*Student names were changed for their privacy.

Adolescence can feel like a constant barrage of moralized choices. From who you want to be, to what sports do you want to pick up, all while tempted by the illicit markers of maturity. On the eve of adulthood, it can be hard to resist the siren song of drugs and alcohol. For Abby*, a senior in high school, she has struggled with her controversial decision to be an underage drinker. 

 “I remember last year someone drank too much, and then they got a DUI,” Abby said. “That’s going to be on the record forever because they were 18 at the time, and colleges can see that. It has definitely made me more wary of drinking because I know I could do stuff I’ll regret, and I’ve heard all these horror stories from other people about getting black-out drunk at parties and throwing up, and they need aid, but they don’t know anyone.”

Her experience is often portrayed as normal in movies. Alcohol often represents the freedom that young adults seek during the transition away from childhood and into their growing independence as they head into college. 

“If the student is going through a difficult time–like a break up or an issue with their friend group–they might choose to experiment as a way to ‘relax,’ not recognizing the long-term repercussions of their decision,” Madison Social Worker Amy Caccamo said.

There is an expectation of underage drinking in the media, but that doesn’t represent reality.

“I think in movies and TV, and adult culture, there’s too much [of an] attitude of underage drinking being okay,​” Monica Wong (’26) said. “And I guess [for] adults it is, in moderation. But I think [the perception of underage drinking as normal] starts with how we represent teens in the media.”

Contrary to what is shown, Jane* describes a very different experience of the drinking options as a junior. 

“[The] party life at Madison I would say it’s pretty minimal… there’s obviously parties on special events like Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s, [but] just like specific events,” Jane said. “There’s a lot of pressure behind drinking alcohol, but it’s definitely a choice… I’ve experienced friends who I’ve hung out with [who drink], but I feel like more parties at Madison [don’t have lots of alcohol], like there’s only been I’d say two this year that [have been] huge ragers.”

However, some reports show that the rates of high school alcohol consumption have dramatically fallen. In 2010, 45% of students reported having used alcohol at least once, but in 2024 that figure dropped sharply to 15%, according to the 2024 FCPS Youth Survey. Only 5% of students ever become regular drinkers. What has lingered on is the teenage perception that being part of a group means drinking alcohol. Especially as underage drinking has been a standard of high school culture for decades.

“I’d say the driving factor that’s causing people to want to participate in drinking alcohol is because it’s the social standard,” Jane said. “I guess in our society today, especially for us in high school…the standard and the pressure of ‘you should be [drinking]’ is considered the norm.”

But there is also pressure to act more responsibly and take on more activities and harder classes. This added pressure starts to weigh on people, ultimately leading them to seek an escape. In 2024, the American Psychological Association states that part of the growing mental health crisis in young people is due to the “achievement culture” promulgated by American society. Part of that comes from pressure to get into a good college, and some of it stems from the need to maintain a certain image, especially given the comparisons inherent in the world of social media. These pressures can be amplified in the Northern Virginia bubble.

“People often think about drinking and drug abuse as more prevalent or dangerous in a low-income environment. However, that is not the case,” Caccamo said. “The ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality often seen in affluent, competitive environments can lead to increased drug or alcohol use to manage stress, cope with burnout or maintain a high performance lifestyle.” 

Without concrete mental health resources, some teens turn to alcohol to help themselves relax. In recent months, friends of Abby’s have been increasingly concerned that her dabbling plays into self-destructive patterns. After all, alcohol takes away the constant need to be in control of yourself.

“Parties tend to have a lot of alcohol, and the focus is just trying to get as drunk as possible without getting caught,” Abby said.

Once students get into drinking and drugs, it can be hard to escape, especially as it can often be seen as embarrassing to ask for help. At Madison, however, there are support systems in place for students struggling with drug issues, specifically psychologists and two social workers to help with underlying mental health issues.

“As a school social worker, I can be a safe sounding board and connect students and families to effective treatment,” Caccamo said. “It’s okay to make a mistake — even several mistakes. We are here to listen and guide students through the process of accepting [the consequences of their mistakes].”

Another specialist involved in these systems at Madison is the Substance Abuse Prevention (SAP) specialist Mike McNulty. He runs informational programs at every level of the Madison Pyramid school systems that focus on educating people on drug abuse in teens. Furthermore, when a drug problem does present itself, it is his job to connect with the students and help those referred to him. After spending 20 years working in a youth correctional facility with severe substance abuse cases, he was motivated to try to connect with students before they reach the point of needing full-time care and rehabilitation, which led him to where he is today.​

“I get a lot of referrals when it comes to tobacco and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); sometimes you get the alcohol approach if there are certain events, but it’s never one over the other,” McNulty said. “[After I get a referral,] I meet with the students. We do some psychoeducation. We start with brain development and having better decisions if you’re in a position or situation where substances present themselves.”

He focuses on discussing with students the harmful effects of nicotine, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and opioids. While opioids aren’t a common problem in Madison according to McNulty, he is required to discuss them due to the national crisis. His conversations with students focus on helping them understand the damage their activities do to themselves.

“Some students can be very receptive,” McNulty said. “Some learn new things. Sometimes we talk about myths or misconceptions, about what they heard or what they see on social media. And some just kind of want to get through the process.”

​His job can be as simple as dispelling myths–like that of the infamous permanent record, which consists of legal documentation of issues but, typically, is not actually sent to colleges. But it can also mean talking to parents and their kids about their worries after something bad has happened, with his main goal being to prevent further issues for the student without resorting to fear tactics.

“I get the concern, like, how much is this decision going to impact the school? How are they going to see them differently? I always try to tell the kids, if they do get an infraction, make sure it’s your only infraction, right?” McNulty said. 

Sometimes, all a student really needs in order to take responsibility for their choices is knowing that there is someone they can reach out to and talk to.​

“[My interventions] also just remind them that, you know, you do have support services here in school as well as outside of school.” McNulty said.

But he also recognizes that sometimes there are many factors at play, and it’s never just one issue that causes the difficult behavior. However, when students know someone is watching out for them, it can prevent them from making bad decisions in the first place. Despite the services FCPS provides, sometimes students need a level of care that the school system simply cannot provide. While the process varies depending on an individual’s family situation, the first step is to find out whether a child is insured and which programs the insurance agency will cover.

“Throughout our conversation and referral, we can help someone connect with the services outside school.” McNulty said. 

Treatment is particularly hard for alcohol because of its use as a self-medicant. Students struggling with untreated and unaddressed executive dysfunction, such as ADHD or mental health issues, can turn to alcohol as a way to manage their behavior and mood. The Teen Mind Institute in 2024 explains when alcohol is used as a substitute for real treatment individuals can become dependent on it. Substances then act as a crutch they don’t know how to exist without. Once the alcohol use does become a problem, treatment for alcoholism is made exponentially harder because the struggles that lead to self-medication still exist, and if they get treated for their ADHD or depression, there is still a craving for the drug. The mental health struggles are interwoven with their dependence.

“It’s a coping mechanism. However, it’s a poor one that can lead to significant consequences in their school, social and private lives.” Caccamo said.

One driving change in the last few decades is the understanding of the science behind the effects of drugs on the brain. An National Institute of Health (NIH) study in 2022 states underage drinking is a public health concern and a leading cause of disability and mortality during adolescence. High-risk alcohol consumption is associated with adverse outcomes like car accidents, high-risk sexual activity and mental health challenges, all of which are made worse by the critical brain development teens go through. Alcohol consumption harms neurocognition with impairments in attention, verbal learning, visuospatial processing and memory.

With the growing awareness of the health risks, many choose not to partake in the behavior. Sean* is someone who is personally against the practice despite having a sibling who partied regularly and some acquaintances who also enjoyed drinking on occasion.

“I don’t see the point. It’s like, you can have fun without it, and I feel like it’s just not good for you,” Sean said. “I also think alcohol tastes absolutely terrible, I actually can’t stand it” 

When asked why he believed those close to him took drugs or alcohol, Sean said, “[People do it] ’cause it’s addictive and they started it and they can’t stop. I never really got into it, and so like I just kinda try to stay away from that stuff…I feel like drugs and alcohol are easy to get into.”

Despite the falling rates of underage drinking, there is still risk for the community as a whole.

“Anyone can be at risk for any decision they make…so your poor decision can put you at a little bit of risk, and your poor decision puts you at a higher risk,” McNulty said. “So it’s like there’s risk everywhere.”

Despite conflicting perceptions, underage drinking is happening at Madison, but it’s not as prevalent as might be believed by watching movies or asking drinkers. Even when it does happen, what makes a difference for students is adults willing to be there for them when they are struggling.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of, you know, altercations myself when it came down to football games, and I’ve always had someone to talk to, especially when it comes to the administration at Madison,” Brian* said. “And I feel like having a good administration that’s willing to listen to you and hear you out and not be judgmental while they’re listening to you is very, very important because, you know, kids need someone like that.”

​Regardless of where a student is currently at, they are not unrecoverable. In 2022, the NIH found that even adults with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) see improvements in attention and concentration after just two to eight weeks of abstinence. For most, alcohol’s effects on the brain aren’t necessarily permanent. 

“Every minute of every day is an opportunity to reset and make a different decision,” Caccamo said. “Many students struggle with substance use, and I’ve been able to connect some of them with treatment. Some are successful and some are not.” 

Those struggling with mental health issues or AUDs can email Madison social worker Amy Caccamo and Substance Abuse Prevention specialist  Mike McNulty through their FCPS emails or in a crisis call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.