Alcohol

THE BRITE BLOG

We share the voices, opinions and stories of many Ventura County youth and young adults here. Not all posts reflect the opinion of BRITE or our sponsors. Managed by Ashley Heatherly.

Hiding Behind Alcohol

A young adult tells the story of how her difficult childhood led to alcohol use disorder, and how she has recovered and turned her life around.

Anonymous

Aug 13, 20243 min read

We see a gray car smashed against a tall brown tree. The driver's side door is open, the front of the car and the hood are entirely smashed.

Take Your Life Back

An adult discusses her experience dealing with trauma with alcohol, getting a DUI, and turning her life around.

Anonymous

Jul 7, 20242 min read

A young person is sitting at a desk with purple headphones on, writing in a notebook. The desk is covered in trinkets, crystals, and notes. The writer is bathed in a soft, pink glow.

The Letter

A college student describes her experience growing up as a child of parents with alcohol use disorder and the effects it has had on her life and relationships in a love letter to a friend.

Anonymous

Jun 13, 20244 min read

A group of young people are hanging out and each holding glasses of wine with different colored liquids in them. We can only see their bodies and mostly their arms/hands.

Peer Pressure & Alcohol

A college student discusses her experience with peer pressure and alcohol and why she chooses not to drink even though she's 21.

Anonymous

May 22, 20243 min read

A group of young people are partying and drinking alcohol. One girl has her head leaned back while someone pours a bottle of dark brown alcohol into her open mouth. We get the impression of a complete lack of inhibition.

Reality Parties for Parents: A Parent’s Perspective

A parent discusses her experience letting her kids drink underage, and the valuable lessons she learned while attending our Reality Party for Parents.

Anonymous

Apr 14, 20242 min read

A young woman sits on a couch holding a beer bottle in her right hand. Her left hand is covering her face as if she is ashamed or upset. There are several other empty beer bottles in the foreground.

Alcohol Use Disorder: From the Perspective of the Alcoholic, Interview 3

A college student interviews a friend about her experience with alcohol use disorder and her struggle with addiction.

Anonymous

Mar 13, 20245 min read

A photograph of a small, red toy sportscar next to a glass of brown alcohol. The red car is being blocked by a small toy police car.

Alcohol Use Disorder: From the Perspective of the Alcoholic, Interview 2

A college student interviews a peer about his experience with alcohol use disorder, receiving a DUI, and sobering up.

Anonymous

Feb 6, 20244 min read

A man is passed out face down on a couch with one arm drooping to the floor. There are several empty alcohol bottles and glasses on the floor.

Alcohol Use Disorder: From the Perspective of the Alcoholic, Interview 1

A college student recounts an interview with a peer who deals with alcohol use disorder and discusses his experience with rehab.

Anonymous

Jan 18, 20245 min read

A young woman sits at a table leaning her head on her hand while holding an almost-empty bottle of alcohol in the other hand. She looks despondent.

The Negative Effects of Drinking

A college student discusses how drinking alcohol can negatively affect a person's relationships, health, and stability.

Anonymous

Nov 27, 20232 min read

A person has their crossed arms resting on a table, with their head on their arm. A half-empty bottle of liquor is next to them, out of focus, and a half-full bottle cup of liquor is in front of them in focus.

Is Drinking Worth the Consequences?

A college student discusses the negative consequences of drinking alcohol and why they choose not to drink.

Anonymous

Oct 24, 20232 min read

Alcohol Abuse Within the Family

A college student discusses alcohol use disorder and the effects that his uncle's addiction has had on his family.

Anonymous

Jun 14, 20234 min read

A small, bright blue toy truck is crashing into a pint glass full of amber-colored beer that is spilling on to the table.

My Friend's DUI & Struggle with Alcohol

A college student discusses a friend's experience getting a DUI and struggle with alcohol abuse.

Anonymous

May 11, 20234 min read

A hand is laying on a table, palm facing up. The hand is chained to a bottle of hard liquor, also sitting on the table.

How Did This Happen?

A poem written by a college student about the experience of drinking and alcohol use disorder.

Anonymous

Apr 23, 20231 min read

A young Black man is working out in a gym setting, with his arms reaching up to a metal bar. His hands have chalk on them and his face is straining as he concentrates to finish the movement. He looks powerful and committed.

Sobriety and Fitness

A college student discusses why he chooses sobriety and how he uses fitness as his motivation.

Anonymous

Mar 23, 20232 min read

Four teens are standing close together and laughing, clinking their bottles of alcohol together. They look like they're happy and celebrating.

Underage & Binge Drinking: Keeping Youth Safe

A discussion of the harms of underage drinking with suggestions for how parents & caregivers can talk to their kids.

Ashley H

Oct 25, 20223 min read

A young person in a black jacket is standing and holding a small chalkboard that says NO.

Peer Pressure in School

A college student discusses their experience being pressured to drink and take drugs by friends while growing up.

Anonymous

Sep 28, 20224 min read

An ad for beer shows two green beer bottles sandwiching an Xbox game controller. Text reads, "It's Game Day."

How Does Alcohol Advertising Effect Youth?

A discussion of how alcohol companies use advertising to market alcohol to teens and underage youth by attracting and influencing them into buying their products.

Ashley H

Aug 29, 20226 min read

A young person is sitting in the shadows at a gathering, drinking a beer.

Tolerance

A college student gives their account of different parenting styles they witnessed growing up, and the effects of whether underage drinking was allowed by parents.

Anonymous

Aug 17, 20223 min read

A young person is sitting on a couch, leaning forward. In one hand they are holding a bottle of dark liquor and a glass of liquor in the other hand. Their face is obscured by their hair and they look to be in distress.

Parents Allowing Alcohol Use

A college student discusses her experience of parents allowing underage alcohol use, how it affected her, and why she will never provide alcohol for her kids in the future.

Anonymous

Jul 18, 20224 min read