Physical Effects

• Alcohol can have a host of different physical effects on a teenager. In addition to slowing the primary functions of her brain and central nervous system, alcohol can greatly affect her coordination and motor skills. Scientific evidence cited by Dr. John Nelson of the American Medical Association shows that alcohol consumption in adolescents can lead to permanent brain damage. It can also damage kidney and liver function and over-consumption can even lead to coma, or death, from alcohol poisoning.

Psychological Effects

• Routine alcohol consumption and abuse can easily lead to addiction. Alcohol use in teenagers can lead to severe depression; studies conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show that teenagers aged 12 to 16 who drink alcohol are four times more likely to suffer from depression than their peers. In addition, 31 percent of teens aged 12 to 17 who drink suffer psychological distress, while 39 percent showed behavioral problems.

Impact on School and Social Life

• A teen's alcohol consumption can have a profound effect on his performance in school, as well as his social life. Research by the American Medical Association has shown that teenagers who drink are more likely than their peers to perform poorly in school, and that alcohol greatly reduces the vocabulary and memory of drinking teenagers. In fact, alcohol can cause teenagers to remember up to 10 percent less of what they learned, compared to peers who don't drink, according to a 2000 paper titled "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research." Teens who drink are also likely to complete fewer years of education.

Impact on Family

• Alcohol abuse and over-consumption can lead to possible addiction, trouble in school, trouble with the law and health problems, which can all lead to strained relationships with family members. A drinking teen may be rebelling against his parents or other authority figures, and this can lead to fights with family members and an overall deterioration in the family environment.