 Why are teens turning up at Marin General after a night out with their friends? Because they’re escaping stress, having fun or trying to fit in, and they don’t know their limits.
Binge drinking to the point of becoming unconscious is a recent epidemic that’s escalating. Parents call me because their teen was taken to the hospital after blacking out during a slumber party where they had access to alcohol. I’ve been a teen therapist for 20 years, and I’m stunned by the stories I hear. The combination of the internet, social and academic pressure and easy access to alcohol is putting teens over the edge. What’s a parent to do? Unfortunately, because experimentation is so common, it’s normalized. “Everyone’s doing it.” “I can’t find any friends who don’t drink.” These are statements I here from teens after a trip to the emergency room. |
