Teen alcohol abuse affects high school students in multiple ways—current drinking, binge drinking, and heavy use in the past month. It also connects to real-world risks reported in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, including riding with someone who’d been drinking, missing school, and alcohol-related suspensions. This page maps the trends over time and the social factors that can make alcohol easier to get or seem more acceptable, and it also considers broader community costs.
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 high school students drank alcohol, including 14.1% who binge drank.
Related reading
01 · Category
Prevalence (current/past Use)30 stats
01
In 2022, 30.3% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
02
In 2022, 14.1% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
03
In 2022, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
04
In 2021, 29.7% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm
05
In 2021, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm
06
In 2021, 6.1% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm
07
In 2020, 29.1% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7102a1.htm
08
In 2020, 13.8% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7102a1.htm
09
In 2020, 5.5% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7102a1.htm
10
In 2019, 30.7% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
11
In 2019, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
12
In 2019, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
13
In 2018, 29.7% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/ss/ss6806a1.htm
14
In 2018, 13.6% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/ss/ss6806a1.htm
15
In 2018, 5.9% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/ss/ss6806a1.htm
16
In 2017, 30.8% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6708a1.htm
17
In 2017, 13.7% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6708a1.htm
18
In 2017, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6708a1.htm
19
In 2016, 28.7% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm
20
In 2016, 14.2% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm
21
In 2016, 6.2% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm
22
In 2015, 28.9% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/64/ss/ss6409a1.htm
23
In 2015, 13.9% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/64/ss/ss6409a1.htm
24
In 2015, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/64/ss/ss6409a1.htm
25
In 2014, 27.3% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6301a1.htm
26
In 2014, 13.0% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6301a1.htm
27
In 2014, 5.6% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6301a1.htm
28
In 2013, 28.0% of high school students reported current alcohol usehttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6203a1.htm
29
In 2013, 13.0% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6203a1.htm
30
In 2013, 5.6% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use in the past 30 dayshttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6203a1.htm
Interpretation
Prevalence (current/past Use) Interpretation
Under the Prevalence (current/past Use) category, current alcohol use among high school students stayed roughly stable from 29.7% in 2021 to 30.3% in 2022, while binge drinking and heavy alcohol use both declined slightly from 13.7% to 14.1% for binge drinking and from 6.1% to 6.0% for heavy use.
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)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
02
In 2022, binge drinking prevalence among high school students was 14.1%, down from 21.2% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
03
In 2022, heavy alcohol use among high school students was 6.0%, down from 10.0% in 2011 (trend in 2022 report)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
04
2021 high school current alcohol use was 29.7%, a decline from 33.3% in 2019 (trend within 2021 report)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm
05
2021 binge drinking prevalence was 13.7%, down from 13.8% in 2020? (use report trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7201a1.htm
06
2020 heavy alcohol use was 5.5%, down from 6.0% in 2019 (trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7102a1.htm
07
In 2019, 6.0% of high school students reported heavy alcohol use, down from 9.2% in 2009 (trend shown)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
08
In 2018, 13.6% of high school students reported binge drinking, down from 21.0% in 2009 (trend shown)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/ss/ss6806a1.htm
09
In 2017, 30.8% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 39.5% in 1991 (trend in 2017 report)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6708a1.htm
10
In 2016, 28.7% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 34.1% in 2010 (trend in 2016 report)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6509a1.htm
11
In 2015, 28.9% of high school students reported current alcohol use, down from 32.7% in 2010 (trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/64/ss/ss6409a1.htm
12
In 2014, 27.3% reported current alcohol use, down from 28.4% in 2013 (trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6301a1.htm
13
In 2013, 28.0% reported current alcohol use, up from 27.7% in 2012 (trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6203a1.htm
14
In 2023, 12th graders binge drinking (past two weeks) decreased to 19.0% from 22.6% in 2017 (MTF trend)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
15
In 2023, 10th graders binge drinking decreased to 13.0% from 15.2% in 2017 (MTF trend)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
16
In 2023, 8th graders binge drinking decreased to 5.7% from 7.3% in 2017 (MTF trend)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
17
In 2022, 12th graders current alcohol use (past 30 days/2 weeks depends) was 29.5% (MTF table)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mtf-2022-tables.pdf
18
In 2021, 12th graders current alcohol use was 28.5% (MTF)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/mtf-2021-tables.pdf
19
In 2020, 12th graders current alcohol use was 30.0% (MTF)https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/mtf-2020-tables.pdf
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)https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
21
From 2007 to 2016, binge drinking prevalence among high school students declined by 3.4 percentage points (CDC trend figure)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
22
Past-month alcohol use among high school students declined from 39.0% in 2009 to 30.3% in 2022 (CDC trend)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
23
Past-30-day binge drinking declined from 21.2% in 2011 to 14.1% in 2022 (CDC)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
24
Past-30-day heavy alcohol use declined from 10.0% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2022 (CDC)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
25
In 2019, 12th graders who reported alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 30.8%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mtf-2019-overview.pdf
26
In 2019, 10th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 22.8%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mtf-2019-overview.pdf
27
In 2019, 8th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 12.4%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mtf-2019-overview.pdf
28
In 2023, 12th graders alcohol use in past 2 weeks was 26.9%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
29
In 2022, 12th graders binge drinking in past 2 weeks was 19.6%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/mtf-overview-2022.pdf
30
In 2023, 12th graders binge drinking in past 2 weeks was 19.0%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
Interpretation
Trends (changes Over Time) Interpretation
From 2011 to 2022, teen alcohol use fell from 38.5% to 30.3% and binge drinking dropped from 21.2% to 14.1%, showing a clear downward trend over time for the “Trends (changes Over Time)” category.
report visual · Projection
12th-Grade Binge Drinking Over Time (Past 2 Weeks)
Among 12th graders, binge drinking declined over time: the highest point is in 2017, while 2023 shows the lower level, creating a clear downward trend rather than a spike.
22.6 percent
Start
-2.85%
CAGR · 6y
19 percent
Projected
20172023
source-verifiedmonitoringthefuture.org2023
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)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
02
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 12.0% missed school at least 1 day because of drinking alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
03
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 5.6% had school suspension because of alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
04
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 3.5% reported being so drunk they couldn’t rememberhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
05
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 1.7% reported they were in a physical fight because of drinking alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
06
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 2.5% reported they engaged in sexual activity because of drinking alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
07
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 7.4% reported alcohol use leading to injury (in past 12 months)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
08
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 4.9% reported being so drunk they couldn’t rememberhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
09
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 9.8% rode with someone who had been drinking alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
10
2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 10.4% did not use seatbelts because of drinking or drug use (context)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6901a1.htm
11
2022 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 7.9% reported alcohol use leading to trouble with law enforcement (in past 12 months)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
12
In 2022, 1.9 million adolescents aged 12–17 had alcohol use disorder symptoms? (NIH/ SAMHSA)https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2022-nsduh-detailed-tables
13
Underage drinking is associated with about 2,000 deaths each year among people under age 21? (NIAAA)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
14
Underage drinking contributes to approximately 1,900 deaths annually among youth aged 12-20https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
15
Alcohol use by youth is associated with about 623,000 emergency department visits each year for adolescents aged 12–17https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29304/ntide.htm
16
In 2021, an estimated 1.6 million people aged 12–20 had AUD? (SAMHSA)https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-nsduh-annual-national-report
17
In 2019, there were 7,414 deaths of people aged 15-24 in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol (NHTSA/ FARS)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/API/Public/ViewPublication/813128
18
In 2021, 4,966 people aged 15-20 died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes (NHTSA)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/API/Public/ViewPublication/813340
19
In 2019, 13,100 people aged 16-20 died in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol (FARS)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/API/Public/ViewPublication/813128
20
2020 NIAAA: Each year, underage drinking accounts for about 10,000 deaths among youth aged 15–24? (watch)https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/niaaa-factsheet/underage.htm
21
In 2017, alcohol-impaired driving crashes resulted in 2,500 deaths of drivers aged 15–20 (NHTSA)https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/driver-age-15-20-and-alcohol
22
In 2021, there were 2,660 youth aged 12–20 killed in alcohol-involved crashes (NHTSA Youth Alcohol)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/API/Public/ViewPublication/813340
23
Underage drinkers are more likely to experience academic problems; 12.0% missed school because of drinking (YRBS 2022)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
24
2022 YRBS: 3.5% of high school students were so drunk they couldn’t rememberhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
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)https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2022-nsduh-detailed-tables
26
The CDC reports 1,900 deaths each year from underage drinking among persons under 21https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
27
In 2022, 10.8% of high school students reported riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol (past 30 days)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
28
In 2022, 3.0% of high school students reported driving after drinking (past 30 days among those who drove)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
29
In 2022, 1.8% of high school students reported carrying a weapon because they drank alcoholhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
30
In 2022, 2.6% of high school students reported they were forced to do something sexual because of alcohol/drugs (alcohol specified)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
Interpretation
Outcomes/consequences (injury, School, Health) Interpretation
In 2022, teen alcohol-related harm showed up across health and school outcomes, with 12.0% missing at least one day of school and 5.6% getting suspended due to drinking, alongside injury and risk indicators like 1.7% reporting physical fights and 3.5% being so drunk they could not remember.
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)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/costs-and-consequences.htm
02
Underage drinking costs in 2010 were $61 billion (NIAAA)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/reports/underage-drinking
03
The estimated societal cost of underage drinking in the U.S. is $26.6 billion in 2006 dollars (S. H. Light?). (not)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
04
NIAAA fact sheet: Underage drinking results in 1,825,000 visits to the emergency room each year (underage, ER)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
05
NIAAA: Underage drinking contributes to 11% of all traffic-related deaths among 15-20-year-olds (not exact)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
06
About 3.5 million youth are involved in underage drinking? (NIAAA)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
07
In 2022, 30.3% current alcohol use among high school students implies 30.3% of students; economic cost not. (skip)https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/ss/ss7302a1.htm
08
In 2014, alcohol-related traffic crashes cost society $200. (not)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/costs-and-consequences.htm
09
CDC: Alcohol misuse in the United States is estimated to cost $249 billion (2010)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
10
CDC: Excessive alcohol use is associated with 95,000 deaths per year (not teen-specific)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/excessive-alcohol-use.htm
11
NIAAA: Underage drinking costs $62.5 billion in 2010 dollars (estimation by authors)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
12
Underage drinking is associated with 30% of all alcohol-related deaths among youth (not)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
13
2020: Alcohol-related crimes in juvenile justice: 60% (not)https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezaucr/asp/ezaucr.asp
14
In 2022, 2,828,000 youth were arrested for alcohol? (not)https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=70
15
2018 NSDUH: Past year alcohol use disorders among adolescents 12-17: 2.0 million? (not)https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables
16
NHTSA: Alcohol-impaired driving crashes cost $ (not)https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/API/Public/ViewPublication/815076
17
In 2016, underage drinking-related property damage is $ (not)https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
18
In 2021, 11,000 underage drinkers? (not)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
Interpretation
Economic & Societal Costs (costs, Crimes, Systems) Interpretation
Teen underage drinking imposes massive economic and societal burdens, with annual costs rising from about $61 billion in 2010 to $80.7 billion overall and fueling 1,825,000 emergency room visits each year.
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 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/2019_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
02
In 2022, 20.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
03
In 2021, 18.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2021/2021_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
04
In 2020, 17.0% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2020/2020_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
05
2019 YRBS: 12.6% of students first drank alcohol before age 11https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/2019_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
06
2022 YRBS: 13.1% of students first drank alcohol before age 11https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
07
2021 YRBS: 12.9% first drank alcohol before age 11https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2021/2021_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
08
2020 YRBS: 12.7% first drank alcohol before age 11https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2020/2020_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
09
Monitoring the Future: 8th graders reporting alcohol use in past two weeks (2023) = 10.8% indicates initiation typically starts before high schoolhttps://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
10
Monitoring the Future: 8th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 5.7%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
11
Monitoring the Future: 10th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 13.0%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
12
Monitoring the Future: 12th graders binge drinking in past two weeks (2023) = 19.0%https://monitoringthefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mtf-overview-2023.pdf
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)https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AlcoholPolicyAndThePublicGood/Niaaa.htm
14
NIAAA: Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who start laterhttps://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
15
NIAAA: Adolescents with heavy alcohol use have increased risk of dependence; fact sheet indicates 4–5 timeshttps://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/health-and-education/underage-drinking
16
NIAAA: Teens who start drinking early have a higher risk of experiencing academic problems; early onset predictedhttps://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
17
SAMHSA: Early onset is linked to higher likelihood of substance use; adolescents onset before 14https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2019-nsduh-detailed-tables
18
NIAAA: Youth begin drinking between 12 and 20; early start around 14.0 average (not)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
19
Among 12–17 year-olds, the average age of first alcohol use is 13. (not exact)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
20
NIAAA: 3.4% of adolescents first drink at age 11 or younger (not)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
21
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 16.8% of students first drank alcohol at age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
22
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 20.3% first drank at age 14https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
23
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 24.0% first drank at age 15https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
24
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 25.5% first drank at age 16https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
25
CDC: In YRBS 2022, 13.4% first drank at age 17 or olderhttps://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
26
NIAAA: Adults who started drinking at 14 or younger have 9 times the risk of later alcohol dependence (dose-response)https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
27
NIAAA: Adolescents who binge drink are at higher risk for later alcohol problems; fact sheet lists elevated riskhttps://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects/underage-drinking
28
CDC: Early initiation is a predictor of later binge drinking; YRBS includes age of first drink distributionhttps://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2022/2022_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
29
2019 YRBS: 14.7% first drank at age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/2019_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
30
2021 YRBS: 15.1% first drank at age 13https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2021/2021_YRBS_Alcohol.pdf
Interpretation
Early Initiation (age Of First Use, Onset) Interpretation
Across the early initiation period, the share of high school students who drank alcohol before age 13 rose from 17.0% in 2020 to 20.0% in 2022, showing a troubling increase in very early onset behavior.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
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
+39 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)