According to current studies, what percentage of adolescents has used alcohol by the end of high school?

According to current studies, what percentage of adolescents has used alcohol by the end of high school?

• A. 70%
• B. 80%
• C. 85%
• D. 90%

Answer: (C)

Adolescents often begin experimenting with substances during high school, so the question is about how many have ever used alcohol by graduation. Current studies show that a large majority have tried alcohol by the end of high school, about 85%. This reflects how common experimentation is in late adolescence and helps explain why clinicians emphasize screening for any alcohol use in teens, not just regular or ongoing use. Remember the distinction between ever-used and current use: many students may have had a drink at least once but are not regular or current drinkers, which is why the 85% figure is about lifetime exposure by that age, not about ongoing consumption. The other options are less consistent with contemporary data on how widespread the experience is among high schoolers, which is why 85% is the best choice.

Adolescents often begin experimenting with substances during high school, so the question is about how many have ever used alcohol by graduation. Current studies show that a large majority have tried alcohol by the end of high school, about 85%. This reflects how common experimentation is in late adolescence and helps explain why clinicians emphasize screening for any alcohol use in teens, not just regular or ongoing use.

Remember the distinction between ever-used and current use: many students may have had a drink at least once but are not regular or current drinkers, which is why the 85% figure is about lifetime exposure by that age, not about ongoing consumption. The other options are less consistent with contemporary data on how widespread the experience is among high schoolers, which is why 85% is the best choice.