In the age of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, peer pressure can take on a whole new meaning. Kids might be influenced by friends at school and social events — or by what they see posted online.

It’s not exactly a surprise to hear that some teens may drink, smoke or use drugs. But the sheer number of teens engaging in these behaviors may be a bit of a shock.

Popular music artists often sing about partying and drinking. Many underage kids listen to those songs, which sometimes can sound like advertisements for specific brands of alcohol.

Mental illness and substance abuse can keep people from being able to work. Better treatment services may help boost productivity among persons with a mental health disorder.

It is certainly not uncommon for women to try alcohol during their teen years. And partying during college is almost the norm. But alcohol use during these years could be dangerous for some young women.

Of course heavy drinking is unhealthy, but is it better to have one drink per day or not drink at all? The answer may depend on other lifestyle factors, such as people's reasons for not drinking.

Pints of beer and cocktails are full of calories, which can be a problem when watching your weight. It is possible that the alcohol may cause you to make poor diet choices, as well.

Alcohol is involved in many accidents and injuries that send people to the emergency room (ER). In a recent study, researchers wanted to see what specific types of alcoholic beverages people were drinking before they found themselves in the ER.

Cigarette taxes have been thought to play a part in reducing smoking. But as taxes on cigarettes have gone up, many male smokers in the US have also chosen to cut back on their alcohol intake as well. 

Drinking too much can result in more than just a hangover. Too much alcohol can lead to expensive health care, property damage costs and missing time at work.