Intervention Principles and Practice Guidelines for - Underage ...

Social and Emotional Consequences of Underage Drinking
Underage drinking has serious social consequences for youth and young adults, not only in the
present, but also well into the future. Heavy and frequent alcohol use may interfere with a young
person’s capacity to make prosocial choices. Frequent heavy use of alcohol among adolescents has
been associated with low self-esteem, depression, conduct disorders, antisocial behavior, and anxiety
(Brown & Tapert, 2004). Developing self-control during adolescence is a major task, but alcohol use
may create a dependency that defeats attempts at self-control. Further, alcohol use may affect social
interactions resulting in alienation of underage drinkers from the mainstream of adolescents and/or
lead to stigmatization by peers (Crowe & Schaefer, 1992).
Academic Consequences of Underage Drinking
Alcohol can have a profound impact on the academic performance of youth and young adults.
Underage drinkers are more likely to miss classes, fall behind in their schoolwork, earn lower grades,
and perform poorly on examinations and assignments (Engs et al., 1996; Presley, Meilman, & Cashin,
1996; Presley, Meilman, Cashin, & Lyerla, 1996; Wechsler et al., 2002; Johnson, 2004). They are
also at risk for dropping out, failing, or being expelled from school. Effects of alcohol use by young
people are not limited to those engaged in drinking. Nondrinking youth also can experience negative
consequences based on other young people’s use of alcohol including such things as sleep or study
time disruptions, unwanted sexual advances, and time spent taking care of an intoxicated friend
(Johnson, 2004).
Family Consequences of Underage Drinking
Families can be a contributing factor to underage drinking, and they also can experience negative
consequences of the youth’s or young adult’s drinking behavior. Underage drinking and its related
consequences (such as school, legal, health, and social problems) often precipitate a family crisis.
(Crowe & Schaefer, 1992).
Economic Consequences of Underage Drinking
Underage drinking has both immediate and long-term economic consequences. Recent estimates
of costs calculated by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) (n.d.) put the total impact
of underage drinking at $68 billion in 2007. According to this analysis, underage drinking costs $1 in
societal harm (e.g., traffic crashes, violence) for every drink consumed by an underage drinker. More
information on the costs associated with underage drinking may be found at http://www.udetc.org/
UnderageDrinkingCosts.asp.
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