Parent resources

While buying alcohol in pubs or shops is illegal for under-18s, most children have the occasional drink long before that. Day schools do not allow drinking. Neither do many boarding schools (see our school profiles), which leaves young people to find out about drinking in the holidays or after they leave school. But some boarding schools allow some supervised drinking in sixth form bars − of beer and wine; spirits are almost always prohibited. This may stop alcohol from having quite the illicit appeal that drugs and cigarettes enjoy but it may not stop teenagers experimenting with cheap wine and strange spirits.

Habitual heavy drinking is far worse for adolescents than for adults. Their bodies are less able to cope with quantities of alcohol and there is an increased likelihood of dependence. If teenagers are drinking heavily and regularly (especially if they are drinking alone) it could be a symptom of other problems. Speak to your GP or consult Alcoholics Anonymous (address in the local telephone directory; or contact AA’s national helpline 0845 769 7555; or check the website www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk). The Royal College of Psychiatrists has useful leaflet on alcohol and drugs (see under Mental Health Information on its website http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk">www.rcpsych.ac.uk or ring 020 7235 2351 for a copy).