Young people need to be mindful of the peer pressures they may face, including everything from spiked drinks to a simple offer of another drink when you’ve already had too many, and the fall-out that often results from excessive drinking.
Some tips for keeping your drinking in control include:
- Know how much alcohol is in what drink
- Drink slowly and avoid games such as skolling a drink of `neknominate’
- Alcohol does not quench your thirst but makes you more dehydrated. Drink water if thirsty.
- Do not let people top up your drinks
- Keep active – don’t just sit and drink
- Don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want
There are serious legal, health and social consequences for young people who drink too much or drink before the legal age.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Having too many drinks can lead young people to stupid, embarrassing and dangerous things. People lose their inhibitions as they drink more, and are therefore more prone to doing things they will later regret.
This can include:
- Becoming aggressive
- Becoming over-emotional
- Injuring yourself or others
- Doing unsafe activities, such as swimming at night while not in control
- Sexual activity
- Being physically sick
LEGAL ISSUES
It is now Victorian law to serve alcohol in a private home to anyone under 18, unless their parents have given permission.
Adults who break the law face fines over $7000 – the same amount a licensee would be fined for selling alcohol to a minor.
HEALTH ISSUES
Young people are particularly susceptible to binge drinking. There are both short-term and long-term impacts from binge drinking. The short-term impacts include:
- Hangovers
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Memory loss
- Alcohol poisoning
Long-term impacts include:
- Dependency on alcohol
- Brain, liver and heart damage
- Psychological problems
Alcohol abuse is a major cause of injury and death among young people.