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Body & Health

Alcohol: knowing the facts

Alcohol is the most common drug used by people under 21 in the U.S. Know what counts as one drink, know the signs of an alcohol overdose, and know that the right move is always to call 911 and stay with the person.

Easy10 min to readFree

What to know

  1. Know the signs of an alcohol overdose: confusion, trouble staying conscious, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths a minute) or irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths), clammy skin, and very low body temperature (NIAAA).
  2. If you think someone has had too much, call 911 right away (NIAAA).
  3. Don't leave them alone. They can get hurt falling or choke (NIAAA).
  4. If they're passed out or lying down, roll them onto one side, ear toward the ground, so they don't choke (NIAAA).
  5. Skip the myths. Cold showers, hot coffee and walking don't reverse an overdose and can make it worse (NIAAA).
Watch out. Drinks aren't all the same size. In the U.S., one standard drink is 12 ounces of regular beer (about 5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. A 12-ounce beer at 10% alcohol is two drinks, and many light beers have about 85% as much alcohol as regular beer (NIAAA).

If it doesn't work

  • Worried about your own drinking, or someone else's? SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free, confidential, and open 24/7, in English and Spanish (SAMHSA).
  • Feeling hopeless or thinking about hurting yourself? Call or text 988 any time. See 988: when and how to reach out.
  • Someone's been drinking and wants to drive? Don't get in the car. Drinking and driving puts everyone at risk (CDC). Call a parent, a friend who hasn't been drinking, or a ride.

Good to know

Why it hits young people harder

Young people who drink are more likely to have injuries, problems at school and with the law, and slower brain development that can affect memory. People who start drinking earlier have a higher risk of alcohol problems later (CDC).

Most people your age aren't binge drinking

9% of high school students reported binge drinking in the past month (CDC). Saying no is normal.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose
  2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism What is a standard drink?
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Underage drinking
  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline

Lesson B9.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?