Underage Drinking Problem & College Drinking

Let’s Be Honest…

If you’re a teen or in college, alcohol is everywhere. Kickbacks. Pregaming before a party. Wine nights that feel “grown-up.” Tailgates before a big game. We’re not here to preach. You’ve already heard the “just say no” stuff. What we want to give you is the truth: alcohol is dangerous, and it can get out of hand faster than you think.

Once you understand what it really does to your brain, your body, and choices, you can decide what’s worth it — and what’s not.

Underage Drinking in Murrieta & Temecula California

In Murrieta, Temecula, and all communities across California, underage drinking is a reality. Teens and young adults find access through:

Fake IDs or “shoulder taps” (asking someone older to buy).
House parties where drinks are mixed strong and poured heavy.
Parents who look the other way, thinking it’s “safer” at home.

Here’s why it matters:

Brain development: Your brain is still wiring itself until your mid-20s. Alcohol changes memory, focus, and decision-making.
Blackouts: Forgetting entire nights isn’t “funny.” It’s your brain shutting down.
Legal trouble: A DUI or arrest can wreck scholarships, jobs, or college admissions.

We’ve seen teens in our program who thought, “This is just what everyone does,” until it spun out of control.

College Binge Culture: What You Don’t Hear at Orientation

In college, drinking is almost treated like a sport. But binge culture comes with consequences that rarely get talked about:

Pregaming disasters: Shots before a party = BAC levels skyrocket before the night even starts.
Hangovers that cost more than a headache: Missed classes, failing grades, or losing jobs.
Accidents and assaults: Alcohol is behind most campus fights, sexual assaults, and car crashes.
From fun to habit: What starts as “weekend partying” can turn into needing alcohol to sleep, relax, or socialize.

One Ranch Creek alum said it best: “At first, it was just parties. Then I realized I couldn’t stop, even when the fun was gone.”

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(877) 997-8931

Ranch Creek Recovery

4.8

review us on

Hollie Loya

02:10 26 Sep 24

This is, by far, the best recovery center that I have experienced and heard of. I have been sober since I left Ranch Creek 3 1/2 years ago. They saved my life physically, as I was about a month away from being put onto the liver transplant list, they saved my marriage and relationship with our four children, and they saved me emotionally, as Dr. Dena was able to get some of my issues to a conclusion without me using alcohol to numb the pain. I do the work every single day, but I wouldn't be here without Ranch Creek. They definitely do it right!

William

06:22 22 Sep 24

This place has saved my life. The counselors, the nurses, the teachings (tools), and the environment were amazing. They were very patient, caring, and understanding. I learned so much there and gained a whole new self identity. After inpatient, they offered me an outpatient program that you can partake either in-person or via Zoom. That is so necessary and beneficial as well. I would suggest that anyone who wants and needs to get their life back or reshape who they are for the better to give this place a try. I live life through new eyes and with a healthy mind. You won't be disappointed.

Kara Dolf

21:09 15 May 24

This place is amazing for small group individual care. I've never seen a place that truly focuses on what you need and working with you to help you get there. They are not like other places that just get you sober and throw information at you. They truly care and want you to succeed. If you are in need of help to get sober this is your place.

M Hon

00:26 19 Jan 24

Staff: 4.5/5
Owner, Director, therapists, nurses, counselors, and support staff are all really great. I had no issues with anyone in particular. They are all there to help you however they can. I found that everyone advocated for my well being, were available when I needed them, and did their best to support me, check in on me, and make sure I was happy and comfortable.
(why not 5/5? They have had a bunch of turnover and need to update their website with their newer staff members and qualifications. Additionally the Doctors they partner with were not as thorough as I would have wanted, and were kind of pushy with medications)

Program: 4/5
Small groups for the win! You get a lot of attention if you need it. This is a Holistic approach rehab. They do not focus on any 12 step programs. You have daily classes with different counselors, focusing on the science behind addiction, anger management, talk therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, nutrition, and much more. You have one-on-one sessions twice a week with a Licensed Therapist, and you have access to a gym daily, with a yoga instructor and trainer coming a few times a week. You also have a docent that comes once a week to do sound therapy, and you can learn techniques such as tapping. They have 2 doctors on staff you will have Zoom appointments with, and someone is always present to distribute morning, afternoon, and bedtime medication. You can also always grab whomever is on-call to talk through any issues or questions you have.
(why not 5/5? Overall I found that there was too much down-time. I got bored and restless with that much free time and I craved more structure. Additionally I thought that the family Zoom sessions could have served as a stronger resource for loved ones)

Location: 4/5
Murrieta is a quiet, tranquil area, with mountain views, a lot of farmland, and very little public noise to distract you. When you do leave the house, you get to visit a small farm that is very close by to interact with horses and goats, etc. You also have an outing on Saturdays for a few hours that allows you as a group to get out of the house. The immediate area has all the basic stores and activities you would want, like target/walmart/grocery/7-11/etc as well as mini golf, bowling... You do need to decide as a group where you want to go because you have 1 chaperone and need to stay together at all times.
(why not 5/5? There are 2 different houses located about 10 minutes away from each other. The Bass house advertised on the website is much nicer and larger than the Doreen house. During my time the clients staying at the Doreen house were shuttled over to the Bass house for our daily classes and sessions, not being able to utilize their own kitchen, rooms, and bathrooms during the day. I was also told by clients that the Doreen house was not as nice as the Bass House)

Amenities: 4/5
Pool - (I was there in the winter, so it was not heated and basically unusable, however, I did do some cold plunges just for the shock)
Hot tub - available once a week on Friday evenings
Yard - Large Grass Backyard and cement patio with tables and chairs
Gym - Available daily. TV for movies or music. Free weights, yoga mats, and a few outdated cardio machines that mostly worked.
Kitchen - Large kitchen, multiple Fridges/Freezers, Huge pantry for preparing anything you want, ovens, microwave, toasters, dishwasher, outdoor gas grill, etc...
Pool table, ping pong table, arts and crafts table, outdoor TV, Indoor TV, Computer, land-line house phone.
Comfortable rooms and bathrooms with laundry access, and provided bedding and towels.
(why not 5/5? I was disappointed that it wasn't clear that the pool and hot tub didn't have daily access as advertised, and that the gym was more outdated than described/pictured. They also could make some very inexpensive recreation investments like a basketball for their outdoor hoop, soccer ball, frisbees, croquet set, bocce, etc for their giant lawn to be used during the extensive downtime)

Michelle Berman

14:04 26 Jun 23

Dorothy Smith

00:29 12 Aug 22

Ranch Creek Recovery is the best way to start your new healthy way of life. This program actually saved my life and my sanity. Their Holistic approach was amazing and I learned so much from my counselors and Dr. Dena. With only a limited number of participants in the house at one time, you are guaranteed the one on one time, as well as the group counseling they offer in a safe and comfortable setting. They make you aware that they truly care and are there to support you , listen to you, and most important to teach you. Teach you information about triggers, cognitive behavior and how to stay sober. They include therapy through others means such as Yoga, Meditation, working with Horses and even Physical Training. Ranch Creek makes sure when you leave you are good, Mind, Body and Soul. They have an excellent Intensive Outpatient Program (10) weeks that helps navigate your way back into life. A year ago (received my one year chip June 8, 2022) I was lost and a raging out of control alcoholic. I can proudly say today that I am not. I will always be an alcoholic with an addictive personality. But now I have tools, personal contacts and the faith in myself that I have never had before in my 9 years searching for sobriety. I often reflect back on my time at the Bass house. I am probably one of the few that actually stayed 60 days because I had so much to learn. My insurance did not cover all of the last days, but it was worth it to me, so I stayed. I am so grateful to so many of the staff, Jimmie, Christine, Jonathon, Dr. Dena and countless extended staff to name a few, because there were more. I would not be here to tell you it works, because without the treatment and the help I received, I alive today to tell my journey. If you are ready to face the truth, please give them a call. I promise if you are committed, you will never be the same as when you walked in. Thank you Ranch Creek Recovery.