TEEN Perspective: Why Teens Drink and Why You Don’t Have To

The following post was written by ADAPT’s West Region Youth Leader Varun Ravi

Teenagers typically abuse drugs and alcohol when they are at parties with their friends. At such parties, everyone wants to have fun and relieve all the stresses of their lives by making the most out of the moment. Especially in recent years, the word “fun” has become almost an equivalent to the word “alcohol.” So many people our age perceive alcohol and drugs as the only way to have fun at parties and usually find non-alcoholic parties as “uncool.” There are many ways to enjoy yourself without resorting to substance abuse, no matter if you are with friends or by yourself.

When teens are asked what they spend most of their time doing, the answer usually is something along the lines of “Hanging out with my friends.” At our age, having friends means everything to us, and we base our activities and our outward behavior on what they will think. Friends can be exceptionally positive forces in our lives, as they provide companionship and guidance through some of the twists and turns life throws at us. When it comes to enjoyment, teens resort to hanging out with their friends, which often evolves into larger party scenes characterized by drinking. Simply put, peer pressure is a major factor when it comes to teenage drinking.

What are alternatives to drinking? To begin with, sit down and ask yourself the question, “What do I enjoy doing?” You have to understand exactly what your hobbies are and then identify why they provide you so much enjoyment. For some people, relaxation and leisure is best spent outdoors exercising. If you are a former underage drug abuser, try getting more fresh air and venturing into parks, beaches, and other areas that can get your mind off of drugs and alcohol. If you are not such an outdoorsy person, then you could just as well spend your time reading books, playing video games, or spending time with family. All of these are viable alternatives to drinking with your friends.

You can take the first steps to helping yourself and your friends live a drug-free life!