Alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used during adolescence. Its use is associated with motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and deaths; problems in school and the workplace; and fighting, crime, and other serious consequences. Early onset of binge drinking, defined here as five or more alcoholic beverages in a row or during a single occasion in the previous 2 weeks, may be especially problematic, potentially increasing the likelihood of these negative outcomes.⁸⁹

Indicator BEH2: Percentage of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students who reported having five or more alcoholic beverages in a row in the past 2 weeks by grade, 2000–2019

• In 2019, the percentages of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students who reported binge drinking remained steady compared with 2018.
• Binge drinking declined from 12% in 2000 to 4% in 2019 for 8th-grade students, from 24% in 2000 to 9% in 2019 for 10th-grade students, and from 30% in 2000 to 14% in 2019 for 12th-grade students.
• In 2019, about 4% each of male and female 8th-grade students reported binge drinking; among 10th-grade students, the proportion was 9% for males and 8% for female students. Sixteen percent of 12th-grade male students reported binge drinking compared with 12% of 12th-grade female students.
• Among 8th graders, 3% of White, non-Hispanic; 2% of Black, non-Hispanic; and 5% of Hispanic students reported binge drinking. In the same year, 10% of White, non-Hispanic; 4% of Black, non-Hispanic; and 9% of Hispanic 10th-grade students reported binge drinking. Among 12th graders in 2019, 18% of White, non-Hispanic; 7% of Black, non-Hispanic; and 11% of Hispanic students reported binge drinking.

 BEH2 HTML Table