Stephen was a sixteen year old high school junior who was exhibiting numerous alcohol-related problems at school. Therefore, the principal told him that he had to see Miss Pender, the school counselor, before he would be permitted to come back to school.
Later that day when Stephen went home after school, he had to clarify his school discharge to his parents. His Mom and Dad were "fairly conservative" and informed Stephen that dropping out of school was not a practical educational option. They informed Stephen that failing to graduate from high school would most probably be like a lead weight around his feet that could probably harm his educational attainment for the remainder of his life. Moreover, Stephen's parents were quite upset that he was drinking in the first place and drinking with his peers in the second.
It was apparent that his Mom and Dad were completely in agreement with Stephen's principal and informed Stephen that he needs to see Miss Pender, the school psychologist. After his conversation with his parents, Stephen eventually agreed to see Miss Pender the next day. So Stephen called the school and made an appointment to see Miss Pender the next afternoon after school.
When Stephen arrived at his scheduled appointment with Miss Pender, she instantaneously reviewed all of the alcohol-related issues Stephen had experienced and asked him if he knew why his recent alcohol-related activities caused quite a bit of anxiety by the school administrators.
Quite truthfully, Stephen was unsure why the principal suggested that he see a school therapist. As he expressed to Miss Pender, why should he see a professional psychologist about his drinking activities? Due to the fact that nearly all of his friends drink about as much as he does, primarily, drinking is no big issue. Stated more directly, if just about everyone is drinking, why is this such a big deal?
In short, Stephen's involvement with teenage alcohol abuse was starting to impede his ability to act like an accountable young man. As pronounced by Miss Pender, "Just because most of your peers drink hard liquor, wine, beer, or wine coolers does not mean that it is the best option for you."
Luckily, Miss Pender was quite organized for her scheduled meeting with Stephen. She showed him reports and research studies she had underlined that outlined various drinking statistics and facts that applied to most people in general. Then she showed Stephen quite a bit of information that applied especially to teenagers.
After Miss Pender articulated the aforesaid teenage alcohol and teen alcohol abuse facts and statistics, it was evident that what Miss Pender made known to Stephen was a real source of revelation for him. Why? Because for the first time in his young life, someone not only took the time to give an explanation of the long term and the short term effects of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, but she also took the time to authenticate what she was saying with alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction facts and statistics that related to people in general, and principally to underage drinkers.
To be sure, it was almost as if a light went on and Stephen immediately understood why he should not be engaging in abusive and hazardous drinking with or without his peers any longer. Stephen thanked Miss Pender for her concern and for the materials she discussed and then accepted her reinstatement into school.