Why Drink?

Alcohol is a legal drug in the U.S. for people age 21 and older. People often drink as a way to:

• De-stress from the day.
• Reward themselves.
• Feel less inhibited in social situations.
• Fit in with others who are drinking.
• Express feelings that are difficult to express when sober.
• Suppress painful feelings, such as shame, anger, sadness or loneliness.

Even though it’s illegal to drink alcohol if you’re under 21, teenagers choose to drink for other complicated and various reason, including:

• Imitating adults, including parents.
• Wanting to experiment, rebel or get a quick thrill.
• Peer pressure or wanting to seem cool.
• A desire to reduce inhibitions and social anxiety and boost confidence.
• Media images (movies, videos, games, social media) of teens drinking and “having fun.”
• A method of escape to deal with stress and worries.

Social Drinking

A social drinker typically:

• Drinks slowly.
• Knows when to stop drinking; doesn’t drink to get drunk.
• Eats before or while drinking.
• Never drives after drinking.
• Respects non-drinkers.
• Knows and obeys laws related to drinking.

Problem Drinking

A problem drinker typically:

• Drinks to get drunk.
• Tries to solve problems by drinking.
• Experiences changes in personality; may become loud, angry or violent or silent, remote or reclusive.
• Drinks when they shouldn't such as before driving, going to class or work.
• Causes others problems, such as harm to self, family, friends or strangers.

Alcoholism

An alcoholic typically:

• Spends a lot of time thinking about drinking and planning where and when to get the next drink.
• Keeps bottles hidden for quick pick-me-ups.
• Starts drinking without conscious planning and loses awareness of the amount consumed.
• Denies drinking.
• Drinks alone.
• Needs to drink before facing a stressful situation.
• May have "blackouts" – cannot remember what he or she did while drinking, although he or she may have appeared normal to people at the time.
• Goes from having hangovers to more dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens (DTs), a sudden and potentially fatal change in mental and nervous-system function.
• Has or causes major problems – with police, an employer, family, or friends.

Last reviewed: November 2018