Dante was a sixteen year old high school junior who was manifesting quite a few alcohol-related issues at school. Therefore, the principal told him that he had to see Miss Johnson, the school counselor, before he would be permitted to return to class.

Later that afternoon when Dante went home after school, he had to go over his school situation with his Mother and Father. His parents were “fairly traditional” and told Dante that getting expelled from school was not a tolerable educational game plan. They explained to Dante that failing to graduate from high school would most probably be like a lead weight around his feet that may harm his educational achievement for the rest of his adult life. Moreover, Dante’s parents were quite unhappy that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his pals in the second.

His parents informed Dante that even though he may be an adolescent, he has to realize fairly swiftly that drinking is the pathway to pain, failure, financial problems, and ill health.

It was obvious that his Mom and Dad were out and out in full accord with Dante’s principal and explained to Dante that he needs to see Miss Johnson, the school therapist. After his conversation with his parents, Dante in the end agreed to see Miss Johnson the next school day. So Dante called the school and scheduled an appointment to see Miss Johnson the next day during his second period class.

The Psychologist Asks Dante if He Comprehends Why His Recent Alcohol-Related Behavior gave the School Administrators Room For Alarm

When Dante went to see Miss Johnson, she immediately examined all of the alcohol-related issues Dante had gotten into and asked him if he knew why his recent alcohol-related behavior gave the school administrators room for alarm.

Quite candidly, Dante questioned why the principal suggested that he see a school counselor. As he stated to Miss Johnson, why should he see a professional psychologist about his drinking activities? Because almost all of his friends drink as much if not more than he does, basically, drinking is no big thing. Stated more explicitly, if nearly everyone is drinking, why is this such a big thing?

Miss Johnson asked Dante when he started to drink. He said that some of his older friends introduced him to drinking wine coolers when he was twelve or thirteen years old and in the seventh grade.

Miss Johnson told Dante that while his pals may in fact drink as much as he does and that they may be an unhealthy influence on him, the facts are that he is the one who is getting suspended from school due to alcohol-related absenteeism, fighting, and delinquency, not his classmates. Furthermore, Miss Johnson also underlined the fact that Dante, and not his pals, is the one who is failing and who is missing almost two days of school every week because of his alcohol related issues. Lastly, Miss Johnson emphasized the fact that because of his drinking behavior, Dante is getting into a dangerous cycle of abusive drinking that can in time ruin his hopes, dreams and aspirations.

In a word, Dante’s involvement with teenage alcohol abuse was starting to thwart his ability to behave like a responsible young man. As conveyed by Miss Johnson, “Just because most of your buddies drink beer, wine, wine coolers, or hard liquor does not mean that it is the correct behavior for you.”

Dante Learns That Eventually He Must Take Responsibility For Himself In Order to Stay Away From Damaging, Destructive, Dangerous, and Unhealthy Outcomes In the Future

Miss Johnson told Dante that one’s friends can unquestionably influence an individual in an unhealthy manner, but that the person himself or herself has to in due course be accountable for herself or himself in order to avoid unhealthy, damaging, destructive, and dangerous outcomes in the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, Miss Johnson was very well prepared for her scheduled time with Dante. She showed him reports and research studies she had highlighted that summarized different drinking statistics and facts that applied to most people in general. Then she showed Dante quite a lot of information that applied particularly to teenagers.

For example, Miss Johnson emphasized the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse and explained to Dante that drinkers who continue to drink in an excessive manner frequently become alcoholic.

Miss Johnson also went over the concept of binge drinking which she defined as follows: ingesting five or more drinks in one sitting for males and consuming four or more drinks in one sitting for females.

The Psychologist Conveys Several Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse Facts and Statistics

Then Miss Johnson listed various alcohol facts and the following eight alcohol abuse statistics:

1. As demonstrated in one study, around 11% of 8th-graders, 22% of 10th-graders, and 27% of 12th-graders reported that they engaged in hazardous drinking.

2. Between 48% and 64% of the people who pass away in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.

3. Children who are drinking alcohol by 7th grade are more probable to exhibit delinquent behavior, substance abuse, and academic problems in both high school and junior high school.

4. In the U.S., more than 50% of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are related to alcohol.

5. In the U.S. among drivers between the ages of 15 and 20, fatal accidents involving a single vehicle at night are three times more likely to be alcohol-related than to other fatal accidents.

6. In the United States, more than 40 percent of the people who start drinking before the age of 13 will develop alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse at some time in their lives.

7. In the U.S, by the time they are seniors in high school, 80% of teens have tried alcohol and 62% have been intoxicated.

8. Treatment for alcohol addiction has been demonstrated to reduce criminal activity up to 80% among chronic offenders, has increased their rate of employment, decreased their homelessness, and reduced their health care costs.

Dante Gets A Meaningful Primer on the Facts About the Short Term and the Long Term Results of Teenage Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

After Miss Johnson went over the aforementioned alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse statistics and facts, it was plain to see that what Miss Johnson taught Dante was a real jolt to him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only took the time to go over the long term and the short term outcomes of alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, but she also took the time to validate what she was saying with alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse statistics and facts that related to everyone, and principally to teenagers.

Without a doubt, it was almost as if a light went on and Dante instantly understood why he should not be engaging in hazardous and excessive drinking with or without his pals anymore. Dante thanked Miss Johnson for her concern and for the information she went over.

Miss Johnson then asked Dante how he felt about getting a physical examination and an alcohol assessment for the alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction rehab he would probably need.

Dante thought about this for few minutes and then agreed to get a complete physical and to go through an extensive evaluation of his drinking situation so that he could start an alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction treatment program as reasonable as possible.