To drink or not to drink
It probably won’t be too long until somebody offers you an alcoholic drink. Perhaps it won’t be for the first time. It’s your choice whether to drink alcohol or not, so it’s worth thinking about how you will respond.
The more you drink, the less you think straight. Drink too much and you can end up doing things that you wouldn’t usually do - getting into trouble with your friends, your family and possibly even the police.
So here’s a few ideas to make sure you stay in control.
- If you don’t want to drink, you don’t have to. Simply be confident with people and say that you are not drinking. You don’t have to explain yourself or lie. There are likely to be a number of reasons why you don’t want to drink, such as you might have to keep a clear head for a test at school or you might not like the taste of alcohol. It may be that you are feeling unwell or taking medication. If you prefer not to say anything, you could always pour yourself a soft drink and let other people assume it contains alcohol.
- If you do drink, there are some simple things to do to stay in control. Before you start drinking, be clear how much you want to drink and when you’re going to stop. If you eat before you drink, you will absorb the alcohol better.
- If you go out and drink, tell someone where you are going, make sure you know how you’re going to get home. Put aside some money for a taxi in case you need it. Always stick close to a friend and never leave one of your friends out alone. Never get into a car if you know the driver has been drinking.
More and more young people are choosing not to drink. The health advice is that young people should not drink alcohol before they are 15, and the healthiest option is not to drink until you are 18.
You choose!
|
