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[alcohol info]

Many young people experiment with and use alcohol for a variety of reasons. The information on this page will help you become aware of some of the risks associated with drinking and point you in the right direction if you need some support.

Addiction or dependency?

Many people use and understand the word 'addiction' when referring to problem drinking, drug using or gambling, so we've used the term on our website. But at NORCAS, we often use the terms 'dependency' or 'addictive behaviour' instead because they're preferred by the World Health Organisation, and because they're less judgemental too.

 

Is it safe to drink alcohol?

As a young person, your body and organs are still developing and you're smaller in size, so if you must drink then you should drink less than the Government guidelines say. Remember that these guidelines for safer levels of drinking are for adults - there are no recommended safe limits for young people.

The recommended amount of alcohol for ADULTS is:

  • For women, 2-3 units per day with at least one alcohol free day a week
  • For men, 3-4 units per day with at least one alcohol free day a week
 

What are units?

Units are a way of being able to 'add up' the amount you are drinking. For example, here's the number of units contained in these alcoholic drinks:

  • 440ml can of normal strength lager or cider
  • 330ml bottle of strong lager or cider
  • 1 litre bottle of strong cider
  • 330ml of alcopop
2 units
2 units
8 units
1.4 units





 

Find out more

If you'd like to know more about units or anything else about alcohol, please contact us and we'll send you a free booklet. Call us FREE 0808 2081701 or email youth@norcas.org.uk.

 

Tips for reducing harm

  • Nothing sobers you up except time. Black coffee may make you feel more alert but it doesn't rid the body of alcohol, only the liver can do that.
  • For the average person it takes about 20 minutes for alcohol to reach the liver and about one hour to process one unit after that. This is why, after a night of heavy drinking, many people drink and drive the next morning without realising it.
  • The amount of alcohol concentration in the blood will vary form person to person depending on age, sex, weight, circumstance and state of health. There is no way of accurately gauging whether you are over the drink drive limit by the number of units you have consumed.
  • Alcohol is dehydrating. Drinking water before you sleep and while you're drinking will help diminish the effects of a hangover.
  • If you drink on an empty stomach you are much more likely to experience problems. Always eat before you go out drinking.
  • Mixing drinks is more likely to make you sick too - try to stick to one type and throw in the odd non-alcoholic drink to pace your drinking and reduce dehydration.
  • Mixing alcohol with drugs makes it more likely you will experience problems. Alcohol is a depressant drug and if it is mixed with other depressant drugs such as tranquillisers, heroin or solvents, overdose can occur.
  • Any amount of alcohol can affect your judgement, co-ordination and lower your inhibitions. This could mean that you're at risk from violence, unprotected sex, unwanted sex, accidents and other risky behaviour. Try to be around people you trust who will make sure you stay safe.
  • Alcohol is a painkiller. If you hurt yourself when you're drunk, you may not realise how serious it is until some time later.
  • Alcohol is addictive - if you drink more than 20 units a day, serious withdrawal can result when you stop. Make sure you seek medical advice.
  • The Police can confiscate alcohol from you if you're aged under 18 and drinking in a public place like the street, beach or park. Shouting, fighting and generally being rowdy could lead to you being arrested for being 'drunk and disorderly'.
 

How to spot the signs of dependency

Dependency means being unable to go with out alcohol either physically or psychologically. Males in the 20 - 24 age group and females in the 16 - 19 age group show the highest rates of dependency. Young people are drinking more alcohol more often, which means they are more likely to become dependent at a younger age.

If you relate to any of the following statements, it may mean you're dependent or at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol.

Loss of Control

  • "Once I started drinking it was difficult for me to stop before I became completely drunk"
  • "I sometimes kept on drinking after I had promised myself not"
  • "I deliberately tried to cut down or stop drinking but I was unable to do so"
  • "Sometimes I needed a drink so badly that I could not think of anything else"

Symptomatic behaviour

  • "I have skipped a number of regular meals while drinking"
  • "I have often had an alcoholic drink first thing in the morning"
  • "I have had a strong drink in the morning to get over the previous night's drinking"
  • "I have woken up the next day unable to remember some of the things I had done while drinking"
  • "My hands shook in the morning after drinking"
  • "I need more alcohol than I used to, to get the same effect as before"
  • "Sometimes I have woken up during the night or early morning sweating all over because of drinking"
  • "I am missing or being late for school/college/work due to the ill effects of my drinking"
  • "My friends/family tell me that my drinking is a problem"

Binge drinking

  • "I have drunk large amounts of alcohol over a brief period of time, for example over a two to three day period"
 

How to get some help

Alcohol can affect young people in many different ways so if you're worried about your drinking, or someone else's, you can talk to us in confidence at NORCAS. Call us FREE 0808 2081701 or find your nearest NORCAS centre.

Our alcohol services

At NORCAS, we offer a wide range of services to help young people to be more informed about alcohol, to reduce or stop their use of alcohol and develop ways to be safer if they choose to drink. Find out more about our services.

Refer someone

Get information about our referrals procedure.

Refer yourself

Find out more about self-referrals.