Alcohol consumption among young people at parties: understanding and taking action

Are you planning your next night out via Tonight Pass? Between the excitement of the upcoming party and the pleasure of meeting up with friends, it's essential to be well-informed about the issues surrounding alcohol consumption among young people. While partying is an integral part of student and social life, understanding the risks and adopting the right reflexes can make all the difference between a memorable night and an experience you'd rather forget.

Young people toasting with beer bottles at a party

Alcohol occupies a special place in our party culture. Responsible for 41,000 deaths per year in France, alcohol remains a major public health concern, particularly among young people. However, recent data reveals encouraging trends: between 2002 and 2022, the proportion of 17-year-olds who had never drunk alcohol increased from 4.4% to 19.4%.

This evolution reflects growing awareness, but challenges remain numerous. 36.6% of 17-year-olds have still experienced heavy episodic drinking in the past month, highlighting the importance of continuing to raise awareness and inform on this subject.

Recent statistics paint a contrasting picture of alcohol consumption among young French people. On one hand, daily use among 17-year-old adolescents decreased by 31% between 2017 and 2022, and monthly use decreased by 14%. On the other hand, heavy episodic drinking (HED) remains concerning.

Key figures:

• 1 in 5 students experienced heavy episodic drinking in the past month
• 18-24 year-olds consume an average of 3.2 drinks per drinking day and have 64.3 drinking days per year
• Between 4 and 5 drinks during a party, between 90 and 110 days per year

At the European level, the French situation is part of a concerning general trend. 57% of 15-year-olds surveyed have already drunk at least once, and nearly 4 young people out of 10 (37%) indicated having consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. Even more alarming: 15% of 15-year-olds have been drunk in the past 30 days.

Among adolescents, alcohol remains a festive, group consumption. Parties represent privileged moments of socialization where peer pressure can play a determining role. Often, young people start drinking alcohol to fit in or to gain acceptance from their friends.

This group dynamic partly explains why younger people consume less often, but ingest larger volumes of alcoholic beverages than their elders. The festive context pushes towards concentrated consumption, creating an increased risk of heavy episodic drinking.

New generations adopt different consumption patterns from their elders. Where previous generations favored regular but moderate consumption, today's youth lean towards occasional but intensive consumption, particularly in party contexts.

The industry also adapts to these new habits by offering products and packaging developed to specifically target young people: premixes that blend alcohol with soda or fruit juices, flavored wines, wine cans, low-calorie alcoholic beverages.

The adolescent brain, due to its unfinished maturation process, is particularly vulnerable to psychoactive substances. This vulnerability extends well beyond adolescence: the brain continues to develop until around 23 or 24 years of age.

Immediate consequences specific to young people:

• Reflexes diminish much more than in adults, which increases accident risks
• Self-control diminishes more quickly and impulsive and aggressive behaviors appear more easily
• Blackouts are clearly more frequent

Party environments amplify certain dangers. Nearly 40 to 50% of sexual assault attempts occur in festive settings, in situations where both perpetrators and victims have been drinking. Short-term risks of alcohol abuse are also very important: alcohol poisoning, involvement in violence as victim and/or perpetrator, non-consensual sexual relations, or road accidents.

In France, the sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited. Despite the prohibition on selling alcohol to minors, more than half of 16-year-olds feel they have no difficulty obtaining alcohol, highlighting the enforcement challenges of this regulation.

For party organizers, the regulation is strict: it will be impossible to organize an open bar without exposing yourself to heavy sanctions (€7,500 fine and in case of repeat offense, 1 year in prison and €15,000 fine!).

Student associations and party organizers have specific legal obligations. You must complete the necessary administrative procedures to open a temporary liquor establishment. Additionally, you must notably provide breathalyzers so that everyone can test themselves in case of doubt.

Before the party:

• Eating before consuming alcohol helps slow its effects on the body
• Before starting to drink, it's important to know your limits and set a maximum number of drinks
• Plan your safe return home before even starting to drink

During the party:

• Alternate water and alcoholic beverages throughout the party
• Limit yourself to one drink from time to time during the evening
• Determine in advance a number of drinks not to exceed and encourage each other to respect this limit

The "C'est la base" campaign relies on 8 messages that emphasize mutual aid: "Keeping an eye on your friends at parties, that's basic" or "Taking your friends home if they've had too much to drink, that's basic".

If you feel that one of your friends is going too far in their consumption, that they're starting to have aggressive behavior or conversely falling asleep in a corner, stay close to them. This mutual vigilance can prevent dramatic situations.

For parents: Since alcohol initiation most frequently occurs in the family, often between ages 5 and 10, it's essential to pay particular attention to parents. The behaviors of parents and attachment figures are often imitated; showing responsible behavior towards alcohol is essential.

For organizers:

• Set up attractive alternatives to alcoholic beverages
• Provide breathalyzers so everyone can test themselves in case of doubt
• Organize secure transportation systems

The "C'est la base" campaign aims to raise awareness among young people and limit risks and damages related to heavy alcohol consumption. This peer-to-peer approach proves particularly effective because it relies on the codes and solidarity of the concerned generation.

The development of quality alcohol-free alternatives is gradually revolutionizing the party offer. Many bars and clubs now offer elaborate non-alcoholic cocktails, allowing full participation in the party atmosphere without the risks associated with alcohol.

The Alcool-Info-Service.fr platform offers an online tool to evaluate one's habits. These tools allow young people to self-assess their consumption and obtain personalized advice.

How many drinks can I have without risk? The benchmarks set in 2017 by Public Health France and the National Cancer Institute recommend maximum 10 standard drinks per week, maximum two drinks per day, with alcohol-free days during the week.

How to help a friend who has had too much to drink? When someone has drunk a lot, it's important to be present, give them water, not leave them alone. If they fall asleep, put them in the recovery position to prevent them from choking on vomit.

What to do if I feel my consumption is becoming problematic? Young Consumer Consultations (CJC) are mainly aimed at 12-25 year-olds. This is support to take stock of their alcohol consumption.

The positive trend: The proportion of 17-year-olds who had never drunk alcohol increased from 4.4% in 2002 to 19.4% in 2022, reflecting an evolution in mentalities.

Persistent challenges: 36.6% of 17-year-olds experienced heavy episodic drinking in the past month, emphasizing the importance of maintaining prevention efforts.

The importance of preparation: A successful party is prepared in advance, by setting limits, organizing return transport, and surrounding yourself with caring friends.

Solidarity as protection: "Keeping an eye on your friends at parties, that's basic" - this phrase perfectly summarizes the spirit of collective responsibility needed.

In case of emergency: 15 (SAMU) or 112 (European emergency number)

For information and help:

• Alcohol Info Service: 0 980 980 930 (non-premium call, 8am-2am, 7 days/7)
• Website: www.alcool-info-service.fr
• Young Consumer Consultations (CJC): available in CSAPA centers in your region

Mobile applications:

• Oz Ensemble: to evaluate and track consumption
• SAM: to organize safe returns from parties

Tonight Pass is committed to responsible outings. By booking your tickets through our platform, you help support events that promote safe partying. Because the best memories are those we keep in mind!