Teenagers who drink so much alcohol that they end up in hospital are most likely to get drunk at a friend’s house, according to new research on young binge drinkers carried out for the health ministry.

The research is based on the experiences of 703 youngsters treated in hospital for alcohol poisoning between 2007 and mid 2009. Most teenage drunks come from a traditional Dutch family and have two parents, the research showed.
The researchers found 35% of teenagers who are hospitalised after abusing alcohol got drunk at a friend’s house.
A further 21% got drunk hanging around on the streets and 16% were in a bar or club, even though the under 16s should not to be served alcohol by law. The average patient was aged 15 and had consumed the equivalent of 10 to 15 drinks.
In 2007 girls were almost as likely as boys to end up in an alcohol-induced coma. But by 2009 55% of teen heavy drinkers were male.