Alcohol – maybe you’ve tried it, maybe you haven’t.
If you are going to have the occasional drink, you need to be smart about it. Sure, it might give you a bit of a confidence boost, and be fun, but sometimes it can make you do things you don’t want to do and put you in situations you don’t really want to be in.
Drinking too much can leave you vulnerable. Make sure you’re always in control because, whatever happens, it’s you that has to live with the consequences.
Find out all the facts about drinking and how to stay safe at Direct Gov.

Drinking alcohol can be especially harmful if you’re under 15, so it is recommended that you don’t drink at all if you’re under this age.

The best advice for your health is not to drink alcohol until you’re 18. If you do choose to drink before then, remember to:

• make sure you’re with a responsible adult who will stop you doing anything that could be dangerous
• never drink more than once a week
• never drink more than the recommended number of units in a day.

You can find out more about the daily recommended units for adults at NHS Choices.

If you want more information or advice, about alcohol or drugs or if you are worried about a friend or someone in your family you can get help from the Under 19s Substance Misuse Service (U19s SMS).

Find out more at Get help with drug or alcohol problems.

You can always get someone else to contact us for you, like a parent, youth worker or Connexions personal adviser.

Deciding not to drink

Remember that it’s not weird or unnatural to choose not to drink alcohol. More and more young people are deciding not to drink at all, even if they are over 18.

The decision is yours.