Changes in Alcohol Use Improves in Teens, Worsens in Adults

Source: Rick Ruggles, "'Good, bad, ugly' in alcohol report," Omaha World-Herald, 11 October 2012

The good news is that alcohol use is declining among teenagers. Nationally alcohol use within the preceding 30 days declined from 51% in 1991 to 39% in 2012. Binge drinking, defined as having several drinks in one sitting, in the preceding 30 days also declined from 31% in 1991 to 22% in 2012.

The bad news is that alcohol use among adults has increased slightly. Nationally binge drinking by adults in the last 30 days was 14.8% in 1999 and is now 15% in 2010.

The numbers continue to show that teenagers are less able to use restraint with addictive products.

"Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thessalonians 5:6-9).