In reference to "My Daughter's Life and Death Struggle with Alcoholism," it discusses the reasons why teens or children might turn to alcholism.

Teens are heavily drawn to alcoholism because of neglect. Like Terry the girl who was struggling with alcoholism, thought she could gain love elsewhere. Her family was involved with her father political affairs and they drew back from one another. Like others in the world if you feel neglected you tend to go out and look for that love to fill the
empty space in your life. Like Terry, " at the age of 13 she experienced alcohol, she would drink 1 to 2 beers with her friends, boyfriend, and others to get drunk because she thought that it would make it easier for her to relate to her boyfriend. In many cases a substance is used like this to cope. Unfortunately, it only covers up a problem.

SOURCE:
Brendtro, Janna. "Terry: My Daughter's Life and Death Struggle with Alcoholism." Expanded Academic Index. Fall 2002. July 9, 2003. <http://web7.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/595/918/34400154w7/purl=16!xrn_1&bkm_17_>