Why do people start drinking alcohol? Top 10 reasons

Many people start to drink at an early age. But what factors may predict early drinking and why do people start drinking alcohol in the first place? More here.

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Why do people drink?

People drink alcohol for many reasons. But why do they start drinking at all? Here we examine the top 10 reasons why people start drinking, and ask that you leave your own reasons or responses below. If you think that you might have a problem with drinking, check out our alcoholism and drinking problem evaluation questions so that you can gauge what is normal.

People start drinking alcohol …

1. For the effect

Many people drink alcohol for the effect that alcohol has on the central nervous system. It is both a depressant and a stimulant, and drinking can result in feelings of euphoria, disorientation or a pleasurable release of tension.

2. Out of curiosity

People may drink simply to experiment with alcohol and judge whether or not drinking is for them.

3. As a reaction to the social environment

We’ve all probably experienced some type of peer pressure in our lives. In fact, almost everyone wants to fit in. Many people try alcohol when they are in a social setting where everyone else is drinking in order to feel accepted and part of the environment.

4. Because they see it modeled by others

Environmental factors, such as the influence of parents or older people, play a role in initial alcohol use. For example, parents who drink more and who view drinking favorably may have children who do the same.

5. As part of normal developmental transitions

Adolescents who are in the process of puberty (sexual maturation) and who experience more independence and freedom may drink alcohol as part of the dramatic physical, emotional and social change of adolescence. In other words, drinking is a part of self-exploration. Likewise, young people in college or university may drink alcohol during this time transition to adulthood in order to explore their own values and beliefs about alcohol.

6. To relieve stress

Some new drinkers may use alcohol as a way to escape or cope with problems. Alcohol may temporarily relieve stress and focus attention elsewhere, but the problems remain well after you stop drinking.

7. As a result of personality characteristics

People who start drinking early often share similar personality characteristics. These characteristics include:

  • aggressiveness
  • anxiousness
  • depressed
  • difficulty avoiding harm or harmful situations
  • dis-inhibition
  • disruptivity
  • hyperactivity
  • rebelliousness
  • thrill seeker
  • withdrawn

8. Because it is culturally normalized

Today alcohol is widely available and aggressively promoted through TV, film, radio, ads, and the Internet. This normalization makes alcohol use socially acceptable and normal, especially in countries or places where drinking is a part of life, like Ireland.  Why do the Irish drink so much?  This culture, for example, has drinking ingrained into the masses.

9. Because they expect a good experience

People who expect drinking to be a pleasurable experience are more likely to drink than people who do not. So, the expectation that alcohol will be fun and enjoyable may actually cause a person to start drinking.

10. Because it is accessible

Alcohol is pretty easy to get, even for teens. Family and friends are the primary sources of alcohol for kids who drink, whether knowingly or unwillingly. Local alcohol retailers may also accept fake IDs for underage drinkers. So relatively speaking and in comparison with other illicit activities, alcohol is accessible to most anyone.

 

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Reference sources: NIAAA underage drinking Alcohol Alert
Why children start drinking
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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