Social, Neuroscientific and Psychological Factors that Contribute to Alcohol Use Among Teenagers

Adolescent alcohol consumption has detrimental effects on teenage physical and mental health, potentially leading to behavior problems. The habits and attitudes of individuals in school or at home, including friends or family, can influence teenage perceptions toward drinking. Specifically, teenagers may experience peer pressure from their friends to drink alcohol, which can initiate a cycle where drinking leads to increased alcohol intake and potentially alcohol use disorder, or addiction. Furthermore, factors like social media and marketing may convince teenagers to consume large amounts of alcohol as well. Additionally, certain brain regions are implicated in the development of alcohol use disorder, including the limbic (i.e., reward) system and the prefrontal cortex, among others. Lastly, alcohol can negatively affect teenagers’ executive function and increase impulsivity. This paper will discuss the factors that lead to teenage alcohol use, the neuroscience behind it, and the psychological components.