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Drinking alcohol, and getting drunk affects the way you think and feel. Some people might try to cope with worries by drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol underage drinking has risks to physical and mental wellbeing
The Law
The Law
If they’re under 18, it is against the law:
For someone to sell you alcohol
To buy or try to buy alcohol
For an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for you
To drink alcohol in licenced premises (e.g. a pub or restaurant)
If the police suspect someone under 18 has alcohol in a public place, they have the power to confiscate it. If young people get caught with alcohol three times they could face a social contract, a fine or arrest. Getting a criminal record could affect future job prospects and make it more difficult to travel to countries like the USA.
What are the effects of alcohol on the young brain?
Recent research suggests that these changes make the adolescent brain more vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol, with areas associated with memory and learning.
Watch the short film that explains how the brain changes enormously during adolescence (which is a key period of growth and development).
Support & Advice
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