Important information about alcohol

Young people see alcohol on sale all around them – in supermarkets, off-licences, pubs and restaurants. They might also see their parents drinking alcohol. This can make it difficult for them to understand that misusing alcohol is dangerous. But it is important to make sure that they know how misusing alcohol can affect them.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short period is especially risky for young people. As their bodies are not mature, alcohol will have more of an effect on them. The NHS recommends the following levels for adults:

• no more than 3–4 units of alcohol a day for men
• no more than 2–3 units of alcohol per day for women.

Bear in mind that:

• a ‘unit’ is a single shot (25ml) of a spirit; half a pint of normal strength beer; or a small (125ml) glass of wine
• some types of drink preferred by young people are much stronger than average (for example strong beers and ciders). There can be as much alcohol in a 330ml bottle of ‘alco-pop’ as a generous shot of whisky.
• Drinking alcohol and taking some drugs is very dangerous. For example, alcohol increases the risk of a serious drug overdose.

The risks

Aggressive behaviour

Young men are particularly vulnerable to violent attacks by other people who’ve been drinking.

Sex

Unprotected sex can lead to unintended pregnancies, or sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea, herpes or HIV.

Getting home

Travelling with a driver who has been drinking, getting into an unlicensed minicab, walking home alone... all these situations can put young people at a higher risk of sexual assault or being involved in an accident.

Injuries

If your child is so drunk that they’re dizzy or falling over, they could do themselves a serious injury. Pedestrians who are killed or injured in road accidents have often been drinking.

Spiked drinks

Both women and men are at risk of their drinks being spiked by someone. There is a lot to be said about the dangers of drinks being spiked with drugs. However, the reality is that alcohol alone is far more likely to put you at risk, whether you are male or female.

Alcohol poisoning

Drinking too much too quickly can lead to overdose, or alcohol poisoning. This is a very serious situation that needs medical attention. If you are ever in doubt about whether someone has alcohol poisoning, call an ambulance.

Help reduce the risks

If your child is under 18, you might find these tips on talking to your child about reducing risks useful.

• Encourage them to stick to lower-strength brands of alcohol and to not drink too quickly.
• Advise them to eat before they go out and to avoid buying drinks in rounds. They could also sit down when they drink – they will drink less than if they were standing up.
• They should never mix alcohol with drugs – especially ecstasy. It can be deadly.
• Explain the dangers of spiking someone else’s drink and the need to watch their own drink. They should watch it being poured, keep it with them and watch out for their friends. They shouldn’t accept a drink from someone they don’t know and trust.
• Have firm rules about parties. Be around, or close at hand, if your child has a party at home. Remove temptations such as your own stock of drink (especially spirits) and provide starchy food (bread, rice and pasta for example) so they won’t be drinking on empty stomachs. If your child is going out to a party, remember to ask where the party is.
• Make sure your child has a way of getting home safely at night.