Drinking

This script provides help and information for people who are worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.

Drinking alcohol can be lots of fun: it’s sociable, relaxing, a good laugh and can help you forget some of your worries. But many people drink alcohol in large amounts that are harmful to them, causing vomiting, headaches, irrational behaviour or even death through alcohol poisoning. Over a long period excessive drinking can lead to brain damage, depression and memory loss, impotence, obesity and all sorts of other health and social problems.

When you're drunk, it’s easy to lose control and do things you could regret later. And because of their physical make-up, alcohol has an even worse effect on young people and women.

Don’t feel you have to drink just because your mates are drinking, or think that it’s cool to see who can get the most legless. Try talking to your friends about other stuff you can do when you go out, or if you’re going out drinking, try mixing alcohol with soft drinks or having a night off drinking.

There’s lots of useful information available for young people and adults about the dangers of alcohol as well as advice on sensible drinking. Try contacting some of these organisations: they won’t lecture you, but will listen to you and answer your questions.

Alcohol Concern provide information about alcohol and alcohol services. Phone them on 020 7922 8667 (Mondays to Fridays 1pm-5pm. You can check out their website at www.alcoholconcern.org.uk.

Drinkline gives confidential information and advice to people in England, Scotland and Wales, and can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for one-to-one help. Phone Drinkline free on 0800 917 8282 (daily 9am-11pm).

Alcohol Focus Scotland also offers information, advice and referrals to local advice agencies. You can contact them on 0141 572 6700 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm).

You can also check your phone book under Alcohol, for details of your nearest alcohol advice agency.

Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, offers help for young people with alcoholic parents, carers or friends. You can phone Al-Anon and Alateen on 020 7403 0888 (10am-10pm). They have a website at www.hexnet.co.uk/alanon.

ChildLine is open to all young people up to the age of 18. If you want to speak to someone about anything which is causing you distress, you can phone ChildLine at any time of the day or night. Calls are free and confidential. Call them on 0800 11 11. Lines can be busy so please try again if you don’t get through first time.

The law relating to underage drinking is very clear: if you're under 18 you may not purchase, be supplied with or consume alcohol in a bar. However 16 and 17 year olds may purchase and consume beer, cider or perry to be taken with a meal in a restaurant. In Scotland, you can also consume wine. In Northern Ireland, a person under 18 may not enter a licensed premise.

The Channel 4 Health House website with lots of information about drinking, plus the opportunity to send a confidential question in the 'just ask ' section. Log on to www.channel4.com/health/drugs.

There are three other great websites on various health/mental health issues for young people. These addresses will take them straight to the pages about alcohol.

Key stage 4 — www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk/alcohol/alcmenu.html.

Key stage 3 — www.lifebytes.gov.uk/alcohol/alc_menu.html.

This is a health promotion site about drink geared to young people — www.wrecked.co.uk/noframes/index1.html.

This was produced by Broadcasting Support Services for Channel 4.