Surviving Summer Safely

What an exciting time for all the youth in the UK right now, Covid-19 or not, they will all want to party! I can remember being in school like it was yesterday and wanting to have a sneaky, and somewhat, ‘cheeky’ bottle of Bacardi Breezer at the end of Year 11. It was super exciting to be a semi-adult, at 16 years of age!

Now I am not for one moment advocating under-age drinking, dear reader, I am simply realistic to the fact that it happened in my ‘youth’ and it still does in today’s youth filled society. When I reached the end of my college years the sheer anticipation for the summer party months to come, far surpassed the feelings I had in the lead up to any Christmas day presents. All of my friends had turned 18 and we were finally able to party, legally, with our parents’ consent. The fun we had in the Summer of 1997 was truly immense and highly ‘unforgettable’. With age and experience comes wisdom dear reader. We all know that the children and younger persons in our lives will wish to experiment. Like we once did, they will wish to push the boundaries, to party ‘hard’, and to try and keep it from us adults. We have all been like this, I am sure of it, at one time or another in our youth.

Whatever the age of your child or of the young person you care for, who may be drinking, you will want them to be safe at all times. I remember my reckless youth, and most of you reading this will be able to identify and relate, but sadly times have changed. When I was younger, it was safe on the streets of London to be out and about until ten o’clock at night. This is not the case, in the here and now of 2020. My brother still lives in the East End and he is the first to admit that he would never let my niece, his 16-year-old daughter, be out by herself to go to the corner shop at night. He and I used to be out playing in the park, a twenty-minute walk away from our home, gone until 10 pm at night! We were both a lot younger than my niece too when we were allowed to do this.

Oh, how the times have changed, but the need to be young and free has not. So dear reader what can you do to protect your child and, at the same time, let them party as we once did?!?

Well, personally I would show them my three top ‘Snooki Safety’ tips for a safe and memorable night out. Written by an ‘old timer’, like myself, who has years of hardcore partying under her belt and renowned for getting her friends’ home safe and sound.

1. Always plan ahead

Some top tips when it comes to getting home safely at the end of a fun-filled night would be to:

Pre-arrange, or be the designated driver (DD)  – You or your friends can take it in turns from week to week. It goes without saying that the DD is completely sober, and not had a drink all night.

If you cannot arrange a DD, enlist a trusted ‘back-up’ adult who can pick you up at any time, no questions asked, should you need it.

Take extra money with you and put it aside in your wallet/purse – If for any reason both your DD and ‘back up driver bail, or cannot help you, you have money to get a taxi/Uber home.

2. Make a Plan B

To ensure the safety of yourself and the well-being of others, always have a Plan B to get you home, as stated above. Especially if you and your friends are planning a big night out.

3. Getting back to zero

Following on from your big night out, your body needs time to get alcohol out of your system. Unfortunately, a large black coffee, a cold shower, or a big meal will not reduce your blood alcohol content. You may still be over the limit for much of the following day and cautious will be needed. If you had a lot to drink, the night before, driving should be avoided at all costs.

I would highly recommend that you do not get into the car with someone who is under the influence. I know that in such a situation many of my young clients have succumbed to such peer pressure. But dear reader, it really isn’t worth the potential consequences of choosing such an action. It is difficult to know, in the heat of the moment, what will be the right thing to do when you have been socially drinking and not in ‘full’ control of self. In this situation, I would suggest that the best course of action would be to decline the lift and to call and ask someone else to help keep you safe. You may not wish to call a sibling or a family member. You may even choose to call the pastor of your church, as a last ‘safe’ resort. Whoever that ‘safe’ person is, will be the right decision, as opposed to getting into a car with a driver who is under the influence of either alcohol, drugs, or both.

Never feel alone in any of this dear reader. If you or your adolescent needs further help, not to get home safely but because of excess drinking habits, then help is at hand! You can contact:

‘Drink line’ Helpline: 0300 123 1110 – who offer advice and information for anyone worried about their own drinking, and to support those loved ones of people who are drinking.

‘Drink aware” https://www.drinkaware.co.uk Where you can learn about the effects of alcohol on your life and lifestyle. They will help guide you to make informed decisions and to learn what is ‘binge drinking’ and where to go for help.

‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ National Helpline: 0800 9177 650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Have a blessed week!

Love and light,

Lynne x

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