Alcohol and Child Development

Effects of Consuming Alcohol on Children

 

According to the Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, alcohol can greatly affect a child’s normal brain development. Teens and children that consume alcohol can experience:

  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Poor vision
  • Poor muscle control and judgment
  • Slower reactions
  • Lack of coordination
  • Sleep disruption

Additionally, alcohol can affect a child’s memory and ability to learn at a normal pace. Alcohol consumption may cause a child to act out or have poor performance at school.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that by the age of 15, most children in the United States have had at least 1 drink. The estimates are increased to 58 percent for teens that are 18 years old. Many youths admit to binge drinking and as much as “11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States” is done so by youth between the age of 12 and 20.

As posted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “alcohol is a factor in the deaths of 4,358” youths each year. Underage drinking has led to over 1500 drunk driving fatalities, over 1200 homicides, nearly 500 suicides, and 245 deaths from “alcohol poisoning, falls, burns, and drowning.”

Children who consume alcohol are more likely to be involved in a sexual assault, have problems in school, or commit a crime. Furthermore, underage drinking can increase the risk for alcohol use disorder or dependence later in life. Children who live in houses where there is heavy alcohol consumption may be more likely to drink.

The NIAAA suggests that teachers, parents and caregivers look for warning signs of underage drinking including mood changes, behavioral problems, fatigue, slurred speech, signs of impairment, and changing groups of friends.