Disentangling the role of social cognition processes at early steps of alcohol abuse: The influence of affective theory of mind

•Alcohol use and binge drinking in adolescence are important public health concerns.•Research has explored the psychological factors related to early alcohol abuse.•Few studies have investigated the role of social cognition.•We evaluated empathy and theory of mind to predict early alcohol abuse.•Affective theory of mind predicted specific binge drinking in adolescents.