The 'big bang' approach to sessional drinking: Changing patterns of alcohol consumption amongst young people in North West England

The results of the second stage of an ongoing longitudinal survey of alcohol consumption amongst over 750 young people in the North West of England are reported. This paper dicusses three alcohol consumption variables in the first stage and four consumption variables in the second stage based on typical frequency of consumption, recent frequency of consumption, quantity consumed in last seven days and quantity consumed on last occasion. When the latter variable is used, in which quantity is isolated from frequency, the data from this study suggest changes are underway in relation to quantity of alcohol consumed, with increased heavy sessional drinking and changes in types of alcoholic drink preferred. At the age of 14 one in four drinkers reported consuming over ten units of alcohol on their last drinking occasion. At the age of 15 one in three drinkers reported drinking over ten units. The most popular alcoholic drinks with this age group were bottled strong cider and lager. The paper concludes by suggesting that the young people in this survey are consuming alcohol for a 'big bang', for maximum impact, in ways which show similarities with their consumption of illicit drugs, as part of a consumer leisure culture where 'time out' is purchased using a widening repertoire of psychoactive substances.