Young people who regularly see their parents drink are twice as likely to binge on alcohol themselves, but why?
Joseph Rowntree's research, 'Young people, alcohol and influences' (2011), found some interesting things:
- Young people who said they had seen their parents drunk, were twice as likely to have been drunk several times.
- The odds of a teenager having ever had an alcoholic drink are greater if:
- their parents do not know where they are on a Saturday night;
- or they are left unsupervised.
- Around 25% of 13/14 year olds and 52% of 15/16 year olds had been drunk more than once.
- What parents say and how they behave, has a strong impact their teenager's drinking (at all, regularly or to excess).
Love Wine O'Clock?
This is the drink at the end of the day that says, "me time". Alcohol Concern warns that this culture (among some parents) is a health risk.
This habit can be passed on to their children.
To help you to better understand your drinking, visit: Drinkaware: Self assessment.
Low risk drinking
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that it is:
- safest for men and women not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. This is around six pints of 4% beer or six small glasses of wine (175ml / 13% ABV).
A person is classified as having a binge drinking session if they have twice the safe daily intake of alcohol. This is 6 units or more in one session.
In Calderdale, binge drinkers and those identified as increasing risk drinkers make up 43% of the adult population. Data suggests that the number of people binge drinking in the Borough is much worse than the rest of England.
To help keep risks low, the advice is:
- Not to regularly drink more than 14 units per week. if you do, it is best to spread it evenly over 3 days or more.
- To limit the amount you drink on any one occasion, drink slowly and avoid risky places and activities.
- If you want to cut down on your drinking, a good way is to have several drink-free days each week.
- It is safest NOT to drink at all, if pregnant.
Do you think your drinking puts you above the low risk level? Are you regularly drinking more than 14 units per week? It could be time to re-think your relationship with alcohol.
Why not take the Drinkaware: Self assessment? This can help you explore your drinking habits and see if you are placing yourself at risk.
Get the 'Drink Less' app for your iPhone
Download the Drink Less App (iPhones only) and you can:
- keep track of your drinking and see how it changes over time;
- set goals and get feedback on your progress towards these goals;
- complete a daily mood diary to help you understand the effects of your hangover;
- play games designed to strengthen your resolve to drink less alcohol;
- create plans for dealing with situations when you may be tempted to drink excessively;
- take part in exercises designed to change how you think and feel about alcohol.
The App was created to help you reduce your consumption of alcohol. It is easy to use and the features will really help you.
When do I know I have an alcohol problem?
There are different types of alcohol addiction and you would not necessarily be stumbling around drunk every day.
To see if your drinking is alright or too much and you need to take action, visit: Drinkaware: Self assessment .
Alcohol treatments
Do you need to take action for yourself? Do you have a friend or family member that might be addicted to alcohol?
We support, Calderdale in Recovery. Their website offers:
- Information on alcohol treatment services and advice.
- Advice on alcohol treatment for those concerned about a friend or a loved one.
- Details of treatment services and support groups that are nearest to you.
For more details, help or advice, visit: Calderdale in Recovery. (The service also helps with drug problems.)
Are you caring for someone with alcohol problems? Would you like support? Then join others at the weekly meeting in Calderdale of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Have you successfully quit alcohol and want to help others to quit?
Calderdale in Recovery has a list of alcohol treatment services that you can contact and offer your help.
Sometimes people need to realise they are not on their own. Your story could make all the difference!
What are the alcohol facts in Calderdale?
In 2015-2016, around 400 people got treatment for alcohol abuse at a number of specialist treatment centres.