“Early alcohol intake is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24 in all regions of the world. The data is in the Practical Guidance Guide on the impact of alcoholic beverages on the health of children and adolescents, released by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP).

“We are now, before Carnival, launching this guidance manual, showing the damage caused by the early use of alcohol. In fact, children and adolescents need safe guidelines to improve their quality of life and their habits, because we know that there is a harmful exposure to alcohol and drugs”, explains pediatrician Luciana Silva, president of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics.

According to scientific studies cited in the guide, almost 40% of Brazilian teenagers tried alcohol for the first time between the ages of 12 and 13, at home. Most of them drink among family and friends, encouraged by acquaintances who already drink or use drugs. Among adolescents aged 12 to 18 who study in public and private schools, 60.5% declared having already consumed alcohol.

Physicians point out that the younger the age at which alcohol consumption begins, the greater the chances of becoming a dependent user throughout life. According to research, drinking before age 16 significantly increases the risk of heavy drinking in adulthood. “The adolescent individual is at an age when part of the brain is still being formed and impulsive behavior is very high. Those who drink early are very likely to use alcohol abusively in adult life”, explained Luciana Silva.”

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