When Lucy went out with her friends as a 16-year-old following her GCSE exams, she drank three bottles of "alcopops" (fruit-flavoured drinks containing a spirit such as vodka, 1.5 UK units each) at home, followed by a "large glass" of white wine (250 ml, around 3 units) – and a tequila 'slammer' (2 units). She was picked up by the police slumped on a verge, unconscious, and taken to A&E where she spent the night on a drip.
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1. What risks are there in Lucy's behaviour?
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Correct answer:
There are risks for Lucy in becoming unconscious as she may choke on vomit, have a respiratory arrest if her brain slows down, she may be vulnerable to sexual assault and, should she regain consciousness, she may be unsteady and at risk of injury.
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2. What might account for this behaviour?
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Correct answer:
There are many psychosocial factors that may account for why this young woman celebrates her exams in this way:
- Temperament and personality traits including the "sensation-seeking trait".
- Emotional and behavioural problems such as depression which cause her to use alcohol.
- Familial factors – family attitudes that favour the use of alcohol, particularly if her parents abuse it; or poor or inconsistent parenting.
- Peer-group members using alcohol is a strong predictor of alcohol misuse in young people.
- Price – the low price of alcohol means it is possible for a young person on limited income to drink excessively.
- Availability – alcohol regulation is lax and though sales are illegal to those under 18 years old, most alcohol is consumed in the home.
