Abstract:
This study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of high school students on alcohol intake in La Trinidad, Benguet. The data gathered provided better knowledge and undertaking regarding the feelings and emotions of high school students who had been on alcohol substance use. The study employed the qualitative-descriptive approach where the complete unstructured interview was used to clarify the participants’ lived experience on alcohol intake.
Key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation were utilized to gather information from the 15 participants coming from five (5) public high schools in La Trinidad. Their responses were sorted and coded using field notes. The Colaizzi’s seven steps were used to describe the lived experiences of high school students on alcohol intake. Ten categories have been derived from the transcripts, which are the following: First, First Shot - talks about their first experiences on alcohol intake. Secondly, Shot of Thoughts- show their thoughts and feeling when they first tasted the alcohol. Thirdly, A Glass of Influence- talks about who influenced the participants to drink alcohol. Fourthly, Changed Perception – shows their own perception on alcohol, alcohol consumers, and their selves before and after drinking alcohol. Fifth, Sip to Binge – fast talks about how did the participants started drinking from wine to hard liquor. Sixth, After Effects – shows the good and bad effects of alcohol in their life. Seventh, Drinking Lounge – talks about where they usually drink. Eighth, Margarita’s Reasons – shows the reasons why they still drink alcohol. Ninth, Tequila’s Two Way – shows the reasons why they continued and stopped drinking alcohol. Tenth, Sidecar’s Direction – shows how our participant’s way to avoid alcohol drinking.
The conclusions of the study were based from the categories that emanated from the identified themes: These are the following, first, they had a different perception on what they felt during their first time based on what type of alcohol they first drank. Second, they have varied feelings and behaviors during their first time. Third, the participants were tempted also by their own mentors. Fourth, before and after they are engaged in alcohol drinking, their own perceptions have changed. Fifth, drinking alcohol has its own pattern. Sixth, alcohol drinking has good and bad effects. Seventh, they have their own preference as to where they like to drink. Eight, they also have different reasons that push them to drink alcohol. Ninth, the participants have their own reasons as to why they still continue drinking alcohol substances or to stop, and last, each participant has their own way to avoid themselves from drinking alcohol.