Dangerous Binge Drinking Trends Among US Youth

We’re one of the richest, most highly-developed countries in the world, and yet American teens are killing themselves by binge drinking at one of the highest rates in the world. Irish and Austrian youths share that dubious distinction with us, according to a recent study.

The study was part of the British medical journal The Lancet’s “Adolescent Health Series.” It examined the behavior of teens in developed, higher income countries, showing that the teens in these countries tend to live fast and die younger than in other countries.

According to the report, Irish and Americans between the ages of 10-24 are more likely to die violent deaths due to their overindulgence of pot and alcohol. Binge drinking is most prevalent in Austria and Ireland, but the US is not far behind, according to the study. (A binge in this study is defined by having more than five alcoholic drinks in one day.) The study also found that more girls aged 13 to 15 in the US drink excessively, in comparison to their peers anywhere else in the world.

For those outside the US, it’s not time to breathe a sigh of relief. Youth around the world are at risk. The editors of the study call adolescent health still a “marginalized sub-specialty” and advocate for it to be elevated into “mainstream global health agendas.”

Alcohol Addiction Help at La Paloma

Teen addiction rates continue to rise, but there is also more help available than ever before. If you or someone you love needs help with alcohol addiction, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.