Alcohol is legal in the UK, easily accessible, and socially acceptable. It can be bought cheaply and is widely available. The government, public services, and charities agree that alcohol abuse and a lack of alcohol awareness cause massive harm to individuals, families, communities, and society. As a result, the financial costs of dealing with these issues are huge. Many people in our society use alcohol as a means of celebration or commiseration, and many use alcohol responsibly in social situations to relax and have fun.  Others choose not to use alcohol for various reasons, including cultural or religious beliefs.

Alcohol Awareness and Young People

Young people often emulate adults, seeing experimentation with alcohol as a ‘rite of passage’ and a part of adolescence. Peer pressure can lead them to use alcohol, often in conjunction with tobacco and other drugs.  Due to their age, stage in life, and brain development, they typically lack alcohol awareness and strategies to manage its effects.  Because of this lack of awareness, they are exposed to risky behaviors, including criminal and sexual activities, which they are ill-equipped to handle and which can have far-reaching consequences. As a result, young people’s lives can be profoundly impacted emotionally, socially, educationally, and physically, affecting them well into later years.