I believe there are many factors that contribute to alcohol problems in teens. While there will always be those in any age group who feel the need to gorge themselves on this potentially harmful liquid, I feel that many teens would choose another route if it were offered to them.

Most teens feel lonely, disillusioned, and disconnected from their peers and the world around them. They don't realize that what they are feeling is normal, that all of their friends feel the same way. They are looking for anything to cling to, to make them feel more normal and mainstream. That is why peer pressure is so volatile.

Teens, searching for acceptance, drink for one of three reasons. Fitting in is a major issue for most teenagers. They feel alone and disassociated. Drinking, they feel, is the way to make them fit in with other teens. While it makes them feel accepted, it can also lead to a more empty feeling. This can, in turn, encourage more drinking and sometimes drug use. However, this can be curbed in most instances. Getting your teenagers involved in activities outside of school is a big help. Theaters are always looking for volunteers for set and costume production. There are sports, church groups, and many other ways of getting teenagers involved. With involvement comes self-esteem.

Some teenagers feel that their life isn't as good as it should be. They feel abandoned and isolated, and they want to forget about their troubles. Drinking is their way of doing just that. However, letting them know that they are not alone, that life does get better, will improve their chances of staying drug and alcohol free.

Many teens simply try alcohol as an experiment. Keeping it forbidden often makes a teen want to keep trying it, even if they don't like it. While many people think it's a bad idea, my family gave me alcohol. Growing up we always had wine at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Of course, as young children, it was mixed with sprite to seven-up. Also, there was always more soda than alcohol in the mix. However, this approach raised children who not only knew about alcohol, we weren't always itching to get our hands on it. As we got older, our wine was no longer mixed. We were even allowed to try wine coolers and a few mixed drinks. The rule was that we were allowed these "treats" as long as we stayed home with them. The theory behind this was that if we were drinking at home, supervised, then we weren't in danger and drinking elsewhere.

I can't say that every teen falls neatly into one of these categories, and I can't say that these solutions will help all teens. Nothing is better for your child then love, understanding, and acceptance in such a difficult time.

Learn more about this author, Shyla Martin.
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