Teens Have Tricks for Cutting Back on Booze

MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A new survey of the strategies teenagers use when they want to cut back on their drinking may provide ideas for improving programs to cut alcohol use among teens.

The survey of high school students revealed a number of ways they lessen their drinking. They may stop going to parties where alcohol is served, they may talk with a friend about drinking, or they may drink better-tasting non-alcoholic drinks.

They also listed participation in other activities, such as sports, and getting advice from counselor.

The findings appear in the January issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

The survey, conducted by a University of California, San Diego, researcher and her colleagues, included 1,069 high school students, aged 12 to 18. They were asked to list different strategies for drinking less or for giving up alcohol completely.

The students were also asked what strategies they might use to moderate their own drinking or that of a friend.

Most of the students surveyed were white. The researchers note that strategies to control drinking may vary among different ethnic and cultural groups.

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