SOLVED. Old YA novel about two best friends in high school and one becomes alcoholic? [s]

[Jadis]

I read it years and years ago and it was already visibly old. I think one of the protags is named Julie. (ETA: No, scratch that. Julie is the protag from The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations. My brain probably just cross-pollinated them.) The book, iirc, goes back and forth between the two best friends' diaries. The friend who ends up alcoholic is so because it's genetic - her dad is and she never knew because her mom hid it - so when she starts trying beer at parties she can't stop. The cover had a girl standing in front of a locker reaching surreptitiously in pulling a glass bottle out of the pocket of a green jacket. I think the title might have had the word 'out' or 'time' in it. (I may just be remembering that it lived on my bookshelf next to Out Of Time and Running Out Of Time, though, so that's not a disqualifying factor.)

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Possibly Crosses?

"Unhappy at home, Nancy and her friend Katie adopt punk lifestyles and find relief in cutting themselves, until Nancy is forced to confront her problems." Also features alcoholism although the cutting is the main form of abuse.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Or Stephanie?

"Reluctant to admit her addiction to alcohol and drugs, sixteen-year-old Stephanie finds it impossible to give up drinking and pills until she faces her problems in a hospital treatment program."

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Run-Away?

"Abused by her alcoholic father, Kathy runs away to her grandparents. She eventually comes to realize that her reformed father needs help rather than censure."

[Jadis]

WAIT I REMEMBERED THE NAME NOW.

Wrong Way Out. This is literally the only thing I can find about it. (No wonder I thought she was named Julie - Jackie starts with J!)

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

My Dad's Definitely Not a Drunk!?

"Corey O'Dell is struggling with a family secret : her dad drinks too much and has trouble holding a job. Still, she loves her father and tries to help him in the best way she knows how."

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Oh congrats! Here's the cover:



I recognize the outfit of the girl sneaking the booze: I had it!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Gr link: The Wrong Way Out

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Congrats on finding your book. I've shelved it and am moving this down to Solved for you.