Know your limits

The National Addiction Centre tracked students over 18 months to find out how their drinking habits changed between the ages of 15 and 17. They found that young people drank more often as they got older, but that they drank less at a time.

This is fine and not a problem; there are few health risks if you drink within safe limits. "Safe limits" are usually defined as 3-4 units for adult men, and 2-3 units for adult women but lots of things can make your safe limit lower, e.g. being small, young, ill, tired or hungry.

There are some circumstances when you shouldn't drink at all. The most important are:

• If you are driving
• If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant
• If you are working or studying

For some people, any amount of drink makes them feel ill or uncomfortable. It's a bit like an allergy. These people usually choose not to drink at all.

Key Link: www.drinkaware.co.uk

Alcohol is dangerous

Young people are particularly at risk from accidentally drinking too much, because their bodies are undergoing changes, which can include changes in alcohol tolerance (how much they can drink without getting too drunk).

Drinking too much can be fatal:

• Alcohol Poisoning Drink too much, too quickly, and alcohol can poison you, slowing down brain and bodily functions, until you lose consciousness, slip into a coma, and die. Around one thousand young people under the age of 15 need emergency treatment for alcohol poisoning each year in the UK.
• Alcohol related injuries Accidents, suicide and violence are all significant causes of death for young people, and being drunk is often involved in all three. Being drunk makes you more likely to have an accident or get into a fight, and less likely to be able to help yourself (or get help) if you do. You may do or say very stupid, hurtful or dangerous things, and you may not be able to remember what you did later. Drunkenness is associated with an increased risk from drowning, falls, assaults and road accidents.
• Throwing up and passing out If you get very drunk, you may vomit, collapse, lose consciousness, or all three. You may injure yourself when you collapse, and if you pass out drunk, you are in serious danger of choking to death on your own vomit, unless someone puts you into the recovery position (above).

If you're often drinking heavily, or drinking every day, you are at risk of physical or psychological dependence, sometimes called alcoholism. If you consume over two drinks every day, if you find yourself drinking because you have problems, or getting drunk even when you plan not to, alcohol could be a problem for you.

Effects of persistently drinking too much alcohol are severe. They include:

• depression
• liver cirrhosis
• heart failure
• damage to the brain and nervous system.

Along the way there is often damage to friends and loved ones, and problems with jobs, money and the law. Treatment is difficult, and some people seem to be more susceptible than others.

If you suspect you may be at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol the safest thing is to stop drinking at all.

Think B4U Drink

Some young people get into serious trouble when they drink. Accidents, fights, unsafe sex, drunk driving and trouble with the police are just some of the things can happen.

When people get very drunk, they can't control their behaviour. They may "black out" and do things they can't remember later. These can include very violent, stupid or dangerous things.

If you are going to drink, you need to stay in control of your drinking:

• Eat a meal before drinking.
• Always know how you're getting home.
• Drink slowly, or alternate alcohol with soft drinks.
• Drink for enjoyment, not to get drunk.
• Be aware that strong drinks like alcopops, spirits and strong beers will get you drunk faster.
• Don't get bullied into drinking more than you want to.
• Drink in safe places with people you trust.
• Know your limit. When you reach it, switch to soft drinks or go home.
• Don't drive or accept lifts from strangers, stick to your original plan.
• Drink a glass of water and sit up for a bit before you go to bed.
• Go to sleep in the recovery position.

NOTE: Avoid alcohol altogether if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, on medication, or have a problem with alcohol abuse in your family.

Experience

"I was shocked to find out I was pregnant as I didn't have a steady boyfriend. I had sex after a drunken party. I went into a kind of denial. I had 11 pregnancy tests altogether trying to convince myself that they were faulty and that it wasn’t really happening. When I told my mum she was so upset. I felt like I had let everyone down. My doctor arranged for me to talk to someone and eventually I decided to keep my baby." Young Mum, 17, Oxford