National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States. Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among America’s youth, and drinking by young people poses enormous health and safety risks.

Thursday, August 15, 2019, 1:00 pm EDT to Thursday, August 15, 2019, 2:00 pm EDT

Abstract: Teens are wired to seek novel, exciting experiences and take risks. All too often, that leads to experimentation with drugs and alcohol. The teen brain is especially sensitive to the effects of alcohol, increasing the odds that a teen will binge drink or experience blackouts. While adolescents eventually “age out” of these sensitivities, new research shows the effects of...

Learn up-to-date facts and statistics on alcohol consumption and its impact in the United States and globally. Explore topics related to alcohol misuse and treatment, underage drinking, the effects of alcohol on the human body, and more.

Harmful and underage college drinking are significant public health problems, and they exact an enormous toll on the intellectual and social lives of students on campuses across the United States. Learn more... Visit NIAAA's site CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov -- your one-stop resource for comprehensive research-based information on issues related to alcohol abuse and binge drinking among college students Read NIAAA's fact sheet...

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to update your knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol misuse on health and society. It is also a good time to talk to teens about drinking and to equip them with the knowledge to handle situations involving alcohol. Even teens who would not normally be tempted to drink alcohol may be drawn...

The below resources provide information on treatment, support, and mental and physical health for middle schoolers, as well as additional resources for school projects. Tips for Parents Quick tips on getting started with talking to your middle schooler about alcohol. Mental Health Emergencies Many young people who drink also struggle with other substance use disorders and mental health issues, such...

This guide is geared to parents and guardians of young people ages 10 to 14. Keep in mind that the suggestions on the following pages are just that—suggestions. Trust your instincts. Choose ideas you are comfortable with, and use your own style in carrying out the approaches you find useful. Your child looks to you for guidance and support in making life decisions—including the decision not to use alcohol.

The holidays are here! And since drinking alcohol is a part of holiday festivities for many people, it is a good time to be mindful of how it can affect our celebrations and our health.

Monday, January 23, 2017, 12:00 am EST to Sunday, January 29, 2017, 12:00 am EST

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week ( SM) (NDAFW) is a national health observance for teens to promote local events that use scientific experts to SHATTER THE MYTHS ( TM,SM) about drugs. For more details visit https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week

January 3, 2019

Get ready! Jan. 22-27, 2019 is National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week®. Take a quick look at this promotional video to learn what you need to do to get ready for your NDAFW event! Then learn more at https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week/learn-abou… . Help shatter the myths about drugs and alcohol.

As we move from January to February, some people’s motivation to keep their New Year’s resolutions starts to wane. But it’s a good idea to be mindful of how alcohol can adversely affect our health all year long.

Prevalence of Underage Alcohol Use, People Ages 12 to 20 Prevalence of Lifetime Drinking According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 13.2 million people ages 12 to 20 (34.2% in this age group) reported that they have had at least one drink in their lives. 1,2 This includes: 6.5 million males ages 12 to 20...

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) announced that event registration begins today for the next National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), to be held Jan. 22-28, 2018. NDAFW is an annual, week-long series of educational events that brings together teens and scientific experts to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about...

Monday, March 30, 2020, 12:00 am EDT to Sunday, April 5, 2020, 12:00 am EDT

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) announced the 10th annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), will take place March 30 through April 5, 2020. NDAFW is a week of educational events that annually brings together teens and scientific experts to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about substance use and...

June 15, 2023

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has released a major update to the Alcohol Facts and Statistics webpage . The content of this popular online resource has been expanded with demographic and other data and is now reorganized for improved readability and easier navigability. The webpage can be found on the main NIAAA website in the Alcohol’s...

Harmful and underage college drinking are significant public health problems, and they exact an enormous toll on the intellectual and social lives of students on campuses across the United States. Drinking at college has become a ritual that students often see as an integral part of their higher education experience. Many students come to college with established drinking habits, and the college environment can exacerbate the problem.

January 23, 2015

On January 30, 2015, high school students from around the country have a chance to ask experts about the effects of alcohol and other drugs on Drug Facts Chat Day, an annual live online chat hosted by NIH scientists. Visit http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week/chat-with-scientists for more details

Event registration opens today; new teacher resources available. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) announced today that the next National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) will be held Jan. 23-29, 2017, with event registration beginning immediately. NDAFW is an annual, week-long observance that brings together teens and scientific...

The little-known but alarming facts surrounding alcohol consumption by children ages 9 to 15 have prompted more than 25 Governors' Spouses to join forces and put this issue on the national agenda. Today they launched Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, a multi-year, public-private partnership focused on preventing the use of alcohol by children, funded by the National Institute on...

Observance helps teens dispel myths about substance use March 23, 2020— National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week ® (NDAFW) marks its 10th anniversary March 30 through April 5, 2020, encouraging communities around the country to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about substance use and addiction. NDAFW is a joint initiative of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute...