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>> There really is a problem with young people and alcohol. It's true what we see in the
newspapers and on the TV. Even though the evidence shows that there are slightly fewer
young people drinking alcohol, those who are, are drinking earlier, drinking more often,
and drinking - overall - more alcohol. >> Alcohol does affect younger people at an
early age in life in a way different to adults. We also know that younger people often find
it more difficult to regulate their alcohol intake. They tend to have much more difficulty
controlling what they are drinking. Their brains are more sensitive, very often, to
the effects of alcohol, and they end up getting intoxicated - drunk - very much more easily.
And as a result of that, they get involved in trouble, they get involved in accidents,
they get involved in fights, very often as the victims of fights, and they frequently
pitch up, as we know, at Accident & Emergency in a sorry state. And very, very rarely, tragically,
they end up in the mortuary. >> Younger people tend to be affected slightly
differently in terms of the long-term effects of alcohol. We know that developmentally they're
still susceptible and so alcohol has been shown to have an effect particularly on the
neurological system. And what we're beginning to see now, with young people starting at
an even earlier age, is the development of very serious diseases like liver cirrhosis,
happening not in the teenage years, because it does take years to develop, but actually
it is beginning to develop in late twenties, certainly in the early thirties. Something
that we've never seen before.
Parents and professionals working with young people have a really important role to play,
both in talking with young people about their alcohol consumption, and indeed in setting
a good example. In terms of talking with young people, the key principle is to find the right
time, and to start young enough as well. And to discuss alcohol in a non-judgemental way.
Give the youngster the opportunity to talk about their understanding, their thoughts,
their concerns about their drinking and respond in a sensible way. Sometimes it's easiest to
hook a conversation like that to something that they've seen on a TV soap or somewhere
else. But the important thing to remember is: start young. Kids are starting drinking,
we know, in early teens, usually by thirteen. Parents very often feel that they should delay
the discussion, but actually it's really important to start the discussions young and it's never
too early to set the right example.
The Chief Medical Officer recommends that children should have an alcohol- free childhood.
In any case, children really shouldn't have a drink, if at all possible, before the age
of fifteen. And then if they are going to drink between then and eighteen it should
be under careful parental supervision and really no more than once a week.
There's evidence that parental example is really important in terms of predicting future
patterns of drinking amongst children. And parents should really try to set a good example
to their children by their own drinking habits. Just to remind you, the recommended guidelines
are for two to three units a day for women, three to four units a day for men, and if
possible one or two - at least - days a week alcohol free. That's not so difficult to do.
Very important that kids actually see this. We know from studies that this influences
their future drinking patterns.