Excessive 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. Teenagers who engage in binge drinking are likely to be exposed to other dangers, such as psychological problems, alcohol-related accidents, and violent crime. The increasing prevalence of this problem makes it imperative to understand the contributing factors, which can help in policy formulation. Various factors can increase the chances that adolescents will engage in excessive alcohol consumption. Some factors are socioeconomic and can be modified to deter adolescents from abusing alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can be caused by various personal, social and economic factors; this practice can have substantial effects on adolescents' lives, even leading to death. Peer pressure is one of the main causes of excessive drinking. Most high school students who binge drink are usually in the company of other people. Peers have a significant influence on adolescent behavior (Kemp 49). Individuals who deviate from certain behaviors considered “cool” by adolescents are likely to be encouraged to join the group to avoid being left out. Drinking among teenagers has become very common to the point where they may consider it a part of their lives. Most of them believe that drinking makes them feel good, without worrying about the potential effects it may have on their lives. Binge drinking with their peers makes them feel like they are engaging in “normal” behavior. Some of them are driven to drink out of curiosity because of stories their friends have told them. The other cause that could increase the ...... middle of article ...... revealed that excessive alcohol consumption can have substantial consequences. effects that can even lead to death. The ability to pursue life goals may be compromised by excessive alcohol consumption among adolescents. With knowledge of the causes, interventions can be formulated to counter the problem. Works Cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and public health: fact sheets - Underage drinking. December 26, 2013. Web March 25, 2014. Health and social services. June 2013: Excessive alcohol consumption: adolescents and alcohol. December 6, 2013. Web March 25, 2014Heffernan, T, et al. “Does adolescent binge drinking affect their daily prospective memory?” » Drug and Alcohol Dependence 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: edition of the information base, 2009.