A guide to booze...

Whether we are celebrating exam success, a birthday, festive holiday or just to have a fun night out with our mates – we all like a have a drink or two.....or three....or six...

Enjoying yourself and drinking alcohol is fine, but drinking excessively – or binge drinking – on a regular basis can have a long-term effect on your health.

You need to be careful because as a young person your body is growing and developing all the time.

Plus if you drink too much, you could end up saying or doing things that you regret afterwards and upset friends and family that have to look after you in your drunken state.

Often binge drinking can cause people to act in an exaggerated way and get angry at trivial things. This can sometimes lead to starting or getting involved in fights and get you into trouble with the police.

Did you know that about 10,000 young people end up in hospital every year due to alcohol abuse? Teenage alcoholism and binge drinking is a problem that exists all over Essex, in places like Chelmsford, Colchester, Harwich and Clacton.

If you would like some alcohol advice and support please contact the Frisky or Risky team based at the Cornerstone Clinic in Colchester on 01206 363003 or the  Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol service in Chelmsford on 01245 493311.