Two paths to teen binge drinking
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
Researchers at Yale University and Oberlin College in Ohio have identified two pathways leading teens toward heavy drinking. These pathways are related, but not the same.
Dr. Meghan Morean of Oberlin surveyed 295 teens about their drinking in February of 2010. The earlier in life teens had their first drink, the more likely they were to binge drink, defined as five or more drinks on an occasion. Getting drunk at an early age also played an important role in heavy drinking:'
“Having your first drink at an early age, and quickly moving to drinking to the point of getting drunk, are associated with underage alcohol use and with binge drinking.”
Morean advises parents to talk with their teens about the dangers of heavy drinking.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.