M.E.A.D.A > Substance Use > Alcohol

Alcohol

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is the common term for ethanol or ethyl alcohol, a chemical substance found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, hard cider, malt liquor, wines, and distilled spirits (liquor). In the United States, a standard alcoholic drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Generally, this amount is found in 12 ounces of beer, 8-9 ounces of malt liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.

Health Impacts

Drinking too much has a range of negative health impacts. Alcohol enters the bloodstream immediately on consumption, and its effects appear within 10 minutes. Effects include reduced inhibitions, slurred speech, motor impairment, memory and concentration problems, and even death.
Learn More - CDC

treatment methods

Over time, drinking too much can lead to addiction. Treatment for alcohol addiction often begins with an intervention in which family and/or friends help the person see the alcoholism as a problem and help motivate them to seek help. Treatment can be in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
Learn More - NIH

Resources

Anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis, or who has a loved one in distress, can connect with a skilled, caring crisis counselor by calling, chatting, or texting 988 (if telephone, cellular, or internet service is available).
Find Treatment - SAMHSA

Local Youth Alcohol Use Trends

All data is from the 2013-2022 Minnesota Student Survey.

Alcohol continues to be the most commonly used substance among U.S. youth. In 2022, about 1 in 10 Minnesota youth in grades 8, 9, and 11 reported drinking alcohol in the past month. On the upside, there has been a reduction in youth alcohol use in Minnesota over the past 10 years. In 2013, about 17% of youth reported any 30-day alcohol use compared to about 9% of youth in 2022. 

This is exciting news. However, as overall use declines, some groups of youth reported higher levels of use. This includes American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, White students and students who reported multiple races. These groups also experience disproportionate rates of alcohol-related harms (mental health, chronic disease, vehicle accidents, self-harm, risky sexual behavior, etc.).

Alcohol use is declining among Minnesota students in all grades.

The large majority of youth who use alcohol report obtaining it from their friends (35%) or from their parents (27.5%). Reducing access to alcohol, such as adopting and enforcing a Social Host Ordinance, completing compliance checks, and educating adults on safe storage, are incredibly effective strategies to prevent underage drinking.

The Good News

90%

of Minnesota 8th, 9th, and 11th graders have not used alcohol in the past month

96%

of Minnesota 5th graders have not used alcohol in the past year

96%

of Minnesota 8th, 9th, and 11th graders are not binge drinking at all

99%

of Minnesota 8th, 9th, and 11th graders are not frequently binge drinking