Wellbeing over Alcohol - Empowering young people to make confident choices

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to hold a session with the students at Falltricks Academy. I appreciate everyone engaging so well with the session and sharing their views and experiences.

During our session we discussed the students' associations with alcohol and the reasons why people drink.

We also considered the following statements and whether they are true or false. What do you think? I have listed the answers and an explanation later on this page.

True or False:

• Alcohol gives you confidence

• Alcohol helps you sleep

• Alcohol gives you anxiety

• You are more likely to get ill when drinking alcohol

Peer Pressure

We carried out roleplays, with one trying to pressure the other to drink. Here are some useful responses we came up with for if you don’t want to drink alcohol, but your peer group are encouraging you:

• I’m working on my fitness

• I like to be in control of my actions

• I’m prioritising my mental health

• I don’t need to drink for confidence, as I’m already fun

Support your wellbeing

We discussed other ways to have fun that don't include alcohol and came up with hobbies and ways to support your wellbeing. Here are some great ideas:

• Volunteering

• Running

• Journaling

• Yoga

• Cold water swimming

• Painting/colouring

• Reading

It is really important to me to spread alcohol awareness to teenagers because I believe having the right knowledge early on can help shape healthier, happy futures.

I want to help young people understand how their choices around alcohol can impact their wellbeing and mental health and empower them to make decisions that truly support who they want to be. By starting these conversations now, I hope to show that looking after yourself and making confident choices is far more powerful and fulfilling, than following pressure or habits that don’t serve you.

My takeaway message for people of all ages is that wellbeing and alcohol don’t mix. Your energy, sleep, and confidence all grow stronger when you look after yourself.

If you are new to sobriety or want to keep on track, I recommend you write one way you can boost your wellbeing this week without alcohol. Maybe it’s moving your body, connecting with someone, or resting properly. Those small choices build the biggest strength. It certainly helped me on my sober journey.

True or False Answers:

Alcohol gives you confidence – FALSE

Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, creating a false sense of confidence which can lead to you crossing your own boundaries.

Alcohol helps you sleep – FALSE

Alcohol ruins sleep, as when you fall asleep from alcohol you are basically sedating yourself. You will not have any REM (rapid eye movement) sleep which is required to feel well and for emotional regulation.

Alcohol gives you anxiety – TRUE

Alcohol raises the stress hormone cortisol, which creates anxiety when the alcohol starts wearing off. This is where the term ‘hangxiety’ comes from.

You are more likely to get ill when drinking alcohol – TRUE

Alcohol weakens your immune system leaving you more likely to get ill.

How many did you get correct? These answers give a convincing argument to put wellbeing over alcohol.