The pressure to drink The pressure to drink (June 04, 2004)

Three teens say what they think about alcohol

With graduation parties and summer vacation parties upon us, it is increasingly likely that some teenagers will engage in underage drinking. It's no secret that teens drink -- and might get in trouble for it: at least 19 students were suspended from Los Altos High recently because they were caught drinking alcohol during school-sponsored trips.

In light of these situations, we chose to highlight the motivations and pressures that teens feel to drink alcohol. These articles are intended to present a clear and honest view of teens' alcohol-related behaviors, as well as to explain the reasons and risks behind teenage drinking. The articles are not intended to condone underage alcohol abuse.

Drinking to fit in

By Brady Ruebusch, senior at Bellarmine Preparatory School

Regardless of whether a teen decides to actually drink, alcohol will somehow affect his or her high school experience. For those who participate in underage drinking, why do they do it? Why do they risk losing everything they have worked so hard for?

The primary reason for teen drinking can be traced to one word: socializing. At almost every party a high school student attends, there is alcohol. Many students drink at these parties because they don't want to feel left out and be the sober one who is forced to deal with everyone else being drunk.

Other teens drink at parties because it seems easier to down a bottle of beer or a shot of vodka than to say "No" to the numerous people offering them drinks. And if a teen decides to stay sober for the night, typically at least one in three people will ask him, "Aren't you drinking?"

Some teens drink because it loosens them up enough to feel comfortable to do things they would not otherwise do. Still others drink to forget about the bad parts of life or to celebrate the good parts of life.

But very few teens drink by themselves. It is a social thing to do, just like when adults go to a bar or club to hang out. Alcohol gives teens and adults alike the excuse to be as ridiculous as they want with their friends.

Many teenagers drink to conform, to avoid the battle of not drinking, to reduce their inhibitions, to relax and escape the pain in their lives, or to celebrate. Deciding whether or not to drink requires teens to consider the social aspects and the risks involved. And yet, the fact remains that those teenagers who choose not to drink will still be surrounded by those who do.

Having fun without alcohol

By Chris Perry, senior at St. Francis High School

During the past four years at Saint Francis High School, I cheered the team on at football games, went to dances, starred in rally skits, and of course, went to parties.

I am always out with friends and rarely home on weekend nights. High school has been a lot of fun, and I am taking a lot of great memories with me to college next fall. But I have defied the stereotype of Saint Francis High School students. Even though I have attended numerous events at which alcohol has been present, I have chosen not to drink.

All too often it seems teenagers turn to alcohol as a crutch; they feel that it is essential to having fun and to fitting in. At a lot of high school parties, the only focal point is drinking.

But I have been to parties where my peers are getting wasted and I can still have a great time without feeling left out. I am an outgoing individual who can have fun and be crazy without getting drunk, and my friends respect that.

As president of my school's Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (SODA) club, my main goal was to show that you can have an excellent social life without drinking.

In high school, there is a clear peer pressure to drink. But when most of your social life revolves around getting wasted, and most of your memories of good times with your friends are fogged by alcohol, that is when you have truly missed out on a part of your high school experience.

Going through high school without drinking may not always be the easiest decision, but in my opinion, it has been an extremely worthwhile one. And even if it is a decision that you have chosen not to make, please respect your friends and peers who have.

Alcohol makes you fat

By Barbara Wright, senior at Los Altos High School

As a senior headed off to college next fall, I am well aware of the dreaded "Freshman Fifteen," that infamous inevitable weight gain. Most people attribute this to two factors of college life: dorm food and alcohol consumption. Food is necessary to life; we have to eat. However, contrary to the belief of many, alcohol consumption during college is not necessary. Thus, prevention of a beer belly starts with one simple rule: don't drink!

So why does drinking alcohol add pounds? There are two main reasons. First of all, drinking makes thinking and decision-making harder. When inebriated, the only consequence of five pieces of supreme pizza seems to be a full stomach and a lingering taste of grease. Somehow the drinker forgets the caloric content of the pizza.

In addition, alcohol itself is loaded with calories. Beer, the most popular beverage among college students, contains between 100 calories in low-carb/light versions to 190 calories in the original varieties. At a party, a typical college student will drink three or more beers.

Even more caloric are the popular "alcopops," flavored malt beverages geared toward those who don't like the taste of alcohol. These sweet spirits hold between 250 and 290 calories per bottle.

Some prefer hard liquor, thinking it has less effect on their midlines. However, one shot of hard liquor contains between 60 and 100 calories. If you drink a few of these, in terms of calories, you've just eaten a meal.

No matter the type of alcohol, we're talking calories. Six-packs of beers do not build six-pack abs.
Statistics from: www.calorie-counter.net/nutrition-calories-in-alcohol.htm and www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/calorie_counter/alcohol.htm.

RESOURCES FOR TEENS

Safe Ride, a program of the American Red Cross, at Mountain View High School

Peer Counseling at Mountain View High School

SODA (Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol) Club at St. Francis High School

Drug and Alcohol Free Club at Los Altos High School

ALANON (408) 379-1051

Alcoholics Anonymous (408) 374-8511

Narcotic Anonymous (800) 711-6375

Substance Abuse Hotline (800) 662-HELP

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