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What Factors Influence Alcohol Abuse in Teenage Girls?

According to the Mental Health Channel, the DSM-IV states that alcohol abuse leads to a significant period of distress evident by recurrent legal problems, inability to fulfill an obligation, driving impairment or persistent social concerns. The factors which contribute to adolescent girls abusing alcohol, are both internal and external and can improve through counseling and monitored behavior.

  1. Depression

    • According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, depression can trigger higher abuse of alcohol in adolescent girls. Girls tend to admit to using alcohol to escape from emotional problems stemming from family and peer groups. In a state of mild or severe depression, the adolescent girl may turn to alcohol to improve her mood.

    Peer Pressure

    • Significant pressure to fit in with friends exists for a teenage girl. Alcohol may work as a social lubrication to help the girl feel more comfortable in her surroundings. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, girls may drink for the purpose of being like her friends while boys are not as likely to drink for these reasons. Once the girl begins to drink to help her in social situations, she may need more and more alcohol to feel secure in her surroundings.

    Older Boys

    • Many teenage girls get involved romantically or physically with older boys, who may be over 21 and able to drink. Therefore, he may take his teenage girlfriend to parties that involve drinking. As she begins to feel comfortable in these surroundings, alcohol abuse may occur.

    Weight Concerns

    • According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, a girl who considers herself overweight is more likely to abuse alcohol. A girl who has positive self-esteem when it comes to her weight is not as likely to abuse alcohol. The media presents girls who drink alcohol as sexy. Overweight girls tend to desire a body and life similar to the woman drinking alcohol who she sees on television or in magazines.

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