BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE DO
Many teenagers say that they drink for social reasons, such as getting to know new friends. The number of people who drink in their social circle plays a big part too, but recent research shows that those who feel peer pressure when it comes to alcohol often drink less than other teenagers.
BECAUSE YOU THINK IT’S EXPECTED OF YOU
Norms and expectations affect us – whether we’re 14 or 44 years old – and in our teens, the desire to fit in can be particularly strong. If your friends drink, you might want to bring your own bottle to the party too, so people don’t think you’re weird.
"You’re scared that if you don’t drink people will slag you off to others. Tell them that you’re boring, stuff like that".
Petrus aged 16, Göteborg
TO GIVE ADULTHOOD A TRY
When you’re a teenager, you often want to feel like an adult, not a child. You’ve seen adults drinking since you were small, if not at home, then in films and on TV.
So it’s hardly surprising that they’re curious about how it tastes and what it feels like being drunk. But if you think about it, there aren’t that many adult things that teenagers can do. Alcohol, on the other hand, is an adult thing that teenagers can get ahold of and try out.
TO HAVE FUN AND FOR COURAGE
Many teenagers who drink alcohol say that they like how it feels and that alcohol makes things more fun. Alcohol can also feel like something that makes you feel a bit braver and a bit more attractive. And if things don’t quite work out as you hoped, you can always blame the alcohol.
BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE PART OF LIFE
Most adults in Sweden drink alcohol, and it’s common for people to drink in films and TV shows, while on social media, young people are bombarded with pictures of drinks in the sunset. And young people are exposed to alcohol advertising, despite the ban on marketing alcohol products to people under the age of 25.
Given how often young people see alcohol in a variety of contexts, it’s hardly surprising that they it as a natural part of life.
"You drink to try something new and to see what it’s like being drunk".
Adrian, aged 15, Umeå
BECAUSE THEY DON’T FEEL GOOD
Young people who say they don’t feel good about themselves and their lives drink more often and in bigger quantities than the rest of their age group. And teenagers can actually end up feeling worse as a direct result of their drinking. If you’re worried that your teenager is unhappy and is drinking, you’ll find more information and support here.