Alarming Data: Steep Increase in Consumption of Alcohol Among Teens

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center reports an unusual upswing in visits to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Department by teenagers in various states of intoxication. "In the past, we’d see 1-2 intoxicated teenagers after they drank excessive amounts of alcohol at graduation parties, on New Year's Eve, or Lag BaOmer. However, over the past two weeks we’ve been seeing 6-7 teens a week, without any 'specific event,'" said Dr. Naama Kochinsky Cohen, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Department Director at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.

The increase, however, relates not only to the number of cases, but also to the alcohol levels found in the teenagers' bodies. "We had a case of a young girl who drank half a bottle of arak with several shots of vodka. The treatment provided includes fluids, warming, and in severe cases hospitalization is also required until they recover from severe alcohol poisoning," added Dr. Kochinsky Cohen.

As noted above, incidents such as these are not unusual for the medical staff in the Pediatric Emergency Room, but today, unlike in the past, they encounter younger teenagers, some only 14 years old.

Most of them arrive late at night, semi-conscious, after vomiting on themselves. Some have hypothermia (low body temperature) and low blood sugar. Some come in with head injuries due to intoxication and need to undergo brain imaging to be sure there is no brain damage. The day before yesterday, a 14-year-old girl was brought in after drinking with friends. Luckily, police officers found her unconscious on the road and immediately called an ambulance. She received medical treatment and recovered. This could have ended in tragedy."

Dr. Kochinsky Cohen has a clear message for parents: "Talk to your children about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Pay attention to what they do late at night, who they hang out with, and make sure they come home safely."