Underage drinking increases risks of which problems?

• A. It reduces risks of injury
• B. The increased risk of injury, accidents, violence and self-harm
• C. It only affects sleep
• D. It has no impact on mental health

Answer: (B)

Underage drinking raises the risk of serious harms because alcohol impairs judgment, coordination and impulse control in teens, while their brains are still developing. This makes injuries and accidents much more likely, including slips, falls, car crashes, and other dangerous situations. It also can lead to acting out or violence, and increases the risk of self-harm or thoughts of self-harm. Mental health can be affected too, with higher rates of mood problems and anxiety connected to early alcohol use. While it can disrupt sleep, the broader and more important risks are injury, accidents, violence and self-harm, which is why that option best captures the overall impact.