In 2023, alcohol was the most used substance among youth in grades 9\u201312 in Utah, according to Utah\u2019s Public Health Data Resource. This is concerning, as any amount of alcohol use by minors is considered excessive and can impair health, decision-making, and driving ability. Consider this information.<\/p>\n
Risk to Brain Development.\u00a0According to the National Institute on Mental Health, the brain continues to develop until about age 25. Drinking alcohol can harm this growth and damage parts of the brain, leading to problems with memory, learning, decision-making, and behavior.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Risk of Alcohol Dependence.\u00a0Kids who drink alcohol at a young age are more likely to have alcohol problems or addictions later in life. If someone drinks often, their body usually needs more alcohol to get the same desired feeling. Trying to stop can cause withdrawal symptoms, including\u00a0shaky hands and feeling sick or anxious.\u00a0Some people keep drinking to avoid these negative side effects. Alcohol use disorder occurs when a person cannot control their drinking, even though it causes serious problems at home, school, or with their health. Alcohol can change the brain so much that it is hard to quit and easy to start again.<\/p>\n
Poor Decision-Making.\u00a0Alcohol can impair judgment and lead youth to do risky things such as driving drunk, getting into fights, or trying other drugs. Drinking in youth can harm the brain\u2019s frontal lobe, which helps with planning and making appropriate choices. Young people aged 12\u201320 sometimes engage in binge drinking, which happens when they have three or more drinks in 2 hours. This can make them drunk, increasing the risk of making unsafe choices, getting into trouble at school or with the law, getting hurt, or even dying.<\/p>\n
Health Risks and Organ Deterioration\u00a0Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver, cause problems with the heart and blood vessels, make the pancreas swell, increase the risk for cancer, and cause alcohol poisoning, all of which can be life-threatening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Parents Empowered 2025, children whose parents clearly communicate that they disapprove of underage drinking are far less likely to try alcohol. Parents have the greatest influence in keeping their kids alcohol-free. Here\u2019s how they can help.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Talk early. Start talking about alcohol by age 9. Kids begin to form ideas about alcohol between ages 9 and 13.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Set clear boundaries.\u00a0Write down your family\u2019s rules about underage drinking and review them regularly. If parents set clear rules, the likelihood that a child will drink drops by almost half.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Stay involved. Know your kids\u2019\u00a0friends, activities, and what they do after school.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Spend time together. Do regular, fun activities as a family. Strong bonds help kids make better choices.\u00a0<\/p>\n