Objective: To determine alcohol use among high school students from a school in a city of Ceara state, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study with quantitative approach carried out in a public school with 166 high school students, using as a research instrument a semi structured questionnaire. The data were organized into tables and analyzed according to the literature on the topic. Results: The prevalence of alcohol use was observed in 98 (59.0%) students. The first drink occurred in 58 (59.2%) respondents between 13 and 15 years, and in 51 (51.9%) of those motivated by peer pressure. We characterized the frequency of monthly consumption of alcohol (one or two times) in 73 respondents(72.5%) and in 24 (24.5%) of those there was prejudice to school activities. We observed positive screening for alcohol abuse or dependence in 37 students (37%). Conclusion: The prevalence of alcohol use was similar to other studies, but positive screening for alcohol abuse or dependence was high compared to other populations studied, indicating the need to intensify the studies and public policies to combat alcoholism.