A new study from Norway suggests that teens who binge drink might earn more money and be more successful as adults. Researcher Willy Pedersen from the University of Oslo followed over 3,000 people for 18 years, starting when they were 13. Those who drank heavily in their late teens and early twenties later had higher education levels and income than people who didn't drink or drank lightly. However, the study found that people who started drinking heavily at much younger ages were less successful later.
Pedersen thinks the connection isn't really about alcohol itself, but about social skills. Teens who go to parties and bars learn to navigate social situations, build confidence, and make connections that can help them in their careers. He points out that drinking alone or too often is still a health risk. Norway's health director warns that skipping alcohol is always better for health, and that the study shows correlation, not that drinking causes success.
Source: NY Post