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COMPLETED

Binge drinking amongst young people aged 18 – 25 in Caerphilly County Borough

Background

National studies report increasing alcohol consumption levels among young people. The surge in young people’s binge drinking has attracted much concern for policy-makers and practitioners working with young people.

Research in Caerphilly County Borough has found that binge drinking is more serious than in the wider UK. In response to this, the Caerphilly Local Substance Misuse Action Team and the Caerphilly County Borough Council funded TSA to undertake research. The research looked at young people’s motivations and beliefs about binge drinking, and has informed the development of effective solutions to this problem.

The Project

The project had 5 main aims:

* To review the literature and UK data sources on young people and binge drinking

* To identify why young people binge drink – their motivations for binge drinking

* To find out young people’s perceptions about the extent of the issue, and whether they see it as acceptable or problematic

* To ask young people what would stop or reduce their drinking (if anything)

* To find out if young people are aware of support available to help prevent binge drinking.

40 one-to-one interviews with 18-25 year old binge drinkers were carried out, as well as 5 focus group discussions with young people and professionals. Interesting findings included: young people’s beliefs that they are not binge drinking, lack of awareness of alcohol support services, and the importance of interventions that are relevant to young people. In response to this research, a Digital Storytelling intervention is being developed by Caerphilly County Borough aiming to reduce binge drinking and associated harms among young people.

Timetable

The project began in November 2005 and was completed in May 2006. Dr Lester Coleman was the Project Manager, and Suzanne Cater was the Research Officer. A final report is available (in English and Welsh).

More information:
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November 2006