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Mixing alcohol and sex put young people at risk

27 Nov 2009

Drinking alcohol increases the chances of young people taking risks, including with their sexual health, according to new research from alcohol charity Drinkaware and sexual health charity Brook. One in four (25%) 16 and 17 year olds had been drinking alcohol the first time they had sex without a condom and more than half (51%) have friends who have had sex without a condom because they were drunk (1).

As part of a long term partnership, Drinkaware and Brook are joining forces over Christmas and the New Year to distribute packs to young people which contains information about alcohol, sexual health and personal safety(2). Research shows that teenage conceptions peak in December and January (3) so the charities are reaching out to young people at a particularly risky time.

The ‘Have fun. Be careful.’ campaign will remind young people that drinking alcohol can affect their ability to assess risks, to use a condom if they choose to have sex and to make plans to get home safely after a night out. As well as receiving a campaign pack, which includes a condom and mobile phone credit, 16 and 17 year olds will also receive a text message on New Years Eve, reminding them to ‘Have fun’ and ‘Be careful.’ if they’re celebrating.

The Drinkaware and Brook survey of 16 and 17 year olds also shows that:

• One in four (25%) admit they would be more likely to have sex without a condom if they were drinking alcohol but over half (51%) rarely or never carry condoms on a night out;
• One third (32%) would be unlikely to have an STI test after having sex without a condom;
• 15% get drunk at least three times a week;
• Over a third (34%) walked home alone at night in the dark when drunk(4);
• One in 10 (10%) had sex when they were drunk and regretted it afterwards(4).

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:

“We know that many 16 and 17 year olds regularly get drunk and this can increase the chances of young people finding themselves in a difficult, often risky situation.

“Young people might think they know everything there is to know about alcohol, sex and how to look after themselves, but it is really important for us all to ensure they have the right advice and information to help avoid taking unnecessary risks.

“Providing advice over Christmas and New Year is especially important as this is when teenage conceptions are at their highest, but young people need to know that drinking to excess can make them vulnerable all year round. We hope the Drinkaware and Brook packs will help 16 and 17 year olds remember that drinking alcohol can mean doing something you might regret.”

Jules Hillier, Brook’s Director of Communications, says:

“We know from what young people tell us that they come under pressure to have unsafe sex in many ways, including as a result of alcohol use, so we are delighted to be working with Drinkaware on the closely connected issues of alcohol and poor sexual health. This campaign enables us to provide targeted support to young people when they most need it and in ways we know they like. By working this way, we hope to help young people better understand the risks they take and the links between alcohol and unsafe sex.

“The ‘Have fun. Be Careful’ campaign reminds young people to have fun, and if they are going to have sex to be extra careful and to make sure they use contraception.”

Ends

For more information please contact the Drinkaware media team:

Becky Medhurst
020 7307 7453 or 078 2797 1740 bmedhurst@drinkaware.co.uk

Laura Ellis
020 7307 7450 lellis@drinkaware.co.uk

David Fraser at Frank PR
020 7693 6999 or 07971 840206 drinkaware@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors:

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from One Poll. Total sample size was 1,000 16-17 year olds in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 11th and 15th November 2009. The survey was carried out online.

2. ‘Have fun. Be Careful.’ campaign packs will be distributed to 16 and 17 year olds in Brixton, Liverpool, Wirral, Birmingham, Manchester, Highlands, Stockton on Tees and Belfast via Brook centres. Outreach workers will also distribute packs in FE colleges in these areas, as well as in Croydon, Bolton and Coleraine in Northern Ireland.

3. Office of National Statistics, Total under-18 conceptions by month in England, 2000-2005 (courtesy of Teenage Pregnancy Unit). Six years of data from 2000 to 2005 inclusive show that there is a peak every year in the under-18 conception rates during December and January. On average, rates for those months are some 8% higher than the average rates of other months with about 21,000 conceptions among under-18s in both December and January between 2000 - 2005 inclusive.

4. Figures from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1071 16-17 year olds in England, Scotland and Wales. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd and 6th July 2009. The survey was carried out online.

Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works with the medical profession, the alcohol industry, government and independent members to achieve its goals.

• Alongside the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance, Drinkaware advises that ideally all under-18s should enjoy an alcohol free childhood. However, if a child is 15 -17 years old and does decide to drink, they should do so no more than once a week and no more than the daily recommended unit guidelines for men and women.
• Drinkaware advise men to stay within the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (equivalent of a pint and a half of lager) and women to stay within 2-3 units per day (equivalent of a 175ml glass of wine).
• Brook helps young people to make informed, active choices about their personal and sexual relationships so they can enjoy their sexuality without harm.

Brook is the UK’s leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25. The charity has 45 years of experience working with young people and currently has a network of services in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey.

Brook services provide free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counseling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and outreach and education work, reaching around 210,000 young people every year. www.brook.org.uk. Ask Brook helpline: 0808 802 1234.

Drinkaware and Brook partnership
Sexual health and alcohol are often addressed individually but alcohol can often have a part to play in teenage pregnancies, STI’s and other risky sexual behaviour.

Drinkaware and Brook’s long-term partnership will raise awareness with young people of the links between alcohol and sexual health and aim to help young people minimize these risks and develop safer behaviours with regard to both alcohol and sex.

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