Top 5 Factors Contributing to Underage Drinking and How to Help

Underage alcohol use is a source of fear for many parents because it seems to develop quickly. One day, your child seems too young and innocent to consider alcohol. The next, you hear about drinking at parties, hiding alcohol, or bad choices that put them at risk.

Understanding the causes of underage drinking is not to make an excuse for underage drinking; rather, it’s to provide you with insight into the true reasoning behind your teenager’s choices. With that insight in mind, you can now be better equipped to deal with the issue with clarity, structure, and support.

If you are wondering why teens drink, unfortunately, the answer typically is not simple. There are many factors usually involved, including peer pressure, curiosity, anxiety, accessibility to alcohol, parent-child conflict, and mental health issues, all working together.

Underage Drinking Stats Parents Should Know

Although underage drinking has been declining, it is still a major problem. The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health states that 13.3% of people between the ages of 12 and 20 use alcohol in the past month, with 7.6% participating in binge drinking and 1.5% reporting heavy drinking.[1]

Excessive alcohol causes significant risks for young people. The CDC states that adolescents and young adults who drink are at greater risk for injuries and accidents, violent crime, school-related problems, legal problems, and slower brain development, which can hinder memory and learning abilities.[2] NIAAA also reports that in 2023, there were 1,392 fatalities among people younger than 21 resulting from traffic accidents involving drivers impaired by alcohol.[3]

These risks are why underage drinking presents particular challenges to parents of minors. Whether your child believes they are “just trying” or “wanting to see what it was like,” underage drinking can impair their ability to make safe decisions, manage emotions effectively, and protect their long-term health.

5 Factors That Contribute to Underage Drinking

1. Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is one of the leading factors causing minors to begin drinking before the minimum legal drinking age. Minors may choose to drink to belong or blend in with others, to avoid ridicule or judgment from peers, to appear older or more mature, or to feel acceptance or get approval from a peer group. Alcohol may be present at parties, sleepovers, big sibling gatherings, or casual hangouts where there is no adult presence to supervise.

Sometimes the pressure is direct: someone offers them a drink and shames them for not taking it. Sometimes the pressure is subtle: they may hear their peers discuss drinking alcohol and see pictures of alcoholic beverages on social media, believing that everybody else is drinking and they should be too.

Parents can help by talking through these situations before they happen. Give your teen language they can use, such as “I’m not drinking tonight,” “No thanks, I’m driving,” or “I have to be up early.” You can also create an exit plan, such as a code word they can text if they need a quick ride home.

2. Curiosity and Lack of Information

Teenagers may also drink out of curiosity.

Most teenagers see alcohol as part of being an adult. They may see their parents having wine or beer with dinner, older relatives ordering drinks at restaurants, or see characters socializing around drinks in the shows and movies they watch.

It may make them wonder what it’s like to use alcohol, why many adults choose to do it, and why it looks so enjoyable. If all they hear from older people about it is “don’t drink until you’re 21,” they may disregard the advice without realizing the reasoning behind it. A better approach would be to explain the potential dangers of underage drinking in a manner that is realistic rather than sensationalized.

Underage drinking can impair coordination, judgment, mood, memory, and decision-making. It also increases the risk of injury, unsafe sex, alcohol poisoning, trouble with the police, and other dangerous situations.[4] Rather than using fear-based strategies to educate teenagers about the possible effects of underage drinking, focus on actual examples:

• Driving with someone who has been drinking
• Losing control during a social event
• Getting suspended from school
• Having something embarrassing posted online
• Requiring emergency medical treatment.
• Legal consequences (that can quickly become home and school consequences) if police are involved

Teenagers often pay more attention to discussions that are practical and not dramatic.

3. Defiance and Risk-Taking

Many adolescents experiment by testing boundaries.

Some adolescents may drink alcohol simply because they were warned not to. Others may drink to feel older, more independent, or more in control over their own choices. When adolescents engage in defiant behavior about alcohol, it doesn’t necessarily mean parents should dismiss the behavior. Rather, the reaction needs to be direct without constantly converting conversations into arguments.

Clearly define your expectations: underage drinking is unacceptable, and there will be consequences if it happens. Additionally, ask what prompted the drinking. Was it planned? Did they feel pressured? Were they afraid of saying no to someone? Were adults present? Where did the alcohol come from?

Parents’ goals shouldn’t be limited to punishing a single instance. Their goal should be to identify patterns of behavior and reduce the chances of it happening again.

4. Emotional or Mental Health Struggles

Some teens use alcohol to cope.

Anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, bullying, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, and family conflict can cause a teenager to seek solace in the form of alcohol.

A teenager may not understand how to say, “I’m overwhelmed,” and instead use alcohol to block out their feelings. According to NIAAA, some young people are at greater risk for developing alcohol-related problems, particularly those with emotional or behavioral difficulties, family conflict, trouble at school, previous trauma, or difficulty succeeding academically.[5]

If a teenager consumes alcohol to cope with their emotions, punishing them for it may stop the drinking for a while, but it will not resolve the underlying issue. If a parent identifies any signs of emotional distress, such as withdrawal from family members, loss of enthusiasm for previously enjoyed activities, significant changes in sleeping habits, declining performance in school, irritability, or depression, the teen may require counseling, a mental health assessment, or substance use treatment.

5. Too Much or Too Little Parental Guidance

Parental guidance can also affect underage drinking.

Too little parental oversight gives a teenager more opportunity to get alcohol, hide high-risk behavior, and spend more time in potentially unsafe environments. Too much parental oversight can provoke rebellious behavior and encourage secrecy.

It may be difficult, but a middle ground with active and supportive involvement must be found. As stated by NIAAA, parents may have considerably more influence on their adolescents than they realize when they set expectations, stay connected, and discuss alcohol with their children.[6]

This requires knowing where your child is, who they are with, whether adults are present, and how they plan to get home. It also includes staying calm enough that your child will contact you if they find themselves in danger. There may be consequences later, but safety should always come first.

Is Your Child Drinking? Signs to Watch For

One of the signs below doesn’t automatically mean your child is drinking. However, if you see multiple changes in behavior or physical condition, this could be an area worthy of investigation.

Some potential signs of underage drinking include:

• Smell of alcohol on your child’s breath, clothing, bags, or room
• Alcohol missing from the home
• Evidence of hidden alcohol containers such as bottles, cans, bottle tops, flasks, or cups
• Coming home late or being evasive about where they were
• Sudden changes in friendships or plans
• Changes in mood, secrecy, or defensive behavior
• Bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, poor coordination, or fatigue
• Declining academic performance or loss of interest in extracurricular activities
• Increased use of chewing gum, mints, body spray, or perfume
• Risk-taking behavior, lying, or breaking curfew

If you see some of these warning signs, don’t immediately assume that your child is drinking and confront them in anger. A calm, direct conversation is more likely to get you some honest answers.

What to Do When You Catch Your Teen Drinking

This is a scenario no parent wants to face. But it is still important to have a game plan in case you find yourself in this situation.

First, be sure to talk with your child about it when everyone is sober and calm.

If your child comes home intoxicated, take immediate action to make sure they are safe. Check for normal breathing and responsiveness, and assess the potential for alcohol poisoning. When you are confident your child is safe, you can address the underlying issue.

During conversations about underage drinking, be direct without the conversation turning into a shouting match. Say something like,  “You seem intoxicated. I smell alcohol on your clothes. I want to know what happened.”

Listen to your child’s explanation before determining consequences. They may have been pressured. They may have acted impulsively. They may be drinking to cope with stress or something deeper. If they called you or another sober adult to pick them up from an unsafe situation or asked for a ride home because they knew they couldn’t drive, be sure they know they made the right choice, even if there will be consequences later.

By listening, you determine how best to establish boundaries, offer additional support, or get them help. Listening does not mean approving. It helps you decide what kind of boundary, support, or treatment may be needed.

Clearly define future expectations moving forward. Discuss with your child why drinking is not allowed, what changes need to happen, and make sure your teen knows they can call you if they feel unsafe.

When to Seek Help

There are some circumstances that call for more support than parents can provide. Professional help may be required if your child:

• Drinks frequently
• Binge drinks
• Drinks alone
• Repeatedly lies about drinking
• Combines alcohol with prescription medications, street drugs, or other substances
• Has experienced blackouts
• Is arrested or charged with crimes related to underage drinking
• Displays aggression, depression, or unpredictable behavior while intoxicated

These are all signs of an emerging alcohol use disorder that warrant evaluation.

Seek emergency care if your child displays signs of alcohol poisoning such as confusion, vomiting, slow or irregular breathing, blue or pale skin color, seizures, passes out, or cannot be awakened.

Get Help for Teen and Young Adult Alcohol Use

The fear of your teenager using alcohol is overwhelming. However, you do not have to navigate this challenge alone. As a family member, you too deserve the support necessary during this time.

SOBA New Jersey offers supportive counseling services to young adults and families experiencing difficulties related to substance use and mental health. Our team provides each client with individualized and compassionate treatment planning that incorporates a structured program designed to promote accountability and support throughout their journey towards recovery.

If you are concerned about your child’s drinking habits, please contact us today to explore treatment options in New Jersey. A conversation now can help prevent a crisis later.