If you haven keeping up with addiction news over the past couple of months, you may be aware that certain drugs are not as popular among teenagers as they had been in the past. We could argue that, as technology and resources become more plentiful, teenagers and young adults are becoming more aware of the dangers of certain drugs or the hidden benefits of others (like marijuana). However, did you know that binge drinking among high schoolers has actually hit a record low in 2018? In an amazing twist, teens are participating in the lowest amounts of heavy drinking since this habit since 1991. How has everything changed for the better? Let’s take a closer look at why this low is actually a high point.
Rapid Decline in Alcohol Consumption
According to a survey (2018) released by the National Institute of Health (NIH), over the past two weeks preceding December 17, 13.8% of 12th grade students confirmed they had participated in binge drinking (the consumption of 5 or more drinks in a row). Overall, this is the lowest percentage recorded since this annual survey was kickstarted in 1991. Equally remarkable, the percentage of 12th grade students who consume any quantities of alcohol overall has fallen from 78% (1991) to 53% (2018).
Even 8th and 10th graders have experienced a massive drop. (All data has been taken from a study of 40,000 students across 400 schools in the United States.)
Drastic Drop in Drug Rates
Officials have also reported that the use of drugs like marijuana, Adderall, and MDMA has either remained continuous or has dropped. In fact, the only drug that has increased in popularity is nicotine. However, given the fact that this drug has only gained popularity over the past couple of years, scientists do not believe alcohol has been a “substitute” (of sorts) for nicotine.
Ultimately, researchers are a bit perplexed about why alcohol consumption has dropped. Recently, Dr. Boyhun Joy Jang (a researcher at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan) explained that a variety of public health initiatives may have spurred teens and their parents into becoming more health conscious over the past decades.
Always remember that alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse or addiction troubles today.
