You’re close to becoming a teenager.
You’re set to be faced with new challenges and adventures.
Growth is an ebb and flow of moments.
We learn and experience all differently.
As we get older, we are introduced to new experiences.
It could be your first late night party.
It could be the first time you feel a crush for the opposite sex.
Perhaps, it’s the first time your friends are encouraging you to drink.
You may think this is cool at first, but it’s important to approach with caution.
Kids grow into their early teens and we become more aware of the decisions we face.
I was about fifteen years old when I had my first drink.
I started to attend high school parties in my freshmen year.
I wanted to meet more people and branch out from my normal routine.
My social skills weren’t the best and I didn’t feel like I belonged.
I thought drinking would help me loosen up and have fun.
At first everything was fine as I started to drink socially.
I felt like I had the freedom to be myself.
However, I wanted to keep up with the friends around me.
At times I would force myself to drink more than I should.
At a young age, this may seem fun at first.
Nevertheless, you are putting yourself at greater risk of harm.
The older I got, the more I drank at social gatherings.
Eventually it turned into a point where I would start to drink alone.
I would have a hard day at work and continue to drink until my bed time.
I developed a small addiction and became dependent on alcohol to help me be myself.
I had convinced myself that alcohol had enhanced my confidence.
I was only putting my health at greater risk.
You’re growing up and will be faced with new decisions to make in your life.
You’re finding yourself and your identity.
Be yourself, but stay cautious at the same time.
You grew up learning about right from wrong.
Life gives us challenges for a reason.
You may be in middle school being told alcohol and drugs are cool.
You may be told all your friends are participating.
Peer pressure is something that happens to all of us.
It is key in middle school and high school to find the proper friends.
Perhaps if I was smarter, I could have been healthier with my drinking.