Question

Nick, who is 13, regularly drinks beer with three friends of the same age. How much more likely are they to become dependent on alcohol than if they had waited for another eight or nine years before they started drinking?

Answer 1

Starting to drink alcohol at a young age increases the risk of developing alcohol dependency later in life. Delaying the start of drinking, until the legal drinking age is reached or later, decreases the risk of alcohol dependency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the likelihood of becoming dependent on alcohol at a young age compared to starting drinking later. It is important to note that underage drinking of any kind is illegal and potentially harmful. The legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and drinking alcohol before that age can have negative consequences on physical and mental health. Starting to drink alcohol at a young age increases the risk of developing alcohol dependency later in life. This is because the brain is still developing during adolescence, and alcohol can interfere with its normal growth and function. Delaying the start of drinking, until the legal drinking age is reached or later, decreases the risk of alcohol dependency. It is crucial to prioritize one's health and well-being by making informed decisions and avoiding underage drinking.

Answer 2

You can also add that because they are only 13, their brain has not yet fully developed. Drinking at such a young age will harm your brain because it is still developing rather than a much older person drinking because they have their brain fully developed already.