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Alcohol

Top Tips

If you’re planning a night out follow our tips for sensible drinking & stay safe – don’t let a good night out turn into a bad one!


  • Be aware of how much you are drinking – both the quantity and the strength of the alcohol. Most brands have the units advertised on the product.
  • Avoid alcohol when you feel down – it will only make you feel worse!
  • Don’t mix drink & drugs. It can be very dangerous.
  • Don’t drink too much or too often. Don’t drink everyday.
  • Pace yourself, take sips not gulps.


  • Beware of being spiked. Keep a close eye on your drink & other people’s drinks & don’t leave them unattended.
  • Avoid being around people who are drunk. They may become violent.
  • Eat something before you go out – try not to drink on an empty stomach.
  • Avoid sexual situations you may regret later. If you do have sex, use condoms.
  • Don’t drive or operate machinery after drinking.
  • You could also drink lower-strength drinks, drink water as well.


  • Make sure you are with friends that you trust & would be able to look out for you if you start to feel too intoxicated, remember never leave someone on their own under the influence of alcohol.
  • Look out for your friends – tell them when it is time to stop & make sure they also get home safely. If the worse happens, phone an ambulance if it is serious & stay with them.
  • Make sure you have a plan for getting home safely – get a taxi booked, store a taxi number or phone your parents.
  • If you are trying to cut down or stop, avoid people & places where people are drinking.
  • If you’re not going to drink, think of what reason you are going to give. Have the facts & your argument ready & be confident – it’s your decision.
  • Negotiate by talking with your parents. Work out what is acceptable for both of you. Let them know where you are & how you will get home.


  • Take control and set your own boundaries & make your own choices about whether to drink or not, when to drink, what to drink and how much to drink.
  • Get the facts – find out the truth about alcohol & drinking. Look at some of the other sites & resources on the internet and get the truths not the myths.
  • Try to stay out of rounds as this can force you to drink at other people’s speed (it will also save you money!)
  • Set yourself a drinks limit for the night & stick to it.
  • If you don’t want to drink at someone else’s pace then don’t & be firm in your decision. Don’t give into peer pressure – make your own choices.
  • Keep track on what you have drunk so far that night.
  • Use more mixers in your drinks
  • Avoid large drinks, especially doubles or large glasses of wine.


  • Remember have fun! You do not have to drink large quantities of alcohol to enjoy yourself with friends on a night out…


Support

For support and advice contact The Network



Logo for The Network

Support, Information and advice for young people about drugs and alcohol: contact ‘The Network’ on 01375 376111 / 390465 or you can email us at thenetwork1@btconnect.com.

And at Open Door on 01375 413740 at the Connexions Centre, 24-28 Orsett Road, Grays.