How Much Can Under 18's Drink?? Why Is This??
Under 15's - Avoid Alcohol

It is advised that the healthiest and best options is to be alcohol-free, with young people not drinking before the age of 15.

Young Adults - 15 - 17 Years

If you choose to drink - you should drink no more than once a week and no more than the daily amounts recommended for adults.

That is 2-3 Units for Women And 3-4 Units For Men

Young people's bodies and in particular your brain aren't fully developered like an adult's, so alcohol can affect your development and health more seriously.

How Much Is Too Much??
  • Beer 1 Pint 4.4% 2.5 Units
  • Bottle of Cider 1 Litre 7.5% 7.5 Units
  • Cider 1 Pint 5.2% 3 Units
  • Bottle of Vodka 1 Litre 40% 40 Units
  • Glass of Wine 175ml 12% 2 Units
  • Bottle of Vodka 500ml 40% 20 Units
  • Bottle of Wine 750ml 12% 9 Units
  • Shot 35ml 40% 1.4 Units
  • Alcopop 275ml 5% 1.4 Units
  • Shot 25ml 40% 1 Units
  • BEWARE: Home measures are usually larger than pub measures
Are You Thinking About How Much You Drink?
Score 5
Questions Scoring System Your Score
0 1 2 3 4
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol Never Monthly or less 2-4 times per month 2-3 times per week 4+ times per week
How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking? 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 10+
How often have you had 6 or more units if female, or 8 or more if male, on a single occasion in the last year? Never Less than monthly Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily
SCORING 0-4 = Lower Risk, 5-7 = Increasing Risk, 8-12 = Higher Risk Scoring

If you scored 5 or above you are drinking at increasing or higher risk. If you are drinking at this level you may...

  • Hurt yourself
  • Feel grump, angry and more argumentative
  • Have unsafe sex and/or sex you later regret
  • Be involved in sexual assault
  • Catch an STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease)
  • Gain excess weight (Alcohol has lots of calories & sugar in it
  • Lose things, such as money, mobile phone or memory
  • Make mistakes and act in a way you normally wouldn't
  • Put photographs on Facebook you later regret
  • Write things on Facebook you dont remember until the next day when it's too late and all your facebook friends have seen it including your family
  • Suffer dangerous side effects if you're mixing alcohol with drugs
  • Feel rubbish the next day
Remember Who Might Be Watching

Do you really want pictures or videos of yourself in a drunken state on the likes of Facebook or Youtube?

Although it may seem funny at the time; it's not just you that might be able to see it, your future employer or even your Granny might be able to view what you did last night...

If You Do Drink Their Are a Few Things You Could Do To Reduce The Risks...
  • Have time away from using alcohol
  • Make sure you eat properly before you start drinking
  • Drink water and soft drinks regularly between drinks
  • Start drinking later and try not to start drinnking before you go out
  • Only take a limited amount of money with you (but make sure you have enough to get home)
  • Know when you've had enough, the guidance is there to help you have a good time without ruining your night
  • Drink, socialise and go home with people you trust
  • Carry a condom just in case
  • Dont't accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended
  • Avoid drinking games or gulping your drink
Importantly!
  • Never leave someone who is very drunk on their own... Make sure they are lying on their side (recovery position) so that they do not choke if they're sick.
  • Get help! - Call an ambulance by dialling 999. Dont't worry about getting caught drinking - you could save a life.
  • Never get into a car if the driver has been drinking alcohol.
  • Plan how you will get home before you go out
Reasons Not To Drink:
  • Lose weight and feel fitter.
  • Have more energy
  • Save money!
  • Not embarass yourself
  • Avoid accidents and injuries
  • Less likely to get into fights
  • You won't be putting stuff on facebook you regret
  • Won't have the 'beer goggle' effect (getting with someone you wouldn't normally fancy)
  • Less likely to have unsafe sex
  • Have better skin and appearance
  • Sleep better
  • You can still have a good time without drinking!
Get Support And Advice From

Or you could also get help and support from:

  • Your local GP
  • Someone you trust at school/college
  • www.nhs.co.uk
    (drink tracker app for the iPhone)
  • www.drinkaware.co.uk
    (Join my drinkaware for personalised support, tips, drinks diaries & change plans
  • www.talktofrank.com
    (Young peoples stories, help & support)
Common Effects And Consequences

As the amount you drink increases both the immediate and longer terms risks will increase. Your risks will also increase the younger you are as your brain is still developing so alcohol can effect your health more seriously.

AUDIT C SCORE RISK COMMON EFFECTS
AND CONSEQUENCES
0-4 Lower Risk
  • Relaxed
  • Sociable
  • Feeling good, having a laugh
5-7 Increasing Risk
  • Hurt yourself
  • Feel grump, angry and more argumentative
  • Get into risk situations
  • Have unsafe sex and/or sex you later regret
  • Be involved in a sexual assault
  • Catch an STI (sexually transmitted disease)
  • Gain excess weight
  • Skin looks rubbish
  • Lose things, such as money, mobile phones etc
  • Memory loss/blackout
  • Make mistakes or act in a way you normally wouldn't
  • Put photos on Facebook you later wished you had'nt
  • Write things on facebook you dont remember until the next day when its too late and all your Facebook friends have seen it including your family
  • Alcohol overdose or poisoning
  • Dangerous when mixing with drugs and mess up prescriptions
  • Problems with school or college
  • Relationship and family issues
  • Problems sleeping (insomnia)
  • Less energy or more stessed
8-12 Higher Risk

SAME AS FOR INCREASING RISK PLUS...

  • Breast cancer and other cancers
  • Liver disease
  • High blood pressure/heart attack/stroke
  • Alcohol dependance
  • Problems with gut (stomach)