Skills for the Job: Tackling alcohol misuse

How many children and young people drink?
There are 3.6 million 11- to 15-year-olds in the UK and research shows that 45 per cent of them have drunk alcohol. Nearly one in eight (12 per cent) will have drunk alcohol in the last week. On average, a young person will have their first unsupervised drink at 13, and it is likely that within a year they will be drinking without a parent or guardian’s oversight. The later young people start drinking, the less likely they are to become “increasing risk” drinkers, or people who regularly drink more than is good for them. The chief medical officer says an alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and best option, so delaying the age of a child’s first drink is important.
 
Is all underage drinking a concern or are there circumstances where it is beneficial?
There is lots of debate about whether it is okay to let children have a small amount of alcohol to try, but there is no evidence to prove this gives children a responsible attitude to drinking in later life.
 
What impact can drinking too much have?
Drinking alcohol can contribute to multiple social harms. These include poor educational performance, risky sexual behaviour, crime and disorder, and a range of physical and psychological harms.

Children are more likely to take risks than adults when they drink due to hormonal changes during puberty. Alcohol can further impair children’s judgment, leaving them vulnerable. More than a third of 16- and 17-year-olds say they have walked home alone at night when drunk.

Alcohol can make young people more likely to have unprotected sex as it affects rational decision making. Children are especially vulnerable to alcohol poisoning from drinking too much in a short period. Alcohol can also cause weight gain and disrupt sleep patterns.

In the longer-term, alcohol can damage the liver and brain development. If children binge drink, they are more likely to binge drink as adults.

What signs should those who work with young people look out for?
It can be difficult to tell if a young person is starting to experiment with alcohol, so it is important not to inflame the situation by accusing them. That said, don’t be shy to ask questions. Young people are going through confusing and stressful changes, and while they may be keen to become independent, the evidence is that they really do value support. It is important that young people get a consistent message about alcohol and know that there are consequences. But they also need to know that you are there to support them.

Signs to be aware of that could prompt conversations are: