In the following chapter, relevant background information on alcohol consumption in adolescence is presented. The prevalence, consumption patterns, drinking motives and consequences of alcohol consumption among children and adolescents are described, as well as criteria for the recognition of risky alcohol consumption. Three models of the development and maintenance of risky alcohol consumption are presented, which take particular account of the developmental characteristics of consumption in adolescence. Furthermore, the theoretical assumptions and conceptualization of Motivational Interviewing are presented and current research findings on the effectiveness of alcohol-related motivational brief interventions for adolescents are reported.