HomeAnswersInternal MedicinealcoholismCan lowering the legal age of drinking combat the problem of binge drinking?

What are the cons of lowering the legal drinking age?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At February 29, 2016
Reviewed AtJune 15, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Medically, is there a big difference between drinking alcohol by an 18 year old and a 21 year old? Some proponents of lowering the legal drinking age believe it will combat the rising problem of binge drinking on college campuses. From a medical perspective, what are the cons of lowering the legal drinking age to 18?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. If we keep the legal age for when one is allowed to drink alcohol, there will be lesser damages to the brain development of young aged people. Alcohol destroys the liver and if we keep a low legal age that allows drinking, definitely more and more alcoholic hepatitis patients will appear in the population. Decreasing the legal age for drinking will have devastating effects on the health of the mass.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

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