CARACTERIZAÇÃO DO CONSUMO DE ÁLCOOL ENTRE ESTUDANTES DO ENSINO MÉDIO

The Brazilian reality is showing high rates of teenagers and young adults consuming frequently and excessively alcoholic beverages. This study aimed to know the profile of senior students in a public high school of the state of Bahia, Brazil, on the consumption of alcohol and to identify the factors that motivate the use of alcoholic beverages among teenagers and young adults and their main consequences. It is a descriptive study with quantitative approach. The sample was of 80 students and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection which was analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results showed that most of the students had already ingested alcohol precociously. Besides this, most of them have continued to drink frequently and excessively, with little difference between male and female gender. The influence of the family and friends was  perceptible regarding the first experience and the maintenance of the consumption. It can be concluded from this study that commitment of the schools is considered necessary concerning socio-cultural issues of the students who need orientations about the risk factors and possible biopsychosocial complications related to alcohol consumption, psychoactive substance, whose use is every time more precociously present in these students’ lives.