New Study Finds Binge-Drinking and Drugs Among Young Teenagers

A new comprehensive three-year-study has some surprising conclusions about drug and alcohol abuse. Using huge amounts of statistical data, researchers have uncovered some shocking facts about who uses and abuses drugs and alcohol. One thing that may shock parents: one third of teens surveyed said that their first binge drinking experience was in middle school, or between age 12 and 15. Some parents believe that they don’t have to worry about their child binge-drinking until high school, but the new study show they should be aware much earlier than that.

Other surprising conclusions found by the study include troubling statistics on marijuana usage. Of the young people who had tried pot, over half had first tried it when they were less than 15 years old. Interestingly, many students avoided smoking cigarettes because they thought they were unhealthy. The data suggests that parents should talk to their teens earlier and earlier about the dangers of drugs and alcohol—maybe much earlier than the parents might think they would have to.

Have you talked to your children and teenagers about drugs and alcohol? Do you think your teen might have a problem with substance abuse? Thankfully, there is good help out there. Therapy and treatment have proven to be effective in getting teens clean. It can be difficult or impossible for someone to treat themselves on their own or with family members, so it’s very important to find the right treatment center. At Seabrook, we customize our treatment plans to individual patient’s needs, so you know the help you’re getting is right for you or a loved one. Seabrook has rehabilitation centers in New Jersey (NJ), Pennsylvania (PA), and an outpatient center in New York (NY). Contact Seabrook today for any questions about drugs, addiction, and treatment.