Three excessively drunk teenagers are admitted to Antwerp's emergency departments each week, usually after consuming over 10 alcoholic drinks, according to a study done by the University of Antwerp.
The figures rose in 2019, then fell, likely due to the coronavirus-related lockdowns. According to researcher Hanna van Roozendaal, the numbers have now returned to earlier levels.
Typically, the median age of the intoxicated teenagers in emergency departments is 16.6 years. The youngest was an 11-year-old.
Their blood-alcohol level was generally quite high, averaging 1.95% – equivalent to nearly 10 standard drinks - at the time of testing. However, this could be an underestimate and they may have, in fact, consumed more.
In a first for Belgium, these youth can access treatment in an alcohol clinic for minors. At present, eight teenagers are doing so at the ZAS Augustinus in Antwerp.
The Netherlands has 12 such alcohol clinics already operational.
