Research suggests that experimentation with alcohol often begins during early adolescence, typically around the ages of 12 to 14. This period coincides with the transition to middle school or junior high school for many young people.

Peer influence plays a significant role in the initiation of alcohol use. Adolescents may start drinking alcohol earlier if they have friends or peers who drink, as social dynamics and peer pressure can influence behavior during this developmental stage.

Family factors, including parental attitudes toward alcohol, parental monitoring, and family history of alcohol use, also influence the age at which individuals start drinking. Adolescents who grow up in families where alcohol use is normalized or where parents have permissive attitudes toward alcohol may be more likely to start drinking at a younger age.

Access to alcohol is another important factor. Adolescents who have easy access to alcohol at home or through social networks may be more likely to start drinking at a younger age compared to those who do not have such access.

Cultural norms and societal attitudes toward alcohol can influence the age of alcohol initiation. In some cultures, alcohol consumption is a socially accepted behavior, and individuals may start drinking at earlier ages compared to cultures where alcohol use is less prevalent or more stigmatized.