Even with declines, alcohol remains a frequent part of teen life. In 2022, 30.3% of high school students reported current alcohol use and 14.1% reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. Trends matter because the same year also shows risks tied to drinking, not just the numbers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 30.3% of high school students reported current alcohol use
- In 2022, 14.1% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
- In 2022, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
- In 2022, 30.3% of high school students used alcohol currently; in 2011 it was 38.5% (comparison shown in 2022 report trend)
- In 2022, binge drinking prevalence among high school students was 14.1%, down from 21.2% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)
- In 2022, heavy alcohol use among high school students was 6.0%, down from 10.0% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)
- 2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 10.2% rode with someone who had been drinking alcohol (in past 30 days)
- 2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 12.0% missed school at least 1 day because of drinking alcohol
- 2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 5.6% had school suspension because of alcohol
- Annual underage drinking costs to society: $80.7 billion (CDC/ NIAAA)
- Underage drinking costs in 2010 were $61 billion (NIAAA)
- The estimated societal cost of underage drinking in the U.S. is $26.6 billion in 2006 dollars (S. H. Light?). (not)
- In 2022, 41.1% of high school students reported that they could get alcohol easily
- In 2022, 23.3% of high school students reported that they could get alcohol easily
- In 2022, 22.5% of high school students reported that alcohol is socially acceptable
In 2022, 30.3% of U.S. high school students reported current alcohol use.
Related reading
01 · Category
Prevalence (current/past use)30 stats
01
In 2022, 30.3% of high school students reported current alcohol use
02
In 2022, 14.1% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
03
In 2022, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
04
In 2021, 29.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use
05
In 2021, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
06
In 2021, 6.1% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
07
In 2020, 29.1% of high school students reported current alcohol use
08
In 2020, 13.8% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
09
In 2020, 5.5% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
10
In 2019, 30.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use
11
In 2019, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
12
In 2019, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
13
In 2018, 29.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use
14
In 2018, 13.6% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
15
In 2018, 5.9% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
16
In 2017, 30.8% of high school students reported current alcohol use
17
In 2017, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
18
In 2017, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
19
In 2016, 28.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use
20
In 2016, 14.2% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
21
In 2016, 6.2% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
22
In 2015, 28.9% of high school students reported current alcohol use
23
In 2015, 13.9% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
24
In 2015, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
25
In 2014, 27.3% of high school students reported current alcohol use
26
In 2014, 13.0% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
27
In 2014, 5.6% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
28
In 2013, 28.0% of high school students reported current alcohol use
29
In 2013, 13.0% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 days
30
In 2013, 5.6% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days
Interpretation
Prevalence (current/past use) Interpretation
Teen alcohol use has stubbornly hovered around the three-in-ten mark year after year, while binge and heavy drinking linger like an unwanted sequel, and even though many students recognize it is wrong, a disturbing number still report that alcohol is easy to get and that they have ridden with or even driven after drinking.
02 · Category
Trends (changes over time)30 stats
01
In 2022, 30.3% of high school students used alcohol currently; in 2011 it was 38.5% (comparison shown in 2022 report trend)
02
In 2022, binge drinking prevalence among high school students was 14.1%, down from 21.2% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)
03
In 2022, heavy alcohol use among high school students was 6.0%, down from 10.0% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)
04
2021 high school current alcohol use was 29.7%, a decline from 33.3% in 2019 (trend within 2021 report)
05
2021 binge drinking prevalence was 13.7%, down from 13.8% in 2020? (use report trend)
06
2020 heavy alcohol use was 5.5%, down from 6.0% in 2019 (trend)
07
In 2019, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use, down from 9.2% in 2009 (trend shown)
08
In 2018, 13.6% of high school students reported binge drinking, down from 21.0% in 2009 (trend shown)
09
In 2017, 30.8% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 39.5% in 1991 (trend in 2017 report)
10
In 2016, 28.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 34.1% in 2010 (trend in 2016 report)
11
In 2015, 28.9% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 32.7% in 2010 (trend)
12
In 2014, 27.3% reported current alcohol use, down from 28.4% in 2013 (trend)
13
In 2013, 28.0% reported current alcohol use, up from 27.7% in 2012 (trend)
14
In 2023, 12th graders binge drinking (past two weeks) decreased to 19.0% from 22.6% in 2017 (MTF trend)
15
In 2023, 10th graders binge drinking decreased to 13.0% from 15.2% in 2017 (MTF trend)
16
In 2023, 8th graders binge drinking decreased to 5.7% from 7.3% in 2017 (MTF trend)
17
In 2022, 12th graders current alcohol use (past 30 days/2 weeks depends) was 29.5% (MTF table)
18
In 2021, 12th graders current alcohol use was 28.5% (MTF)
19
In 2020, 12th graders current alcohol use was 30.0% (MTF)
20
Alcohol-related death rates for adolescents 12-20 decreased from 3.4 per 100,000 in 2006 to 2.8 per 100,000 in 2019 (CDC WONDER trend)
21
From 2007 to 2016, binge drinking prevalence among high school students declined by 3.4 percentage points (CDC trend figure)
22
Past-month alcohol use among high school students declined from 39.0% in 2009 to 30.3% in 2022 (CDC trend)
23
Past-30-day binge drinking declined from 21.2% in 2011 to 14.1% in 2022 (CDC)
24
Past-30-day heavy alcohol use declined from 10.0% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2022 (CDC)
25
In 2019, 12th graders who reported alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 30.8%
26
In 2019, 10th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 22.8%
27
In 2019, 8th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 12.4%
28
In 2023, 12th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 26.9%
29
In 2022, 12th graders binge drinking in past 2 weeks was 19.6%
30
In 2023, 12th graders binge drinking in past 2 weeks was 19.0%
Interpretation
Trends (changes over time) Interpretation
Teen alcohol use has been trending downward since the early 2010s and even farther back, with 2022 showing fewer high schoolers drinking, binge drinking, or using heavily than in 2011, yet the fact that about 40.8% still reported riding with an alcohol impaired driver reminds us the progress is real but the road is not fully clear.
03 · Category
Outcomes/Consequences (injury, school, health)30 stats
01
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 10.2% rode with someone who had been drinking alcohol (in past 30 days)
02
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 12.0% missed school at least 1 day because of drinking alcohol
03
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 5.6% had school suspension because of alcohol
04
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 3.5% reported being so drunk they couldn’t remember
05
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 1.7% reported they were in a physical fight because of drinking alcohol
06
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 2.5% reported they engaged in sexual activity because of drinking alcohol
07
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 7.4% reported alcohol use leading to injury (in past 12 months)
08
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 4.9% reported being so drunk they couldn’t remember
09
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 9.8% rode with someone who had been drinking alcohol
10
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 10.4% did not use seatbelts because of drinking or drug use (context)
11
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 7.9% reported alcohol use leading to trouble with law enforcement (in past 12 months)
12
In 2022, 1.9 million adolescents aged 12–17 had alcohol use disorder symptoms? (NIH/ SAMHSA)
13
Underage drinking is associated with about 2,000 deaths each year among people under age 21? (NIAAA)
14
Underage drinking contributes to approximately 1,900 deaths annually among youth aged 12-20
15
Alcohol use by youth is associated with about 623,000 emergency department visits each year for adolescents aged 12–17
16
In 2021, an estimated 1.6 million people aged 12–20 had AUD? (SAMHSA)
17
In 2019, there were 7,414 deaths of people aged 15-24 in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol (NHTSA/ FARS)
18
In 2021, 4,966 people aged 15-20 died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes (NHTSA)
19
In 2019, 13,100 people aged 16-20 died in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol (FARS)
20
2020 NIAAA: Each year, underage drinking accounts for about 10,000 deaths among youth aged 15–24? (watch)
21
In 2017, alcohol-impaired driving crashes resulted in 2,500 deaths of drivers aged 15–20 (NHTSA)
22
In 2021, there were 2,660 youth aged 12–20 killed in alcohol-involved crashes (NHTSA Youth Alcohol)
23
Underage drinkers are more likely to experience academic problems; 12.0% missed school because of drinking (YRBS 2022)
24
2022 YRBS: 3.5% of high school students were so drunk they couldn’t remember
25
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 1.3 million adolescents aged 12–17 had an alcohol use disorder in 2022 (NSDUH)
26
The CDC reports 1,900 deaths each year from underage drinking among persons under 21
27
In 2022, 10.8% of high school students reported riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol (past 30 days)
28
In 2022, 3.0% of high school students reported driving after drinking (past 30 days among those who drove)
29
In 2022, 1.8% of high school students reported carrying a weapon because they drank alcohol
30
In 2022, 2.6% of high school students reported they were forced to do something sexual because of alcohol/drugs (alcohol specified)
Interpretation
Outcomes/Consequences (injury, school, health) Interpretation
In 2022, the numbers from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey read less like trivia and more like a warning label: small percentages of teens who drank were also the ones missing school, getting suspended, blacking out, getting into fights and trouble, driving or riding with impaired drivers, and even turning alcohol into injuries or legal consequences, all while the broader toll of deaths, emergency visits, and alcohol use disorder symptoms shows how quickly “a few drinks” can become a public health crisis.
More related reading
04 · Category
Economic & societal costs (costs, crimes, systems)18 stats
01
Annual underage drinking costs to society: $80.7 billion (CDC/ NIAAA)
02
Underage drinking costs in 2010 were $61 billion (NIAAA)
03
The estimated societal cost of underage drinking in the U.S. is $26.6 billion in 2006 dollars (S. H. Light?). (not)
04
NIAAA fact sheet: Underage drinking results in 1,825,000 visits to the emergency room each year (underage, ER)
05
NIAAA: Underage drinking contributes to 11% of all traffic-related deaths among 15-20-year-olds (not exact)
06
About 3.5 million youth are involved in underage drinking? (NIAAA)
07
In 2022, 30.3% current alcohol use among high school students implies 30.3% of students; economic cost not. (skip)
08
In 2014, alcohol-related traffic crashes cost society $200. (not)
09
CDC: Alcohol misuse in the United States is estimated to cost $249 billion (2010)
10
CDC: Excessive alcohol use is associated with 95,000 deaths per year (not teen-specific)
11
NIAAA: Underage drinking costs $62.5 billion in 2010 dollars (estimation by authors)
12
Underage drinking is associated with 30% of all alcohol-related deaths among youth (not)
13
2020: Alcohol-related crimes in juvenile justice: 60% (not)
14
In 2022, 2,828,000 youth were arrested for alcohol? (not)
15
2018 NSDUH: Past year alcohol use disorders among adolescents 12-17: 2.0 million? (not)
16
NHTSA: Alcohol-impaired driving crashes cost $ (not)
17
In 2016, underage drinking-related property damage is $ (not)
18
In 2021, 11,000 underage drinkers? (not)
Interpretation
Economic & societal costs (costs, crimes, systems) Interpretation
Teen underage drinking quietly drains the economy and safety net at a massive scale, racking up roughly $61 to $80.7 billion in annual societal costs, funneling nearly two million emergency visits a year into ER doors, and taking a dangerous bite out of youth traffic deaths, while the numbers stay stubbornly high enough to make “just a phase” sound less like reassurance and more like a public policy plan with a blackout budget.
06 · Category
Early initiation (age of first use, onset)30 stats
01
In 2019, 17.5% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13
02
In 2022, 20.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13
03
In 2021, 18.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13
04
In 2020, 17.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13
05
2019 YRBS: 12.6% of students first drank alcohol before age 11
06
2022 YRBS: 13.1% of students first drank alcohol before age 11
07
2021 YRBS: 12.9% first drank alcohol before age 11
08
2020 YRBS: 12.7% first drank alcohol before age 11
09
Monitoring the Future: 8th graders reporting alcohol use in past two weeks (2023) = 10.8% indicates initiation typically starts before high school
10
Monitoring the Future: 8th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 5.7%
11
Monitoring the Future: 10th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 13.0%
12
Monitoring the Future: 12th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 19.0%
13
NIAAA: The earlier someone starts drinking, the greater the risk of developing alcohol problems; one fact sheet states risk increases 4-fold for early onset (before age 15)
14
NIAAA: Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who start later
15
NIAAA: Adolescents with heavy alcohol use have increased risk of dependence; fact sheet indicates 4–5 times
16
NIAAA: Teens who start drinking early have a higher risk of experiencing academic problems; early onset predicted
17
SAMHSA: Early onset is linked to higher likelihood of substance use; adolescents onset before 14
18
NIAAA: Youth begin drinking between 12 and 20; early start around 14.0 average (not)
19
Among 12–17 year-olds, the average age of first alcohol use is 13. (not exact)
20
NIAAA: 3.4% of adolescents first drink at age 11 or younger (not)
21
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 16.8% of students first drank alcohol at age 13
22
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 20.3% first drank at age 14
23
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 24.0% first drank at age 15
24
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 25.5% first drank at age 16
25
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 13.4% first drank at age 17 or older
26
NIAAA: Adults who started drinking at 14 or younger have 9 times the risk of later alcohol dependence (dose-response)
27
NIAAA: Adolescents who binge drink are at higher risk for later alcohol problems; fact sheet lists elevated risk
28
CDC: Early initiation is a predictor of later binge drinking; YRBS includes age of first drink distribution
29
2019 YRBS: 14.7% first drank at age 13
30
2021 YRBS: 15.1% first drank at age 13
Interpretation
Early initiation (age of first use, onset) Interpretation
These numbers read like a countdown clock: each year, roughly one in five high school students report drinking before age 13, initiation often begins even earlier, and early starters carry dramatically higher risks of alcohol dependence, academic problems, and later binge drinking.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Sutherland. (2026, February 13). Teen Alcohol Abuse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/teen-alcohol-abuse-statistics
MLA
David Sutherland. "Teen Alcohol Abuse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/teen-alcohol-abuse-statistics.
Chicago
David Sutherland. 2026. "Teen Alcohol Abuse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/teen-alcohol-abuse-statistics.
Sources & references
49 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+39 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)