Alcohol consumption among adolescents is among the problems that have received respectable attention from researchers due to its increase. In the United States as well as other countries, underage drinking has become a widespread problem with often far-reaching consequences. Teens who binge drink are likely exposed to other dangers, such as psychological problems, alcohol-related accidents, and violent crimes. The growing prevalence of this problem makes it imperative to understand the contributing factors, which can aid in policy formulation. There are various factors that can increase the chances of teens starting to binge drink. Some of the factors are socioeconomic, which can be modified to deter adolescents from alcohol abuse. Binge drinking can be caused by various personal, social and economic factors; the practice could have substantial effects on the lives of adolescents, possibly even leading to death. Peer pressure is one of the main causes of binge eating. Most high school students who binge drink are usually in the company of others. Peers have a significant influence on adolescent behavior (Kemp 49). Individuals who deviate from certain behaviors considered “cool” by adolescents are likely to be influenced to comply to avoid being excluded. Drinking among teenagers has become very common to the point that they can consider it a part of their life. Most of them believe that drinking will give them a good feeling, regardless of the potential effects it could have on their lives. Binge drinking with peers gives them the appearance of engaging in “normal” behavior. Some of them are driven to the habit of drinking out of curiosity by stories told to them by friends. The other cause that can increase the... middle of paper... conducted revealed that binge eating can have substantial effects that can even lead to death. The ability to pursue life goals can be compromised by excessive alcohol consumption by adolescents. With knowledge of the causes it is possible to formulate interventions to combat the problem. Works Cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and public health: fact sheets - Alcohol consumption by minors. December 26, 2013. Web March 25, 2014. Health and Human Services. June 2013: Drinking in excess: teenagers and alcohol. December 6, 2013. Web March 25, 2014Heffernan, T, et al. “Does binge drinking in adolescents affect their future daily memory?” Drug and Alcohol Addiction 109.1 (2010): 73 - 78. PrintKemp, Jeff. Be a parent, not a friend. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press, 2010. Lessa, Nicholas. Living with alcoholism and drug addiction. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2009.