Alcohol use among adolescents

Several ongoing national surveys, including the Monitoring the Future study , the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, are investigating the drinking behaviors of adolescents in the Unit ed States. These studies have found that the majority of adolescents under the age of 18 have consumed alcohol, although the minimum legal drinking ag e is 21. Drinking rates may even have increased in recent years in some age groups. No substantial differences exist among various sociodemographic su bgroups with respect to drinking rates, although alcohol consumption genera lly is lowest among African-Americans and highest among whites. Moreover, a lcohol consumption increases sharply throughout adolescence. Various attitu dinal and behavioral factors, such as religious involvement, truancy, and a verage grade level, also influence adolescents' drinking behaviors. Almost two-thirds of 12th graders who report consuming alcohol experience at least one alcohol-related problem. Most adolescents drink to experience the plea surable effects of alcohol such as having a good time with friends.