A study by Sussex University has reported that young people underestimate the amount of units in their typical drink.
Published in Drug and Alcohol Review, the study found young people underestimated unit content despite a good level of understanding of the recommended guidelines. Senior Psychology lecturer Dr Richard de Visser stated "Our results indicate that young people tend not to possess the knowledge or skills to drink alcohol in accordance with Government guidelines".
Nevertheless the apparent lack of knowledge about units by young people appears to be echoed by adults too - see an exploration of adult's knowledge of units and guidelines in the Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2011 report. The government has recently launched the Change4Life campaign to educate the general public on alcohol harms.
However, up in Liverpool, the Duchess of Cambridge drew attention to a nightspot aimed at offering young people the chance of an alcohol-free night out. Kate Middleton is President of Action on Addiction, and her visit raised the profile of the alcohol-free venue. The Brink has been open for 8 months, and offers a bar, restaurant and performance space. See here for a Findings search on the possible role of diversionary activities.
Based in what was a disused garage, it is one of a number of 'dry bars' springing up around the country. Hannams, a Kurdish restaurant in Edinburgh and Scotland's biggest dry bar, similarly offers an alcohol-free night out. Such dry bars could be considered a response to an apparent trend in a rising number of young people aged 11 to 15 who have never been drunk, though those drinking may be consuming more.
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