Underage drinking has been a long-standing public health problem among teens going back generations. Fortunately, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, the rates of alcohol use among teens have steadily declined over the recent decade [1]. 

Although the numbers have decreased, there are still millions of teens who turn to alcohol for a variety of reasons. Drinking alcohol as a teen can negatively impact brain development, impair relationships, exacerbate mental health problems, and even lead to chronic disease. 

It’s helpful for parents to understand common reasons why teens drink alcohol and strategies to prevent underage drinking. 

Understanding Teen Alcohol Abuse 

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances among teens, and it can be normal for them to experiment with drinking at some point during adolescence. According to a 2023 research report from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [2]: 

• Over 5 million youth between 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol beyond “just a few sips.” 
• 3.3 million youth reported binge drinking at least once.
• Over 650,000 youth reported binge drinking on five or more days in a month. 

Teens may drink alcohol for a number of reasons, including stress, academic or peer pressure, underlying mental health challenges, or simply out of curiosity. 

For teens that come from high-risk homes where substance abuse, domestic violence, or mental illness is present, teens are at an increased risk of turning to alcohol to cope. Family dynamics and culture can also play a role, such as exposure to heavy alcohol use from a young age. 

Warning Signs of Underage Drinking 

It helps to identify the warning signs of underage drinking so parents can provide early intervention and get their teen support to prevent drinking from escalating. 

• Alcohol bottles missing from the home or liquor cabinet 
• Finding empty alcohol bottles or beer cans in their room 
• Smelling alcohol on their breath
• Hangover symptoms (vomiting, nausea, fatigue) 
• Blacking out or memory loss 
• Sudden decline in school grades
• Anxiety
• Depression   

Long-Term Effects of Teenage Drinking 

If drinking becomes chronic or goes unaddressed, teens can develop an alcohol use disorder, mental health challenges, or physical health problems such as heart or liver disease. 

There are several consequences that underage drinking can cause in the lives of teens, such as strained relationships with family, friends, or peers, inability to finish school or hold down a job, legal troubles, or an increased risk of injury in an alcohol-related accident. 

Common Reasons Why Teens Drink 

Teens drink alcohol for a number of reasons. Some may use it to cope with stress and numb emotional pain, while others drink in social settings to increase their confidence and self-esteem. There are also certain risk factors, such as family dynamics, that influence the likelihood of teens developing an alcohol problem. 

Family Dynamics 

Parents, caregivers, and family dynamics in the home have a large influence over the likelihood of whether their teen partakes in underage drinking. Teens learn by observation and often mimic the actions they see in their parents. 

Even if parents only drink casually (e.g., a glass of wine to destress after work), teens may perceive this behavior as an acceptable way to cope with stress [3].

Peer Pressure and Social Norms 

Adolescence is a time when teens are heavily influenced by their peers. As teens explore their identities and build meaningful relationships, it’s normal for them to want to feel like they fit in. Teens might drink to avoid being socially excluded or because they believe it is a normal part of social interactions. 

Teens may also see alcohol use in the content they consume, such as on social media. This can skew their perception of alcohol use and downplay the risks of underage drinking.  

Coping with Mental Health Problems

Undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or bipolar disorder can lead to substance abuse in teens. If teens lack positive coping strategies to manage stress or increase their self-esteem, they are more likely to turn to alcohol. 

According to the National Institute of Health, around one-third of individuals struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder are also diagnosed with a mental health disorder [4].  

Preventing Underage Drinking in Teens

There are several strategies that parents can take to educate their teens on the risks of underage drinking and prevent it. 

• Develop an open line of communication with your teen by having conversations about alcohol, substance abuse, mental health, or other “taboo” topics in the home. 

• Educate teens on the mental and physical health risks associated with drinking during development. Here are a few resources to get you started: 
  
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
  • SAMHSA
  • StopAlcoholAbuse.gov  

• Encourage your teen to join an extracurricular activity such as sports, art, or music or get involved with their community through volunteering. 

• Set rules about underage drinking and calmly explain to them the consequences of what will happen (having their phone taken away, getting grounded). 

• Teach your teen how to say no in moments of peer pressure.  

• Be mindful of who they are spending their time with and where they are going after school or on the weekends.  

• Make sure your teen knows they can call you in times of emergency, such as in a party or situation with alcohol. This can prevent serious injuries associated with alcohol, such as drunk driving. 

• Model responsible drinking behaviors in the home. 

• Encourage your teen to practice positive coping skills to reduce stress, such as listening to music, meditation, going on hikes, journaling, or deep breathing exercises. 

Teen Alcohol Abuse Treatment in Florida 

Lotus Behavioral Health is a residential treatment facility for teens located in Florida. Our programs are designed to support teens and their families with the tools they need to recover from alcohol abuse & co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Our facility offers several levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient services, to meet the needs of teens and their families at all stages of recovery.

Sources

[1] Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 2023. CDC. 

[2] Alcohol's Effect on Health. 2025. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 

[3] Influence of Family Factors and Supervised Alcohol Use on Adolescent Alcohol Use. 2011. National Library of Medicine. 

[4] Psychiatric comorbidities in alcohol use disorder. 2019. National Institute of Health.