Pretty much all of us end up in situations where we’ll drink alcohol. For many of us it’s in passing or moderation, but for how many of us is drinking fast becoming a more regular pastime? A string of new UK reports suggests underage drinking is now a massive problem in the UK, with a disturbing third of 14-year-olds and half of 15-year-olds drinking alcohol on a weekly basis.
Underage drinking has also been linked to an increase in social problems, such as antisocial behaviour and underage pregnancy. According to a Department of Health report, young girls are now matching boys on the drinking front. The much sought after image of the typical ‘bad boy’, that many aspire to, is making way for girls who also want to grow up too fast.
So why are we drinking more? In the UK we live in a drink culture. Alcohol has become one of the most socially acceptable yet potentially lethal drugs for both adults and teenagers, yet there doesn’t seem to be much to put young people off drinking. With all the stories the media gives out on binge drinking and weekend street violence amongst adults, what kind of example are they setting us younger people if they can’t control themselves?
From soaps, to films, to TV advertising, young people can’t escape the tempting image of the fun we can have with alcohol. And with easy-access to the booze cabinet, shop owners happy to turn a blind eye to under 18s to and Alco-pops tasting just like fizzy pop, it seems like everyone’s handing it out to us on a plate!
We might all think we’ve ‘heard it all before’, but are we really fully aware of the down sides of drinking at our age and even our own reasons for doing it? If we really want to be more adult, we’ll do well to consider the below, so that if we do go out drinking with our mates, we can at least stay aware
Reason- Drinking to impress
Having a couple of Alco pops might make us feel older, and give out an image of maturity, or so we think. Statistically, you are more likely to drink and become dependant on alcohol if the people around you drink such as your parents, siblings and friends. You’re more likely to see it as a normal, everyday thing. Teenagers are often afraid they will be rejected by their friends for turning alcohol down.
Down side- Looking like a fool and not being yourself
We all know that when you see someone who’s had one too many, you feel a little, well, embarrassed for them. They become screechy and loud, and say things they normally wouldn’t say. Wouldn’t you rather be yourself?
Reason- Parents and adults say its ok
Yep, I know how it sounds. Parents are the ones that tell us to cut it out, right? Not in some cases. Parents and older people can influence our decisions the most. If we’re around parents who drink heavily, we’re more likely to think it’s normal. If the effect of heavy drinking seems positive we might see only this. We think that if an adult is doing it, it’s acceptable. But acceptable for no person doesn’t always mean safe and right for another.
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Downside- Thinking its normal
This kind of thinking can encourage us to drink more. Parents are sometimes the ones who actually buy the alcohol for us! This lax attitude isn’t healthy and nether is seeing an Alco pop as similar to a glass of lemonade. In one adult poll, about 26% agree that teens should be able to drink at home with their parents present!
Reason- Drinking to gain confidence
Why do teenagers feel they need to be drunk to have a good time? Some teenagers drink to feel more relaxed and carefree. Alcohol can really boost our confidence, but it can make us feel invincible when we’re most vulnerable.
Downside- Misjudgements
Being too relaxed from alcohol can make us unaware of our surroundings, making us prone to accidents and injury. When we’ve had one too many, we can become careless. It can become hard to focus. Each year, excessive alcohol consumption is involved in more than 35 percent of all fatal teen car accidents due to teens thinking they’re sober enough to drive.
Reason- Deeper issues
Some young people finding it hard to deal with issues in their life, use alcohol as a coping mechanism or a way of forgetting or blocking something out. If we are unhappy at school or home, perhaps dealing with abuse or bullying, alcohol can seem like an easy release to numb the pain.
Downside- Becoming Dependant
Deeper issues can lead to alcohol dependency. One story thathighlights this made the headlines recently. A girl called Hailey started drinking at 12. She said she drank to cope with her Nan’s illness, and literally wanted to “drink herself to death”. By the time she turned 14, she was an alcoholic. According to Safe Youth, more than 40% of us who start drinking at 14 or younger will become dependent on alcohol as adults. By getting into bad habits now, we could end up a generation of alcoholics. Hayley’s story is an extreme case, but it just goes to show what can happen if things get out of hand.
Reason- Peer pressure
We go to a party and we are expected to get drunk. We go out with a few mates and they take the mick if we say no to booze. But why should they make those decisions for us? Surely, if something as trivial as booze ruins a friendship, we need to ask ourselves if they really were friends in the first place. Was it a friendship or a social status?
Downside- Doing something you regret
Drinking can change our personality and our actions. It can lead to us to do something we will regret - like having unprotected sex. This can put us at risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and even sexual assault.
By Billie Middleton
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Tips for staying safe and aware
 If you have had a drink and feel woozy, drink plenty of water and get fresh air.
Remember that drinking is not the only way you can socialise and have fun.
When under the influence, don’t make any decisions you would normally consider carefully.
If you find it hard to say no when your mates are up for a drinking session, try to avoid these situations
If you are going to drink, remember to stay with mates you trust, tell someone where you are and take your mobile. It sounds daft, but these things could help you get home safely.
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The risks of too much alcohol
There are serious health risks linked to heavy drinking. Most people, when they first start drinking, can misjudge how much will make them very ill. Here are some of the health risks…
Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol can make you sick. The vomit can lead to the poisoning of the respiratory centre in the brain, which can result in death. If you’re underage, and your body hasn’t developed properly, it may not take a much to make you ill. A fun night out could lead to needing your stomach pumped.
Health problems
The more we drink on a regular basis, the more alcohol we need to get drunk. So while you may think that you’re getting better at staying sober, your body is suffering. Excessive drinking of alcohol over a long period can also cause serious illnesses such as liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease. So next time you turn to the bottle, think where it might put you in 10 years time.
Becoming an alcoholic
Binge-drinking on a regular basis can not only seriously damage your body, but can quickly lead to dependency and alcohol addiction. |
If you think you have a problem with alcohol or know someone who has, please consider contacting one of the below supports, even if it’s just to chat in confidence. It could save your life.
Turning Point - SHED (Young People's Drug and Alcohol Project)
Telephone: 0114 272 9164
91 Division Street, Sheffield, S1 4GE
Open: Telephone contact Mon-Fri:9.30am-5pm Drop-in Tue-Fri: 2pm-5pm.
Know the Score (Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Project)
Telephone: 01709 836 047
24 Moorgate Street, Rotherham, S60 2DA
Open: Mon, Wed: 2pm - 6pm,
Tue, Thu, Fri: 2pm - 5pm |
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