Consumption of alcohol by a person younger than the legal drinking age, which is 21 years old in most states and 18 in the remainder. Since alcohol is widely available, it is the drug most likely to be abused by adolescents, who often face peer pressure to drink illegally. It is estimated that as many as 7 of every 10 high school seniors have used alcohol during the previous month, even though such use is illegal. Overall, 5 to 7 of every 100 adolescents are alcoholics, and as many as 20 are problem drinkers who become intoxicated 6 or more times a year or have repeated, negative consequences as a result of drinking, such as arrest for driving while intoxicated, poor academic performance, or family conflicts.
The consumption of alcohol under a legally specified age, usually before one’s 21st birthday.