Teenagers drink to rebel. Part of being a teenager is rebelling against what their parents or caregivers tell them what to do.

But when an angry teenager drinks they can become more angry and aggressive. This could have disastrous results.

Teenagers drink to look cool: Teenagers want to fit in and to be part of the crowd.

They often lack self-confidence and alcohol works quickly to get rid of feelings of inferiority.

Teenagers drink to escape: Teenagers often feel frustrated, anxious about how socially acceptable they are, depressed, angry, etc.
Alcohol is a means of escaping this.

Teenagers drink because they are bored: Some teenagers get bored easily and crave constant excitement and even dander. Teens drink because of peer pressure: This is one of the biggest reasons that teens drink.

If their friends drink and they don’t, they run the risk of looking like a nerd. It’s also sometimes the way to join a “cool” group or be one of the crowd.

Teenagers drink because they have no sense of hope: With only half our youth living in a two-parent household, the prospect of 25 percent to 35 percent unemployment and only a small percentage of school leavers finding jobs, the South African teenager faces an uncertain future.

The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.