Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are:
•curiosity
•to feel good, reduce stress, and relax
•to fit in
•to feel older
From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life — and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially — having beer or wine with dinner, for example — alcohol seems harmless to many teens.