Lots of people like having a drink when they are out because, it helps them relax and feel less inhibited, allowing them to enjoy the night. Whilst a few drinks won’t do much harm, the reality is that sometimes people drink too much. Having lots of alcohol makes you less able to think clearly, and can lead to you taking risks you wouldn't otherwise take, like having sex with out a condom.

After drinking alcohol,
• One in seven 16-to-24-year-olds have had unprotected sex.
• One in five have had sex that they regretted.
• 60 % of young women who are infected with a sexually transmitted infection say they were under the influence of alcohol when they had sex with the infected person.

Sometimes people drink so much that they can't remember whether they have had sex (even if they did want to) and, in some cases, people are unsure whether they consented to sex because they cannot remember. In really serious cases, people can get into unsafe situations and are sexually assaulted or raped.

It's against the law to have sex with a person who is incapacitated due to the use of alcohol. That can mean someone who is ‘completely out of it’ i.e. passed out or just too drunk to think clearly.

Tips for staying safe

Watch out for your friends - Don’t go to parties alone and ask your friends to keep an eye out for you if you’re drinking alcohol. Whether or not you are driving to where you are going, it's a good idea for one person that you trust to stay sober, so they can help everyone stay safe.

Watch your drinks - Don't leave your drink unattended and don't take drinks from people you don't know, as there is a chance they could be spiked. It's usually best to stick to drinks where you can see what you're drinking. You can't see what's gone into cocktails and you may end up drinking more alcohol than you bargained for.

Wait to make big decisions until you’re sober - If you are going out partying with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or you meet someone new, talk about what boundaries you feel comfortable with before you start drinking.

Plan how you will get home - If you drink too much, you're more likely to take risks with our safety. Walking home alone or accepting lifts from people you don't know increases your risk of sexual assault. Plan how you will get home at the beginning of the night. Have a taxi number stored in your phone and make sure you have credit and some money stashed away for the journey home. Always travel home with your friends and never take an unlicensed cab.

Know who to call if you need help - Every now and again, things will go wrong, and you need to know who you can call for help if you need it. It can be scary to call a parent or carer and admit you are drunk and need help, but even if they're angry they will want to make sure you are safe.

Be prepared – if you’re ready to have sex, sort out your contraception before you go out drinking and always carry a condom so you can take care of yourself.

Emergency action – if things don’t go according to plan and you have unprotected sex, you can get free emergency contraception from Brook or GP and some pharmacies in Milton Keynes. Emergency contraception is most effective in the first 24 hours after you’ve had unprotected sex, so it’s best to act quickly. Remember, if you have unprotected sex you will also need to get screened for STIs, even if you don’t have any symptoms, as some STIs like Chlamydia don’t always have symptoms.

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