In fact, alcohol is the leading cause of death and injury among teenagers in the United States, often from driving after drinking. Teenagers may be under intense pressure to drink. Not only are many of their friends pushing them to drink, but alcohol is widely advertised, and these ads are particularly appealing to young people. Alcohol is, in fact, the drug of choice for most teens. When young people see their parents or hero figures drinking, they naturally assume that drinking is a normal part of everyday life.
Problems can begin when the legal drinking habit becomes a dangerous addiction.
The best way to prevent alcoholism is not to start drinking at all. Short of banning all alcohol from the house, it is wise to keep alcohol in an infrequently used and inaccessible area, under lock and key. This will also help prevent accidental alcohol poisoning of toddlers and very young children. Even if you do not buy alcohol and clearly forbid your teenager to drink it, he or she can easily find ways of getting alcohol. No one can stop an alcoholic from drinking.