More Teens Binge Drinking and Believing the Habit to be “Normal”

Posted on June 7, 2011

While numbers of teens trying alcohol in some states have remained steady in recent years, an alarming trend is surfacing that has parents, school officials and health experts deeply concerned.

Teen Use of Social Networking Sites May Be Linked to Underage Drinking

Posted on May 19, 2011

Teen behavior related to social networks and alcohol is complicated, but a recent study suggests that teens who are alcohol drinkers also tend to spend higher amounts of time on social network sites than their peers who don’t drink.

Teens Who Drink Spend More Time on the Internet

Posted on May 9, 2011

Is your teen spending too much time on the computer? New research has found that teens who drink alcohol spend more time on their computers for recreational use (such as social networking and downloading music) than their peers who don’t drink.

Alcohol Marketing Campaigns Influence Teen Drinking, Brand Recognition

Posted on May 3, 2011

A new study on the effectiveness of alcohol marketing has found that adolescents who are exposed to alcohol ads are at an increased risk of alcohol consumption and binge drinking, which could lead to alcohol-related problems later in life. About 40 percent of U.S. high-school students drink alcohol, and 25 percent engage in binge drinking (having 5 or more drinks in one sitting)

Home May Be a Top Danger Zone for Young Teens and Alcohol

Posted on April 2, 2011

More and more pre-teens are getting alcohol without even leaving the comfort of home, says recent research.

As many as 700,000 children in the 12 to 14-years age bracket in the U.S. have experimented with alcoholic beverages they acquired at home.

Drinking Alcohol at an Early Age Can Lead to Stress-Induced Drinking Later in Life

Posted on March 24, 2011

Many studies suggest that drinking alcohol at an early age can lead to a higher risk of stress-induced drinking later in life. A new study adds to this body of evidence, suggesting that an early age at first drink (AFD) may be a risk factor for later heavy drinking in response to stressful life events.

Emergency Room Visits by Underage Drinkers Significantly Increase on New Year’s Day

Posted on December 31, 2010

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), underage drinking is a major problem in the United States that worsens on holidays, especially on New Year’s Day. Underage drinking often leads to trips to the emergency room, due to overconsumption of alcohol or alcohol-related accidents or injuries.

Adolescents with Family History of Alcohol Abuse More Likely to Develop Alcoholism

Posted on December 7, 2010

A new study has found that adolescents with a family history of alcohol abuse are at a significantly higher risk of developing alcoholism in the future. Adolescence is a time when the brain is changing and developing, mostly in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision making and understanding. Adolescence is also a time when many people start drinking alcohol, which can be detrimental to the development of the brain.

Difference in Sensitivity to Alcohol between Adolescents and Adults Explored

Posted on December 3, 2010

 It has long been known that teens are less sensitive to the motor-impairing effects of alcohol than adults, but researchers were previously unaware of the underlying mechanisms that make this so. A new study has discovered the particular cellular and molecular mechanisms that may cause reduced motor impairment in teens.

Heavy Drinking in Adolescents Can Seriously Alter Brain Development

Posted on October 20, 2010

 A new study shows that heavy drinking and drug use by adolescents can lead to severe brain development problems. Robert J. Thoma, a clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, said that although the effects of drugs and alcohol on adult cognition have been researched for some time, the same topic is just now beginning to receive attention among adolescents.