in these situations and it is illegal. Click on this link to learn more.

Coalition Actions

Responsible beverage service (RBS) training can help in reducing underage drinking and promotes responsible use of alcohol.

SCAD Coalition has a plan to address social hosting and underage drinking in Sullivan County. Check out this presentation to view the implementation plan.

Binge drinking has many affects on human development, learn more here.

Social hosting contributes to underage drinking, learn more here.

Operation shoulder tap is a motivational tool that targets individuals who would buy alcohol for someone who is underage. More information can be found at this link.

Alcohol's Effects on the Body: Brain, Heart, Liver, Pancreas, Immune System, etc. More information can be found at this link.


Additional Resouces

7 Warning Signs for Underage Drinking
UnderageDrinking_MythsvsFacts.pdf