Toren Volkmann Biography

Toren Volkmann defined himself as an academic, an athlete, and an artist who was headed for a prestigious college experience at the conclusion of high school. Like most first-year students, Toren experimented with drinking in an effort to integrate into the college community. Within a few months, however, alcohol swiftly replaced other priorities in his life and developed into a harmful addiction. The majority of students are well aware of two realities when they enter college: that they are in for a great new experience and that there is a campus culture of alcohol around athletic events, in many student organizations, or just hanging out with friends. By the end of college, he had become a full-blown alcoholic at the age of 23. Most college students will drink. Many don't. Some people will use good judgment and avert unfavorable outcomes. Much of it will rely on the settings in which they spend their time and the companions they make. Toren could not admit he had a drinking problem despite many issues he faced on campus, such as being kicked out of the dorms, fighting, public intoxication, and numerous run-ins with the police. For those who need alcohol to thrive in social situations and for those who choose to associate with other risk-takers, their use of alcohol has the potential to set them on a path, intended or not, were goals, personal health, friendships, and families are nearly destroyed. He actually cherished the way of life he was leading—frequently drinking until he passed out and taking pride in the fact that he could surround himself with mountains of empties. His world finally came crashing down during a stint in the Peace Corps in South America, where he found himself relying heavily on alcohol to fit into his new surroundings and new social peers. He continued to have the goal of graduating from college, and once he did that, he believed his life and habits would change as soon as he entered a new environment and socialized with different people. Alcohol has developed into a physical and social addiction. Toren was flown back to the United States in an emergency because he knew his life was heading in a bad direction. He then underwent detox for a month and entered a treatment facility for six months to deal with his addiction. The book, From Binge to Blackout: A Mother and Son Deal with Teen Drinking, which Toren co-wrote with his mother chronicles not only his reckless life as a young alcoholic but also how he and his mother completely denied the existence of his disease. It was also the first time he had ever admitted to his parents that he had a problem. Toren has now been sober for eight years. His address on campus goes beyond a personal warning story. He exhorts students to consider how they use alcohol, how much they drink, and who they are drinking with. Toren's keynote is an insightful alcohol program that will encourage students to seriously consider how their behavior around alcohol can transform from enjoyable weekend parties to a full-blown addiction. It is supported by solid educational research about the strong negative impact of alcohol on the developing young brain and the role of genetics in alcoholism.

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