Drinking
WHAT IS DRINKING?
Drinking is the term used to refer to the consumption of alcohol.
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
An alcohol beverage is one that contains ethanol and water and in some cases a very high sugar content.
Once consumed alcohol gets into the bloodstream and travels to every part of the body affecting the brain, liver and kidneys.
AT WHAT AGE CAN AN INDIVIDUAL DRINK ALCOHOL?
The law states that an individual under 18 years of age cannot try and drink alcohol in the UK.
AT WHAT AGE CAN A CHILD ENTER A BAR OR PUB AND BUY A DRINK?
Under section 145 of the licensing act 2003 a child can enter a pub or bar as long as they are with an adult of 18 years or over. However an individual can enter a bar or pub by themselves but are not allowed to purchase alcohol.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 145 OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Under section 146 of the licensing act 2003 an individual has to be 18 years and over to buy and drink alcohol in a bar.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 146 OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003
CAN YOUR CHILD HAVE A GLASS OF WINE AT HOME OR IN A PUB WITH A MEAL?
Under section 149 of the licensing act 2003 your child can have a cider, wine or beer with a meal at the age of 16 years if they are with an adult of 18 years or over.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR SECTION 149 OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003
WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?
Binge drinking is when a lot of alcohol is consumed at any one time. Most individuals who binge drink are not dependent on drink.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DRINKING ON YOUR CHILDREN?
- Alcohol is a drug and a depressant. It slows the function of the brain and mind, and alters how someone speaks, thinks and changes their behaviour.
- It can change their perception and the state of their emotions.
- They can become addicted and start relying on drink to be happy, to relax, to speak to someone or get through the day.
- Drinking over a long period of time can lead to chronic diseases such as liver damage, heart disease, stomach issues, high blood pressure, and various cancers.
- Drinking can lead to bouts of violence, accidents, drunk driving, suicide, and unwanted pregnancies.
- Drinking can lead to impaired judgement.
- Drinking can lead to a teenager having unprotected sex.
- Drinking can lead to reduced capability in sports.
- Drinking can lead to memory and learning issues.
- Drinking can damage a growing body.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR SHOULD MY CHILD DRINK ALCOHOL
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR ADDICTION – WHAT IS IT?
HOW CAN PARENTS DISCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN FROM DRINKING?
1. Be careful about the impression you give to your children about alcohol. Children often have the impression that it’s fun, relaxing, a party isn’t a party without alcohol and you cannot be social unless there is a drink in your hand.
2. Drink responsibly around your children, especially younger children.
3. Show your child that alcohol is not a stress reliever and there are other ways to relieve stress
4. Talk to your children about the effects of drinking and how it can damage their health.
5. Talk to your children about the dangers of drinking and driving.
6. Explain that drinking can impair their judgement and can lead to them doing things they could regret later such as unprotected sex.
7. Talk to your children about others spiking their drinks when at a bar, club or night club.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR SPIKING DRINKS, INJECTING AND GIVING A DRUG
8. Take your children to an anonymous alcoholics meeting and get them to talk to recovered alcoholics.
DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY?
Under no circumstances should an individual drink any form of alcohol while pregnant. Not even one drink should be consumed. There is no safe level.
Alcohol can pass through the placenta and the unborn baby cannot deal with the alcohol. It can cause birth defects and developmental disabilities in the child.
Drinking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature birth and/or smaller babies. Consistent drinking during pregnancy can cause major mental and physical disabilities also known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR FOETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME UK
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOUR CHILD HAS A DRINK PROBLEM?
A child that starts drinking can very easily become addicted, resulting in them having a drink problem.
For a parent it can be very shocking, traumatising and overwhelming to discover your child has a drink issue. You may be disheartened at how it happened and you may blame yourself. We advise you not to blame yourself because children are exposed to so much these days and with our busy lives it is easy to not see it coming.
You will want to help your child stop their addiction, stop their craving for alcohol and get them better so they can focus on their lives.
We have written this section to inform you that you are not alone and there is much help out there for you. Here are some suggestions:
Contact your GP
Make an appointment for your child with your GP. Go with your child and explain everything to your GP. They will help. They can refer your child to the local alcohol treatment services.
Contact your child’s school
The school staff member in charge of dealing with drug issues, the pastoral care team and the safeguarding lead will help you and refer you to the local alcohol treatment service. If they cannot, they will guide you where to go for help.
Contact your local authority
Go onto your local authority website and there will be a section concerning alcohol misuse and help. There will be a telephone number and an email address. Contact them for help. They will also refer you to your local alcohol treatment service.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
Contact Drinkline
You can call 0300 123 1110. This is a free helpline open weekdays from 9am until 8pm and weekends from 11am until 4pm.
Read the following webpages – click on the links below
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR FIND ALCOHOL ADDICTION SUPPORT SERVICES IN YOUR AREA
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR ALCOHOL ANONYMOUS – FIND A MEETING
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR WE ARE WITH YOU – HELP AND ADVICE
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR ADFAM – FIND LOCAL SUPPORT
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SMART RECOVERY – FIND A MEETING
LINK TO CARERS TRUST – CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH ALCOHOL MISUSE ISSUES
WHAT WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS CAN YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCE IF THEY ARE TRYING TO GIVE UP ALCOHOL?
When your child is having treatment for alcohol addiction they will suffer from many withdrawal symptoms. Some of them can be:
- Anxiety
- Depression.
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Jumpiness
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Confusion and brain fog
- Vomiting
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Dilated pupils
- Agitation
- Rapid heart rate
WHERE ELSE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact DRINKLINE – You can call 0300 123 1110. This is a free helpline open weekdays from 9am until 8pm and weekends from 11am until 4pm.
You can contact NSPCC – If your child is drinking you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child is drinking.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SAMARITANS – The Samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about drinking. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about drinking. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child is drinking and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.