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Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the United States. According to the 2021 Idaho Healthy Youth Survey, nearly 32% of Idaho youth reported drinking alcohol. This number includes 24.8% of 8th graders, 37% of 10th graders, and over 50% of 12 graders. Of those who report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, nearly 12% reported binge drinking (having 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours).
Link to strategies for cutting back on drinking alcohol.
Research suggests that one of the most important factors in healthy child development is a strong, open relationship with a parent. It is important to start talking to your children about alcohol and other drugs before they are exposed to them - as early as 9 years old.


Alcoholic drinks are not created equal!

Did you know that in the United States a standard alcoholic drink is considered to be any drink that has 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol (known as the alcoholic drink-equivalent). Each of the drinks pictured below contain the same amount of alcohol. Despite their size difference, they are all an example of one U.S. standard alcoholic drink.

Alcohol's effects on the body

As a person drinks, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, which is the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream, increases. The higher your BAC, the more impaired you become by alcohol. These effects may include:

  1. Reduced inhibitions
  2. Slurred speech
  3. Motor impairment
  4. Confusion
  5. Memory problems
  6. Concentration problems
  7. Coma
  8. Breathing problems
  9. Death

Binge drinking: how much is too much?

Link to strategies for cutting back on drinking alcohol.

In the United States, binge drinking is when you drink 5 or more alcoholic drinks within 2 hours. To keep your drinking moderate, women should have no more than one drink a day. Men should have no more than two drinks a day.
Learn more about alcohol misuse.
Learn why women and men have different alcohol recommendations.


Signs of alcohol poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol poisoning kills more than 2300 people each year in the United States. The following symptoms are warning signs of alcohol poisoning:

  1. Confusion
  2. Slow breathing
  3. Vomiting
  4. Lack of consciousness
  5. Low body temperature
  6. Seizures

If the person is unconscious, breathing less than eight times a minute, or has repeated, uncontrolled vomiting, call 911 immediately. When someone is unconscious or has stopped drinking, alcohol continues to be released into the bloodstream and the level of alcohol in the body continues to rise.


Veterans are at higher risk

Deployment and combat exposure can result in new alcohol-related behaviors such as more frequent drinking and binge drinking. Studies have found military men and women often turn to alcohol to deal with combat-related stress and trauma. Veterans also have to deal with the experiences they face when they return home - alienation, changed family circumstances, and readjusting to civilian life. On top of this are the possible ailments that many veterans suffer including: PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. All of this can predispose individuals to addiction.


Learn more:

What is alcohol misuse?

Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy drinking.

What are the consequences?

There are a wide range of short- and long-term consequences associated with alcohol misuse.

What are the symptoms of alcohol use disorder?

It helps to know the signs so you can make a change early.