There has been a notable decline in adolescent drinking in developed nations over the past two decades. Understanding the reasons behind this positive downward trend will help professionals support the continuation of this decline into the future.

A recent systematic review, published in the Addiction Research & Theory, has examined potential factors that have contributed to fewer adolescents consuming alcohol.

The researchers proposed the following potential explanations for declines in youth drinking:

• Changing social norms
• Substitution with other substances
• Changes in parental...