Tis the season to be jolly
Article by Rachel Ayres, December 2007
A young person's guide to surviving Christmas:
The Christmas season is fast approaching, and for many young people this is the opportunity they take to drink alcohol.
Home Office statistics show that nearly half of all young people drink above the daily recommendation, and during the Christmas season this amount is certain to increase. It is frightening to think that one in three rapes occur when a person has been drinking, and nearly half of all violent crime is alcohol-related.
At this time of year it is particularly important to take care of yourself.
Alcohol will lower your inhibitions and make your more susceptible to people who may want to cause you harm.
Alcohol will not make you cool. The effects of drinking it are far from attractive; saying or doing something out of the ordinary, slurred speech and no control over dangerous situations. If you could see yourself when you are drunk, you would realise how stupid you look.
So what can you do to survive this time of year?
Just say NO!
It may sound like an easy thing to do, but it is important to realise that no one will think less of you if you don’t drink. If your friends pressure you to drink, have more respect for yourself than they have for you, and politely refuse!
Drink slower
Choose a non-alcoholic drink and drink it slowly. If your friends offer to buy you an alcoholic drink, you can say ‘no thanks’!
Find a distraction
Play pool or darts, so you don’t feel compelled to constantly drink.
Never feel ashamed
It is important to keep a level head and be in control of a situation; you can do this by not drinking.
Have a safe Christmas, and a sober New Year!