Buzz Kill: How does alcohol affect the teenage brain?

Volkmann's experience with alcohol isn't unique. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four high school students engage in binge drinking every month, meaning they consume four or five drinks over the span of a few hours. The problem: Binge drinking not only increases the risk of fatal car accidents, irresponsible sexual behavior, and acute alcohol poisoning, but it can also have long-term—perhaps irreversible—effects on the teenage brain, according to recent research.