Alcohol care pathway

Background

Worldwide, 5% of all deaths of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are attributed to alcohol use. In the United Kingdom, consumption of alcohol beginning at some stage of adolescence is part of normal expected behaviour, however it is reported that there is a growing number drinking more then the recommended adult limits. Alcohol has been identified as a direct cause of school exclusion with 20% of school suspensions being for drinking alcohol at school. The annual report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health highlights a worrying trend of teenagers drinking large quantities of alcohol. The Chief Medical Officer also reports an increasing number of deaths from chronic liver disease in young people.

Young children's and adolescents' metabolism of alcohol and response to intoxication differs from those of adults. Young people more often exhibit hypoglycaemia. At higher blood levels, both children and adolescents can suffer from hyperthermia and respiratory depression, they are more likely to have seizures and suffer coma at lower blood levels then adults.

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