Alcohol

In control?
 
Once people have a drink they often find themselves doing things they would never have done without the drink.
 
It can be a good thing - you could develop the courage to talk with someone you really fancy, you may find you can dance without worrying what others think.
 
But alcohol can have a bad side too...
You might:

• End up saying something to someone you would never have said if you hadn't had a drink. Not in a positive way either;
• You may find your ability to control your temper is effected. Things you would normally let go become a real issue;
• Get upset/mad/annoyed by something someone does or says - that would not have become an issue normally;
• You may find you can talk to that person you have fancied all year, as alcohol will effect your inhibitions. That loss of inhibitions could also effect judgements about getting into a fight.

Fact
 
If you drink you are more likely to get into a fight or have arguments with your family, friends, or complete strangers.
 
In a survey, more than a ¼ of young people who had been drinking alcohol said they had got into an argument in the past 12 months and 12% reported getting into a fight.
 
Some 10,000 young people are admitted to hospital every year because of drinking.
 
More than 1 in 10 15-16 year olds had been involved in an accident or had an injury as a result of drinking.
 
Drinking and You
 
If you drink often, binge drink or drink in public places you are more likely to be involved in fights, to get an injury from fighting, to commit violent offences or to carry weapons
 
Myth:
 
'Only adults and alcoholics have a drink problem'. Actually… you could experience problems if you drink too often, or drink to get drunk.
 
What can you do?

• Watch out for your friends.
• Make sure one of you does not drink so that they can tell the rest when they have had enough.
• Always seek help if someone is in trouble either from parents/police/ambulance depending on circumstances.
• If you don't drink you get to remember all the stuff that the drinkers said and did.
• Make sure you get someone home safely. Always have enough money left to get transport or make that call home.

Back to the main Alcohol page