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Why Do Teens Drink?

While addressing issues like teen drinking, it’s important to remember that drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. Drinking has been part of the American culture throughout most of its history. The primary reason there are drinking age restrictions is that lawmakers decided anyone handling the effects of alcohol needed a certain level of maturity. So, why do teens drink? We are going to explore the answer to that question in the following sections. If you have any questions about teen alcohol addiction treatment, please reach out to Destinations for Teens today at 877.466.0620

Why Do Teens Drink?

No matter where a teenager lives, that individual will encounter a lot of stimuli in their everyday life. On a daily basis, the individual will see people drinking and having a good time. That same individual also sees a constant barrage of fun alcohol advertising on TV. It is also possible their parents have parties where alcohol is available. By the time someone confronts them about having a drink, curiosity is at peak levels. This curiosity can lead many teens to drink. As of 2019, over 7 million people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. That brings us to the question, why do teens drink? Here are a few of the primary reasons teens start drinking:

  • Experimentation and curiosity
  • Trying to fit in and be part of a social group
  • Escape from the pressures of being a teen
  • Out of defiance towards authority
  • To mask emotional problems
  • How to Deal With Teen Alcoholism

Without intervention, some teens end up with a drinking problem. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to be aware of their issues and take steps to help them when necessary. If addiction is possible, you’ll want to get them into alcohol addiction treatment at a facility like Destinations for Teens. During their time in rehab, your teen will get an opportunity to detox and work with counselors. Their primary objective will be learning about their addiction and the dangers of continuing down the path of alcoholism. At the end of treatment, your teen will hopefully walk away with a good start to recovery and a solid set of coping skills.

Dual Diagnosis Conditions in Teens

When you start to talk about why teens drink, it is important to remember why they might develop mental health issues. In fact, conditions such as depression and anxiety can increase adolescents’ likelihood of turning to alcohol when feeling distressed. The prevalence of these dual diagnosis conditions is why it is important to look closely at why teens drink. There are reasons why teens from healthy mental health backgrounds may start drinking, but an underlying mental health condition can influence their choices. Alcohol and other drug use do not happen in a vacuum. To avoid teen alcohol and substance use, we need to help teens who struggle with mental illness and addiction problems. The road to recovery will be more challenging for those struggling with both. We offer a variety of mental health treatment options, including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood disorders
  • OCD
  • ADHD

To learn more about how we can treat your child’s alcohol use and mental health concerns, please reach out to Destinations for Teens today.

Find Treatment at Destinations for Teens

Our Los Angeles facility strives to help teens recover from addictions like alcoholism. The secret of our success lies in our menu of progressive treatment options we have developed specifically for active teens. Of course, as a parent, we want you to participate in the process. Destinations forTeensՉ۪ current menu of treatment services include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dual diagnosis treatment
  • Holistic therapies such as art or yoga therapy
  • Aftercare programs for alumni
  • Inpatient and outpatient treatment

If your teen is regularly drinking, their well-being is at risk. It’s up to you to help them help themselves. If we can help you understand why teens drink, we will be happy to do so. For the answer to that and other questions, please get in touch with a Destinations for Teens representative as soon as possible. You can reach our Los Angeles facility at 877.466.0620.