Ireland and Irish people are often linked with friendliness, fun and alcohol. But what happens for those who don’t fit in with this expectation, for those who don’t drink. You can’t argue that Ireland is the only place where there is an expectation on young people to engage in drinking or rather binge-drinking. I think the drinking stereotype raises the pressure on young people who feel the need to live up to this. On a Friday or Saturday night, in a club or a bar, if your coke isn’t mixed with Bacardi or your Sprite not dashed with Smirnoff, it’s easy to often feel ‘on the outside.’
The effects of drinking
With mental health increasingly being talked about in society, and the discussions becoming more honest, and open, you might think the link between alcohol, the pressures of it, and young people’s mental could not be more obvious There is no shortage of reports on the effects alcohol can have on your body the following day. It’s no secret that alcohol has many negative effects on you physically. There’s nothing worse than the dull throbbing of a headache, and the feeling of nausea with every movement you make. The next day hangover can have an impact in work, school or college, which can also contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety at the failure to rise to your own expectations. However, we talk less about the effects alcohol can have on your mental state. Trying to balance responsibilities as an adult can be difficult enough without facing the consequences after a night of heavy drinking.
Source: Sandra Black, SpunOut, 22nd November 2019
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