What are some of the facts about alcohol and its use in life?
Alcohol — including beer, wine, and hard liquor – are the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the country. Alcohol is the most widely tried drug among teenagers. Over 50% of 8th graders and 8 out of 10 12th graders report having tried alcohol. Many teenagers report binge drinking — in 1995, 30% of 12th graders surveyed reported binge drinking (5+drinks in a sitting) in the previous 2 weeks. Even young teens report irresponsible use of alcohol — 25% of 8th graders have been drunk. Alcohol use is widespread, although the per capita consumption has varied from decade to decade. While U.S. consumption of alcoholic beverages increased after World II, since 1981 it has declined slightly. But even with declines in alcohol use, two of three American adults drink alcoholic beverages. About half of all alcohol consumed in this country is ingested by heavy drinkers, estimated to be between 6.5 and 10 percent of the total population. The extent and frequency with which the
