7 Reasons Not to Drink as a Teen ...

By Julia

7 Reasons Not to Drink as a Teen ...

In school and in social places there is so much peer pressure, that sometimes teenagers don’t care to listen to reasons not to drink as a teen. Excuses are made and many argue that your teenage years are your time to explore. However, before you take that first sip, you should also explore some reasons not to drink as a teen and find out the effects it can have on your body. Check out some of these reasons.

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1

It’s Illegal

This is probably one of the most important reasons not to drink as a teen. Although it may not seem like it, getting arrested for underage drinking is a really big deal. If you are arrested as a teen for possession or consumption of alcohol, you can face fines, community service, license suspension, and (if you’re over 17) jail time. This is one consequence you want to take really seriously. These things can easily be used against you at school or even when getting a job.

2

Out of Control

Drinking, whether you’re a teen or not, always poses the threat of having "one too many." And when this happens, it is hard to maintain control of your thoughts and actions. Often times if you are shy and not very out going, getting drunk will probably make you very loud and boisterous. This may sound appealing to some, but being too out going can put out the wrong vibe. You could end of doing things that you will definitely regret when you’ve sobered up.

3

Blackouts

Blackouts are very scary things. If someone drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time, it would not be surprising if they experienced a blackout. In other words, there are parts of their day or night that they have no memory of. It is like having a part of your memory blackened out by a Sharpie marker. And it can be terrifying not knowing what you might’ve done during that "blackout" time.

4

Risk of Death

It is a proven fact that drinking can lead to death. Yes, death! And it is even more common in teenagers. Not only can it lead to death through drunk driving, but you can contract alcohol poisoning, not wake up after passing out, or even choke on your own vomit ... wonderful right? The secret to avoiding this tragedy? Don’t drink!

5

Leaked Pictures

Remember all of those pictures you took at the out-of-control drinking party that your class mate threw last week? Well it is easier than you think for those pictures to get into the wrong hands. It can be less than a day until everyone in the school has a picture of you doing something you wish you hadn’t. And it won’t stop at people’s cell phones. Pictures can end up on social media, the internet, and maybe into your principal’s hands, or worse, your parent’s!

Famous Quotes

If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.

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6

Drunk Driving

Maybe you were taught about drunk driving in your health class and picked up a few things, but the fact is, drunk driving is unbelievably dangerous. When teens drink (and it can be the tiniest amount) and drive, they are more than 10 times likelier to get into an accident. And this not only puts you in danger, but it puts your passengers and the other people in the opposite car at risk too. Plus, if someone is killed during the accident, you can face some major jail time.

7

Early Alcoholism

Drinking at a young age, like in your teenage years, can have great influence on whether or not you will become an alcoholic. Studies show that the heavier you drink while you’re a teen, the greater your chance is of becoming an alcoholic when you’re an adult. So the next time you reach for "just one beer," remember that next time you might be reaching for two instead.

Drinking as a teen can definitely have some nasty consequences. There are so many risk factors and bad turn outs that are hard to ignore. Making the decision to drink or not to drink is tough when you are with friends and just want to have a good time. But remember, you don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Just be yourself and party with some friends and the good times are sure to come! Even without alcohol! Do you have any other reasons to share, not to drink as a teen?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Agreed with Ashleigh. No 1 isn't really applicable is many circumstances. I live in Australia and (at least in my state) you're allowed to drink at any age as long as you're on private property and with permission of a parent/guardian. Also the drinking age is 18. Although alcohol is not "encouraged" for children younger than 15. I don't really think there's anything wrong with alcohol, per se, it's just some people don't know when it's time to stop.

Great article! :)

I'm sixteen and I used to drink to the extent where I needed to consume alcoholic drinks each night of the week, because of peer pressure. I let my EX best friend pressure me into it and then drinking became an addiction. I've only been intoxicated a few times this year now as I'm not her friend anymore. I would love to know what my life would be like if I didn't drink for the past years, I'd also be intelligent. I'm only just getting my life back on track and I can ensure you, it is NOT easy. Especially if you are under the age of 18. Think twice before having a 'sip' because a sip turns into a cup, than another and plenty more. Those individuals who consume alcohol and do drugs may THINK they are cool, but in a few years time, they won't even know how to think as their brains wouldn't of been able to develop.

Drinking isn't attractive, and any guy that says different probably only wants to use you. Be classy ladies! ;)

I think this is more of a reason not to get drunk as a teen, not drink over all. Plus the illegal part depends where you live & how it is done. It isn't illegal here if there is a parent guardian supervising. I never got drunk as a teen, mostly as I take too many meds to drink & never liked to party. I knew a fair amount of people who did though, and it was always done responsibly. There were always several DD set up, and a few parents on call in case a DD drank. Plus there was always a parent to check in and make sure everything was going good. i think it's more important to encourage it to be done safely than to just say 'don't so it'.

I'm 16 and although many of my friends drink, it encourages me not to drink even more. Seeing them covered in their own vomit without any boundaries was what set in my mind that even if I don't wait until I'm 21, this isn't something I need to be doing right now. I know a lot of teenagers feel the same way

#7 is false. It's ACTUALLY a proven fact that teens that don't have a single drink until they are of legal age, drink heavier than if they are aloud when they are younger. In Ontario, if you have your parents permission and supervision, and you are on your own property, you are legally alouf to drink it's true I've personally asked the police.

Good post because it makes you stop and think...which is a good thing for kids to do. I agree, though, that there is a difference between drinking and getting drunk. But thinking back all those centuries when I was a teen, I don't recall ever making that distinction per se. Which is why it's better not to drink in the first place. What really sucks, especially during spring break, is that the excess gets glorified...kids are gonna drink, some are gonna get drunk, but glamorizing the excess sends the wrong message. We do lots of preaching about the "right" thing to do, but condone the messages that preach the opposite...

Teens can also have a hard time developing a personality and identity as they continually rely on liquor to fuel their social interactions. This can detrimental affects later in life when trying to cope without the social lubricant of alcohol. Talk to your teens, become more strict!

Straight edge yo. Good article. Underage drinking isn't all that great actually.

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