Background notes

Teenage binge drinking is not only detrimental to health but also affects an individual's behaviour whilst they are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol affects cognitive, perceptual and motor functions and there is a causal role of alcohol intoxication for almost all types of accidents and violent behaviour. Studies in America have found that teenage binge drinking can be linked to impaired mental and social development, reduced school performance and attainment and increased likelihood of school drop-out. Binge drinking also causes higher levels of psychological problems, particularly anxiety and neurosis, than the same amount of alcohol consumed more steadily over a longer period.

In a UK study looking at the changes in teenage drinking habits over a ten-year period, the following results emerged. In England, the prevalence of drinking alcohol in an average week for all pupils aged 11 to 15 years increased slightly from 21 per cent in 1990 to 24 per cent in 2000.

• Boys were more likely than girls to have drunk in the last week, 25 per cent of boys compared with 23 per cent of girls in 2000.
• Boys aged 11 to 15 years were likely to consume more units of alcohol than girls in the same age group.
• In 2000, the average consumption for boys was 11.6 units compared with 9.1 units for girls. Beer, lager and cider were the most popular types of alcohol drunk by both boys and girls.
• 25% of 11–15 year olds reported drinking alcohol.
• Drinking becomes more common as young people move through their teenage years rising to 49% of 15 year olds.
• Alcohol consumption amongst young people has increased since 1990.
• In 2003 the average consumption per week amongst young drinkers was 10.5 units for boys and 8.5 for girls, almost twice the amount consumed in 1990, but less than in the previous year.
• 36% of men aged 16–24 reported drinking more than 8 units of alcohol a day at least once in the previous week.
• 26% of women reported drinking more than 6 units. This is over twice the recommended safe daily limit.
• Research has shown an association between drug and alcohol use and unsafe sex.
• 20% of young men and 13% of young women aged 15–19 cited alcohol as the main reason for first intercourse. The younger the woman the more likely it is that alcohol was involved.
• 40% of young people had not used contraception on at least one occasion because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Young people are twice as likely not to use contraception if alcohol is cited as the main reason for sex according to a survey for Channel 4.
• The first National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles also found that 62% of those who reported alcohol as a factor in the decision to have first intercourse used no contraception compared to 30% who said they were in love.