The High Costs Associated with Alcohol Consumption Among Teenagers

We have reported many times on the various driving risks in Kentucky. However, drunk drivers and teenaged drivers are particularly dangerous – but when the two merge, far too many young lives are lost.  A new study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic highlights the risks of drinking among teenagers, and their findings are distressing. 

Conducting a detailed analysis of 2008 data on hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in youth, Mayo researchers found that the estimated total charges for these hospitalizations were $755 million. These estimates are low, since the data did not include “the kind of uncomplicated alcohol-intoxication cases that show up in the emergency room but don’t result in an admission,” according to an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). 

The Mayo study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, reviewed 39,619 admissions for teenagers identified as AUD. The conditions included alcohol intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, alcohol abuse and dependence, as well as alcohol-induced mood problems. 

The WSJ reports 79% of the cases included acute intoxication and more than 24% of the cases involved some kind of injury, most commonly a traffic accident. Not surprisingly, the injury-related cases consumed the bulk of the hospitalization charges – nearly $505 million. 

As was reported by the Centers for Disease Control, when people drink, many of them also take to the highways. 

The Kentucky State Police reports that 16% of all collisions in the state in 2010 involved teenage drivers. Of those 20,597 collisions, 81 resulted in a fatality and 4,169 resulted in an injury. Sadly, seven of the fatalities and 151 injuries were alcohol-related collisions caused by a teenage driver. 

Many victims of DUI accidents suffer serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe internal injuries or loss of limbs. These debilitating injuries can have long-lasting effects, requiring extended rehabilitation. The care for a teenager facing these injuries can be devastating for the entire family. 

Our Kentucky car accident attorneys are concerned with these statistics and urge parents and all adults to set good examples for your teenaged drivers or friends by not drinking and driving. Contributing to teens by offering them alcohol is not only illegal it is dangerous and can lead to serious injuries. Please support our teenage population by educating them of the dangers associated with alcohol consumption.