Theme Analysis
Alcohol abuse is not a life stage but a dangerous problem. The author shows us this by not only showing her own story, but talking about several people's (Ellie, Natalie, Billie, Maya, the Zeta's, Vanessa, Chris, ect.) stories of alcohol abuse and the dangers that came with it. Each one story shows a side effect from the depression that lead to cutting to almost being killed. Sharing several people's stories while still keeping it a memoir shows how common it is. She also quoted several resources like books (4), Newsweek (36), and so many more just to show statistically how common it is. With all these statistics and examples shes trying to let readers know that anyone can abuse alcohol, at any age, for any length of time. It personally helped understand more why people could be dependent on alcohol and how it doesn't start overnight. In consultation, the author is saying that alcohol is a dangerous problem and not a life stage.