Wasted lives: the truth about teen girls and drinking: girls are proving they're equal to boys in oh-so-many ways. But does that have to include how much they drink? Sadly, girls are now drinking as much—or more—than boys. While "partying" can mean just hangin' with your crew, it often means drinking. Here are some sobering stats—and stories—about teens and alcohol

Girls' Life, Oct-Nov, 2004 by Sandy Fertman Ryan

Feel like making a snappy comeback? Here are some you can use....

* "No, thanks. Beer clashes with my perfume."

* "Sorry, I'm down to my last seven brain cells."

* "Mmmmmm ... beer. Looks like lighter fluid, tastes like pee!"

* "I already used up my daily carb allowance."

* "I don't know. The color of vomit just doesn't really go with this sweater."

* "No, thanks. My speech is already slurred."

* "Wait. Are you one of those people who goes around spending time at parties trying to get non-drinkers like me to drink?"

* "No, thanks. I'm already weird."

* "No, but if you stand really close, I think I could get a buzz off your breath."

IF YOU OR A FRIEND NEEDS HELP ...

If you or a friend thinks alcohol is becoming a problem, there are some great places to go for support....

TALK to someone you really trust, like a parent, sibling, school counselor, teacher, coach, or your minister, rabbi or reverend.

CALL Teen Line collect at 1-310-855-HOPE, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time for completely confidential support and advice from a trained teen! If you're in California, call 1-800-TLC-TEEN.

CHECK your local Yellow Pages, or call Teen Line to help you find AA meetings for teens in your area.

CONTACT your local chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) for tons of info on drinking.

SEEK treatment at a center like the Caron Foundation (1-800-678-2332) or Visions Adolescent Treatment Center (1-866-889-3665).

"I WAS A BINGE DRINKER"

by "Dominique," 19 as told to Sandy Fertman Ryan

I was in eighth grade and totally stressed because my parents had just divorced. My older sister took me to parties, and I'd drink with the older kids.

I drank until I got sick, passed out or ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. I was a total binge drinker from the start. I don't think I've ever had just two beers! By 15, I drank every weekend.

I'd funnel five beers in a row just to get high faster. I'd tell guys, "I can drink you under the table!" It was an ego thing. Drinking made me feel like I could talk to anyone and do anything. And it was fun being part of a group--even though they were all drinkers!

I lost my virginity to my boyfriend of two months, and I totally regret it. It's something you should cherish forever--and I can't even remember it. I was sexually uninhibited when I was drunk. I had unprotected sex with people I wouldn't even have kissed if I were sober. It was disgusting. I'd wake up with someone with this horrible feeling that something gross had happened. But that didn't stop me. I dealt with my shame by drinking more. It was the only way to keep from thinking about what I'd done.

I only drank on weekends, but you don't have to drink daily to be an alcoholic. My life was totally unmanageable. I couldn't even stand up at work because I was always sick. Often, I couldn't even get up for classes, so I barely graduated. I wasn't even allowed to walk the stage at my graduation because I'd been so drunk at prom. My mom knew I had a problem, but she couldn't stop me.

Things fell apart this past Fourth of July when my friend and I were drinking with a bunch of guys at her house. After blacking out, my friend lost her virginity to a stranger! She was 19 and had been saving herself for the right guy, so when she realized what she had done, she became hysterical, got in her car and drove off--drunk! Later, she drove back to her house, where I was naked on the couch with some boy. Her dad Showed up, and I was totally humiliated. I felt so Ashamed. I was finally ready to get help.