Don't order more than you planned this Christmas and Make Your Night Last says Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team
Mon 12th Dec 2011
That’s why LDAAT is co-ordinating a campaign with The Safer Lancashire Partnership, called ‘Make your night last’ from 1 December until the New Year.
The campaign is based on research carried out for LDAAT by Lancaster University*, which showed a rise in a trend called ‘preloading’ or drinking to get drunk at home before going to a bar or nightclub. The trend often leads to people getting very drunk earlier in the night and increased levels of crime and other risky behaviour.
Strategic Director of LDAAT, Tom Woodcock, said: “Getting into the habit of ‘preloading’ before a night out can ruin your evening before you’re even out of the front door.”
“20-25 year olds are binge drinking at home before going out, which means they are just too drunk to make the most of their evening by the time they get to a club or bar. If you drink too much, you are more likely to get involved in a fight, end up in A and E or lose your friends and possessions. By pacing yourself, you can have a great night out without having to come home before midnight!”
Binge drinking is classed as drinking more than eight units of alcohol a day for men (three pints of strong beer) or six units for women, ( two large glasses of wine). Drinking six units of alcohol in a short space of time, increases the concentration of alcohol in your blood, which means you will get drunk very quickly. By drinking the same amount over a couple of hours and alternating with soft drinks and some food, you can greatly reduce the effects of alcohol.
LDAAT’s research found that 58% of 18-35 years olds in the region ‘preloaded’ before going out, with more women than men (60% and 55%) drinking to excess before leaving the house. Many mentioned cost as a reason for ‘preloading’, another reason why Christmas often results in more people drinking too much before hitting the town.
But drinking too much at home can spoil the night for others too as Councillor David Smith, Chair of the Safer Lancashire Partnership, explains: “We really want people to enjoy themselves at Christmas so this campaign isn’t about removing the fun altogether. We just want to encourage people not to spoil their night by overdoing things before they even make it to the pub or club.
“When people get extremely drunk early on in the evening, their behaviour can create a real headache for anyone left to pick up the pieces such as the police, medical staff and fire brigade. They may have got so drunk, they don’t remember what happened, but those left to clear up their mess definitely won’t recall it being a good night out!”
Billboards in Preston, Burnley and Lancaster, posters in bars and targeted advertising on Facebook will all be used to spread the message that drinking too much before stepping out of the front door can seriously damage your night out. A Facebook page has been set up to encourage young people to share their tips on staying safe and making your night last longer, whether that is alternating alcoholic drinks with water or making sure you stay with your friends. Visit www.makeyourlast.co.uk and click through to Facebook to share tips for a top night out.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Jaine.barry@centrallancashire.nhs.uk or phone, 01772 777060 or 07950402923.
· This information has been taken from a report commissioned by LDAAT, looking into emerging drug trends in Lancashire and the night time economy, 2011. The report was conducted by Dr Fiona Measham, Dr Karenza Moore and Dr Jeanette Østergaard from Lancaster University.
· The second phase of LDAAT’s research into attitudes towards drink and drugs and the night time economy in Lancashire, can now be downloaded at www.ldaat.org
· The Safer Lancashire Partnership is the community safety partnership for Lancashire, its members include: Lancashire County Council; Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (LDAAT), Lancashire’s Police Authority and Fire and Rescue Service; East, Central and North Lancashire Primary Care Trusts and the Probation Trust.
Information about drinking responsibly and binge drinking
- Some studies show drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short space of time can be significantly worse for your health than frequently drinking small quantities.
- Accidents and falls are more common because being very drunk affects your balance and co-ordination. Binge drinking has also been linked to self-harm.
- Overdosing on alcohol can stop you breathing or stop your heart, or you could choke on your vomit.
- Binge drinking can affect your mood and your memory and in the longer term can lead to serious mental health problems.
- More commonly, binge drinking can lead to anti-social, aggressive and violent behaviour.
- You are advised to have a couple of alcohol-free days each week to allow your liver to recover
- Alternating soft drinks with alcoholic drinks, making sure you have a healthy meal before going out and drinking long drinks with lemonade or coke, over a longer period of time, will greatly reduce the effects of alcohol and lead to less of a hangover the next day
For more information visit: http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/