Myth busting: The top five booze fails

Christmas is just around the corner, which means party season is about to kick off, but what’s the deal with all the drinking?

There’s lots of information about alcohol out there which can get confusing. So let's set the record straight by busting some of the most common myths around booze.

Myth: Drinking makes you more confident and fun

Busted: Drinking can make you dance like your dad

Lots of people think that drinking looks fun and will make them feel confident. But there are two sides to it – drinking isn’t all laughs. Although we don’t always talk about it much, drinking can cause all kinds of problems. Although drinking alcohol can make you feel more confident, it can also make you do things you wish you hadn’t - things that can get caught on camera.

Myth: Don’t eat carbs after 7pm

Busted: Eat!

Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out, have a meal that includes carbohydrates like pasta/rice or fats. A decent meal helps to slow down the body’s absorption of alcohol.

Myth: A drink in the morning will cure a hangover

Busted: Avoid the hairy dog!

Hangover cures like the ‘hair of the dog’ (drinking more alcohol in the morning) are generally a myth. There are no cures for a hangover. There are only tips for avoiding hangovers and for easing the symptoms if you have one. If you have a big night out, try to drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks during the night and take a glass of water with you to bed and sip it through the night.

Myth: My friends won’t like me if I don’t drink with them

Busted: Friends respect your honesty

It is ok not to drink and you should never feel pressurised into doing something you don’t want to do. Remember your friends will respect you more for saying how you feel about drinking. Talking to your friends about the reasons you don’t want to drink can help the situation and you may not be the only one who feels this way. Try arranging to meet them to do other things that don’t involve drinking.

Myth: Everyone drinks alcohol

Busted: No, they don’t!

Fewer young people drink alcohol than you would think and remember, it is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket or online. There are lots of alcohol free alternatives available now so why not see what's out there to try.

Remember you can Talk to Frank for free and in confidence 24 hours a day on 0300 123 6600.