Facts and Information
Alcohol and Sex
Because alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions it means that they could take more risks in their behaviour – this includes having sex when they otherwise might not.
It also means that they are less likely to use a condom when they do have sex.
Not using a condom when having sex could mean risking an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). More that 70% of young men and 74% of young women do not have sexual intercourse before the age of 16 years. However of those who do have sex,
- 40% of young people had not used contraception on at least one occasion because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(The Centre for Sexual Health Research, Young people's sex advice services; delays, triggers and contraceptive use, Brook Publications, 2000). - Young men and women are more likely to regret having sex where alcohol is a factor.
R Ingham, op cit, 2001 - Research has shown there is a link between alcohol and drug use and unsafe sex. 20% of young men and 13% of young women aged 15-19 cited alcohol as the main reason for first intercourse. The younger the woman the more likely it is that alcohol was involved.
R Ingham, Survey Commissioned by Channel Four for the series 'Generation Sex', 2001
If someone is drunk and can't look out for themselves properly, they are at risk of being taken advantage of sexually. Their ‘judgment of character’ can also be affected.
If they do decide to try and use a condom, being drunk means that they are more likely to mess up putting it on. Condoms can easily get weakened and torn by fingernails; fail to get unrolled properly and someone can forget to squeeze the air out of the teat first. All of these things can cause condoms to break, burst or slip off during sex and put a person’s sexual health at risk.
Also, they are less likely to make sure that the condom is put on at the right time – that is before there is any contact between the penis and vagina.
There are young-people-friendly sexual health services that are confidential in Rotheham …..
You can get free condoms, pregnancy testing or emergency contraception from ….
If you are worried about your sexual health or have had unprotected sex (without using a condom) you can visit …
If you are worried that you might be pregnant or have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) ----
Questions relating to the ‘Call it a Night’ dvd
- Do you think that Ryan and Leanne would have got together if they had not been drinking?
- Do you think that Ryan regrets going to the railway line with Leanne?
- Do you think that Leanne regrets going to the railway line with Ryan?
- Do you think that was the first time that Ryan had had sex?
- Do you think that was the first time that Leanne had had sex?
- Do you think that there are any risks for Leanne and Ryan? If so, what are they?
- Do you believe Ryan when he tells Leanne that he won’t tell anyone about this?
- Does Leanne believe Ryan when he promises not to tell anyone?
- Will they see each other again?
- What might the other young people think of Leanne after she and Ryan have got together?
- What might the other young people think of Ryan after he and Leanne have got together?
- Do you think that the majority of young people under the age of 16 are having sex?
- Do you think young people sometimes regret having sex too early?
- What might be the differences between how Ryan and Leanne feel about what happened?
- Just because Ryan and Leanne have had sex, does this mean they have to continue having sex?
a) with each other?
b) with other people?
