Alcohol abuse is a very serious issue in the UK, causing almost 40% of domestic violence incidents, being a reason behind 25% of school exclusions and featuring in almost a third of all UK divorce petitions. 13,000 violence-related incidents occur outside clubs and pubs every week and the main factor is (yep, you guessed it) alcohol abuse.

 So, why do people drink?

Despite all of the above facts ringing true, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't drink. When handled safely and responsibly, alcohol can help you relax in social situations (such as parties and dates) and give you the confidence to be yourself. Having a glass of wine or an ice-cold pint of lager after a day of work can also help you to relax and forget about that pile of reports you have to finish by Monday.

When can I drink?

The Licensing Act 2003 states that you must be 18 years old to purchase and consume alcohol. It is illegal to attempt to buy alcohol if you are underage and it is also an offense to sell it. It is against the law for somebody over 18 to buy alcohol for an underage person, with the only exception being that an adult can buy a 16/17 year old beer, wine or cider to accompany a meal in a restaurant.

But my friends are drinking already!

Do you know this or are you just going off stories they've told you? Bragging about alcohol intake at a young age often leads to porkies being told and truths being slightly exaggerated. It's highly unlikely that your mate Steve necked ten pints last weekend... unless he was then taken to A&E to get his stomach pumped, of course. If you are all under 18, it is illegal to be drinking already, even if your mum is the one who bought the booze in the first place. Using a fake ID is also against the law, rarely ever works and can result in your photo being passed around all of the pubs/clubs in town as a reminder of your true age.

How much should I drink?

Similarly to how your GDA helps you keep track of calories, alcohol consumption is measured in units. Typically, alcoholic beverages are measured as such:

• Half a pint of lager/cider - 1.5 units
• Small glass of wine (125ml) - 1.5 units
• Single measure of spirit (vodka, rum, gin or whisky) - 1 unit

On average, men are recommended to not exceed 3-4 units per day, whereas women are allowed only 2-3. In reality, this means that men should not have more than two pints of beer or three glasses of wine per day and women should not have more than a single pint or a couple of glasses of wine.

I'm a girl, why can't I drink as much?

The female body is only made up of 55% fluid compared to a male's 66% which means that alcohol is diluted more slowly when you drink. Because of this, women tend to become drunker faster than men, even if the same amount is consumed by both.

But I want to get bladdered!

Binge drinking (the act of drinking to get drunk) is extremely dangerous, especially for young people. Drinking excessively and heavily on the regular can take a huge toll on your body, especially your brain and liver, and cause other damaging long-term effects such as alcohol dependency and addiction. Excessive drinking at a young age is hazardous due to your body not being used to the toxins found in alcohol and you being unable to handle the unpredictability of being plastered.

But I enjoy it too much!

It's your decision, but just bear in mind the impact that regular binge drinking can have on you:

• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Addiction and dependency
• Bad skin
• Becoming a victim of crime through mugging or an attack
• Becoming a perpetrator of crime through fighting, public disorder or drink driving
• Liver problems, such as cirrhosis
• Saying/doing the wrong things
• Accidents, such as falling over or being hit by traffic

I don't have a problem! ...Do I?

If you find yourself drinking excessively regularly, missing important events (exams, work shifts, classes), hiding how much you drink from people, finding yourself in debt, becoming anxious about your next drink, getting into trouble because of alcohol or needing a drink to handle certain situations, you need to seek professional help.

Well, how do I do that?

Your GP can help you through addiction as well as recommending counsellors and support groups to help you combat your dependency. Counselling in particular can help you find out why you have such an obsessive relationship with alcohol in the first place. Going 'cold turkey' (not consuming any alcohol/other substances whatsoever) can be extremely difficult (remember the infamous baby scene from Trainspotting?) but with the help of advisors, family and friends, you'll be able to get back on your feet in no time!