MOTHERS 35 PLUS

There are all sorts of myths 'out there' about young people and drinking - but the facts are often very different from the fiction:-

The statistics

A report by Fuller, published in 2008 by the National Centre for Social Research, National Foundation for Educational Research, found that by the time most young people reach 15, more than eight out of 10 have already tried alcohol. Despite this, the number of teenagers who partake in underage drinking has actually declined in recent years. However, those who do drink are consuming more alcohol, more often.

In England, the proportion of young people aged 11-15 who reported having drunk alcohol decreased from six out of 10 to five out of 10, between 1988 and 2007. However, the amount they reported drinking increased from just over six units per week in 1994 to close to 13 units per week in 2007.

The largest increase was seen in 14 year olds, whose reported alcohol consumption rose from around six to just under 10 units per week.

A Swedish survey, published in 2009, found that out of 35 European countries the UK has the third highest proportion of 15-year olds who report being drunk 10 or more times in the past year.

Alcohol-related hospital admissions amongst teenagers

NHS 2009 statistics show that each year around 5,000 teenagers are admitted to hospital for alcohol-related reasons, whilst binge drinking is responsible for over half of the deaths associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

Government advice

In December 2009, Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, published government advice for young people and their parents on alcohol consumption. The report stated that children should not drink before they are 15, and between 15 and 17 they should only drink when they are supervised by a parent or other adult.

Parents' influence on teenage alcohol consumption

A 2010 survey showed that more than half of parents in the UK who plan to provide their 16 and 17-year old children with alcohol for a one week holiday would be providing them and their friends with five or more bottles of spirits or wine.

Parents are the main suppliers of alcohol to 15-17 year olds, with 61% of teens who had drunk at home in the last week saying their parents had provided them with the alcohol and 43% saying their family had provided them with alcohol for parties.

Most children would prefer to go to their parents for drinking advice, with 65% saying they'd go to their mother and 51% to their father.

Caffeinated alcoholic beverages

There is rising concern about caffeinated alcoholic beverages, which contain spirits and energy drinks and are popular among young people.

Mixing energy drinks and alcohol can mask the effects of alcohol, and drinkers who consume a mix of the two are 3 times more likely to binge drink. They are also twice as likely to be taken advantage of sexually.

Sex and alcohol

A 2009 Swedish study found that in the year 2007, after drinking alcohol, 11% of young people engaged in unprotected sex. 11% again claimed to regret that encounter.

Drink driving

A 2007 survey found that one in five teenagers admitted to drink driving, while a third (32%) had been a passenger in a car with a driver who was drunk.

Antisocial behaviour, crime and violence

Antisocial behaviour, crime and violence are all fuelled by alcohol consumption. A Home Office survey found that one in five (18%) 12-13 year olds and over a quarter (28%) of 14-15 year olds caused damage while drinking, while one in 10 15-16 year olds said that drinking had caused them to get into trouble with the police.

Long-term alcohol-related health problems

Long-term health conditions in later life are more likely as a result of starting drinking alcohol as a young person. Young bodies are still growing, and alcohol can harm their development. Regular drinking can lead to cancer, liver disease, heart disorders and impotence in later life.

 

MyDrinkaware is a free app you can use to track drinking: http://my.drinkaware.co.uk/users/sign_up

This post has been sponsored by Drinkaware, but the narrative above is our own.