Young people and alcohol: meanings, practices and contexts

The use of alcohol among young people – particularly those aged under 18 years, and those aged 18-24 who drink in excess – is an ongoing concern for policy-makers, health professionals and the public.

The report is accompanied by three literature reviews - risk and protective factors; alcohol reduction programmes; and the effectiveness of national policies.

This study summarises reported patterns of alcohol consumption among young people, factors associated with young people’s use of alcohol and emerging responses to such use. It then reports the key findings from the fieldwork and concludes with a series of potential implications regarding the reduction of alcohol use (and alcohol-related harms) among young people.

It is a qualitative study based on the responses of 82 young people age 11 to 19 in three deprived areas in England. Respondents were recruited through local youth services and alternatives to mainstream education, with a focus on engaging young people who used alcohol problematically.

More information about the study