THEGAYUK

Tag: Alcohol

All the latest breaking news on the Alcohol. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Alcohol.

  • Are you about to fail Dry January? Here’s 11 things you won’t miss if you stay sober – and keep on track!

    Are you about to fail Dry January? Here’s 11 things you won’t miss if you stay sober – and keep on track!

    When I gave up drinking 5 and half years ago, I thought that life as I knew it would end, the parties, the laughter, the falling over in the ditch… but it hasn’t and in fact, I can still outstay my welcome, be the last to leave a party and fall over at any time as required. It wasn’t the booze after all. Here are the 11 things you won’t miss if you go sober.

    1) White wine guilt.

    You know the feeling when you wake up after a heavy night and you think back to the conversations you had the night before and then it hits you, you started calling everyone a c**t for no particular reason, except for, at the time, you were passionate about particular cause and it seemed like the only word that fully explained the cause – and then you realise that “everybody” included your boss, mother, local vicar and the street cleaner.

    2) Lengthy debates about shit that doesn’t matter

    I like to debate and I’ll happily argue a point, even if I don’t agree with the point that I’m debating. If the person opposite is a good sparring partner I’ll even argue that Trump is the planet’s saviour. Being sober, of course, I’ve realised that I don’t need to take the debate to its natural conclusion of a 5AM-we’ve-drunk-everything-let’s-start-on-the-Archers-cause-there’s-nothing-left, drunken dribbling train wreck. I can just leave it now.

    3) Saying too much.

    I was a bit of an over-sharer – I still am to a certain extent. And it surprises me how much people, especially in business will give away when they’re drinking. Secrets and inside info are traded away for another glass of Blossom Hill. Next time you’re out on a do with a client, just ask a few probing questions, they’ll open up about all sorts of stuff that ultimately, sober, they’d never tell and you know what, it all leads to point 1.

    4) Having spent the best part of a week’s wages on one tragic Saturday night.

    Dear god when I look back at how much money I spent buying rounds over the years, I could have bought a house, a yacht and a reasonably sized pony. Now a Diet Coke (£2) and I’m anyone’s (not really). What did spending all that money get me? Nowhere. And in the morning when I wake and I look into my wallet, I don’t feel point 1. Actually I wrote about how much money I saved here.

    5) Grey saggy skin.

    Honestly, I’ve not really aged. People always assume I’m still 10 years younger than I am… I’m happy about that. I don’t get Champagne face anymore. That look as though you’ve sat with your face against the side of a patio door all night.

    6) Repeating myself, repeating myself.

    Have you ever notice how dumb people who drink sound. First off we’d get irate about something and then we’d bulldoze our beef into any conversation and repeat, repeat and repeat until we pass out. We never listen to advice and we just keep on repeating…

    7) Night buses

    I take my smug (it’s a hybrid, so I feel less guilty about pollution) car everywhere – I never have to endure a chip stinky N91 night bus ever again. Sure I’m missing all the dramz, the light petting, the fights and alcohol breath from other passengers who are just far too close.

    8) Spending a fortune on cabs

    I no longer have to spend a mortgage on a cab to get back home. Are you hating me a little now, I would, I’m sounding really self-righteous.

    9) Piling on the pounds

    Before, when I was drinking, I just couldn’t seem to lose weight. Pounds just seem to be constantly piling on, no matter how much I ran, went to the gym or ate less cheese. I’ve lost over a stone and excitingly the weight hasn’t crept on again. When you consider a bottle of wine has 600+calories in it and you drink maybe 3-4 in a week – you’re looking at 1800-2400 extra calories a week – a full day’s worth of calories extra. Over a year that’s 93600 -124,800 extra calories that you’re probably not burning off.

    10) Apathy

    Come wine o’clock – which could be from 5:30 PM in our office, I just wouldn’t get anything else done. My mind would literally shut off after the first sip and then after a glass, I’d become something of a less evil Jabba the Hut crossed with an average British voter (completely apathetic). When you give up alcohol, you can say goodbye to no energy and goodbye to the excuse monster.

    11) Depression

    For me, the greatest thing about not drinking anymore is less anxiety and general depression. I couldn’t work it out. Every few days, I would get an uncontrollable bout of depression. Really deep and out of nowhere. It wasn’t until I released that it was always two days after a bender of a night that I realised my anxiety and depression was being brought on and exacerbated by alcohol. In the year that I’ve stopped, I have two, manageable down days – as opposed to two a week.

  • REVIEW| The Three Best Gins: It’s Gin O’Clock!

    REVIEW| The Three Best Gins: It’s Gin O’Clock!

    It’s official April is here, spring is here and yes that’s right so is British Summer Time!

    So now we get an extra hour of daylight each day, to indulge in all our spring debauchery. Now as much as we could be referring to what goes down on Hampstead Heath… We at THEGAYUK will try and keep our debauchery PG for now. Indeed we are talking about all the debauchery that goes down in beer gardens and parks across the nation. It’s time to swap the winter whiskey for a refreshing G&T and don’t worry if you don’t know your Hendrick’s from your Gordons, we’ve got your back. Here’s our Top 3 Gin Guide for Spring 2019, with tasting notes and all. You’ll be a gin pro in no time.

     

    1. Harahorn Norwegian Gin

    Yes, you did indeed read right, Scandinavians make gin! The first gin to be featured on the top list is our Norwegian entrant Harahorn gin. Named after the Harahorn mountain in Norway and depicting the ever daunting image of a hare with horns, this gin is definitely an all-around favourite. By far the smoothest gin in our list, Harahorn is definitely the one to go for if you’re new to the gin scene. It’s a simple but delightfully smooth gin, with a neutral palette. Pair with blueberries for a subtle berry infusion and a flower or two, you know for the aesthetic. After all, if it’s not on Insta did it even happen?

    Recommended For: Anyone new to gin, who want a safe first dip into the gin pool.

    Instagram @harahorngin

    2. Blue Bottle Dry Gin

    Second, on our list, is our Guernsey entrant Blue Bottle Dry Gin. Now, this gin is indeed something special and can safely be considered an artisanal masterpiece. The gin which is brewed in copper stills at the Three Fingers Distillery in Guernsey combines a mirage of botanicals to create a truly unique taste. This gin is definitely one for the seasoned gin lover. With their tagline “Look for beauty everywhere.”, it’s definitely a gin that you will keep you yearning for more. With new tastes and experiences awaiting you, at every sip.

    We recommend serving with a slice of grapefruit, to truly explore the subtle taste notes of this gin. Floral in nature, the juniper is enhanced by the bitterness of the grapefruit and the subtle undertone of vanilla comes through. The result, a truly unique tasting experience that will definitely have gin lovers hooked.

    Recommended For: The seasoned gin lover, who wants to experience something truly unique on the gin scene.

    Instagram @bluebottlegin

    3. Conker Spirit RNLI Navy Strength Gin

    Finally, the third and final entrant to our list is our English entry. Conker Spirit RNLI Navy Strength Gin hails from Dorset, England and is a gin that supports the life-saving work of the RNLI. The gin was created in partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and for every bottle sold, £5.00 is donated to the charity, to support their lifesaving work. So you can enjoy a cheeky G&T while doing good, definitely a brand we can get behind! The gin itself is smooth and by far the sweetest gin in our list.

    Similarly to the Blue Bottle Dry Gin, we’d recommend serving this one with grapefruit. The sharpness of the grapefruit will ground the sweetness of the drink. Creating a truly indulgent citrus palette for you to enjoy. Perfect on a sunny spring day in the park! If you also enjoy a neat whiskey in winter, try this beauty with a squeeze of grapefruit juice on the rocks. Rare we like neat gin but this one is an exception to the norm.

    Recommended For: Those with a sweet tooth, who enjoy a sweet citrus kick.

     Instagram @conkerspirit

    So there we have it. You are now indeed prepared to enjoy that extra hour of spring sunshine and hit the bar/park to enjoy a freshly made G&T. Let us know your thoughts below if you get the chance to try one of our favourites above or if you think we missed any from the list. Enjoy the sun and experimenting with your new favourite gins!

    Photography: Georgia Faid @georgiafaid

    Edited by: Daniel Dvir @danieldvirhere

  • You need these tips if you’re planning a boozy Christmas

    “I have never gone to bed with an ugly man, though I often woke up with one next to me.” This is the problem with having your ‘beer goggles’ on.

    At this time of year, it is essential to know your limits and understand how alcohol affects the body and mind. After a lifetime as a lush, I have a few tips.

    First don’t get drunk and then you won’t wake up next to ‘Ugly bugly.’ Christmas may be a time of charity, but you don’t have to give your body away in an alcoholic stupor.

    When drinking alcohol:

    1. Know the abv (alcohol by volume) of what you are drinking, to know what constitutes one unit or ask the bartender, they should know.
    2. Each unit of alcohol takes 20 to 30 minutes to have an effect. (If you have four shots quickly the full effect is not going to hit you for up to 2 hours)
    3. Pace yourself. Try to drink in line with the time each unit takes to get into your bloodstream and affect you. (This way you get to maintain being at an enjoyable level and stay in control)
    4. Drink water. Try to drink ½ pint of water with every unit of alcohol. (This aids the prevention of dehydration, and helps to stave off a hangover in the morning)
    5. Carbonated drinks such as Champagne get into the bloodstream quicker, as does alcohol with diet mixers.
    6. Sugary mixers slow down the rate of absorption of alcohol.

     

    Sobering up

    It takes the body approximately one hour to process each unit of alcohol after the first two hours from the start of consumption. If you go out drinking and have 8 pints at two units of alcohol each starting at 8 pm, this is the process:

    8 pints x 2 units each = 16 units

    No alcohol processed in first 2 hours. Drinking start time 8 pm

    Processing start time 10 pm at a rate of 1 unit per hour

    Sober 16 hours later at 2 pm the afternoon of the next day.

    This is only a guideline as the rate of alcohol processing by the body is dependent on many factors and so not the same for everyone. For instance, eating a large meal will slow down the processing time of alcohol.

    (2 units per pint is a weak beer. Strong and super lagers have more units per pint)

    Hangover hints

    It will go away on its own over time. Manage symptoms and feel better sooner by:

    1. Get some fresh air and be in a well-ventilated room. No one wants to smell your beer breathe, least of all you.
    2. Drink plenty of water.
    3. If you feel sick, reduce the body temperature by being in a cold room or turning down the heating.
    4. My personal hangover cure – Tinned plum tomatoes on burnt toast. (My rationale is that tomatoes are moist so can be consumed even when you are not producing a lot of saliva. They also contain vitamin C and sugar without the high acidity of orange juice. I have always thought the carbon of the burnt toast will help to keep the food down by absorbing bile and stomach acid.) It works for me; normally within 20 to 30 minutes, I can start to feel recovery kicking in.
    5. Again just purely personal – I believe if I have poisoned my body by getting drunk, painkillers are not the answer, they just add to the work the kidneys have to do so I avoid them

    If alcohol were a prescription medicine, the bottle would read ‘Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medication’ In the list of common side effects such things as:

    1. May cause slurred speech
    2. May have an adverse effect on body coordination
    3. May affect balance
    4. Can cause loss of and damage to short-term memory
    5. May adversely affect control of bladder and bowel
    6. May cause the patient to be susceptible to suggestion
    7. Can cause disinhibited behaviour of poor moral choice
    8. Can induce some patients to have violent episodes

    I would have to be seriously ill to consider taking a medication that had such potential for harm, and yet we dress up, go out and pay for it and worse still we receive and buy it for our friends too.

    These days I am old, ugly and fat. Have a Merry Christmas and follow my guidelines, and you should be able to avoid waking up next to me boys. Remember I am out there looking for a good time.

     

  • After a couple of drinks straight men could be open to some gayness

    An interesting study has seemingly confirmed what a few in the gay community have already assumed – that a few drinks can really change the way that some straight-identified men view gay sex.

    Data published in the Journal Of Social Psychology has found that some straight-identified men who consumed a number of alcoholic drinks during an evening found men more attractive the more they drank.

    83 heterosexual in the Midwestern USA were questioned about their sexual willingness with same or opposite partners as they drank through an evening. In the survey alcohol intake, partner attractiveness, and sexual willingness were measured. They were shown a 40-second clip of either a man or woman and were asked if they would be willing to try out certain intimate or sexual acts with the person they were shown. Activities ranged from buying drinks to sexual acts.

    The men were always more likely to show more sexual interest to women, but the more alcohol they consumed, they became more attracted to men.

    The survey found that after 10 drinks the men showed that they were as interested in the men as the women.

    So there you have it. Maybe male sexuality isn’t as fixed as some have suggested.

     

     

  • I saved at least £12,000 on alcohol by giving it up

    I saved at least £12,000 on alcohol by giving it up

    I recently celebrated my third Christmas and New Year’s Eve without alcohol and it got me thinking about the money I’ve saved since giving up drinking alcohol.

    I didn’t give up drinking because of money but it certainly hasn’t hurt my bank balance after I discovered that I’ve saved over £12,000 since giving up the alcohol.

    I became a non-drinker in the summer of 2014 after a working out that alcohol was doing nothing for my mental health. After suffering a series of extraordinary panic attackers, leading me to some of the darkest moments of my life, I wondered if drinking had anything to do with it. It turns out that it did.

    Over two years later, my anxiety is manageable and rarely keeps me up at night. It’s the biggest gift I’ve ever given to myself.

    So apart from the biggest gift, what else has no alcohol given me?

    Well, I’ve not spent over £12,000 on alcohol. So how did I come to this staggering number?

    Here’s how: I eat out probably twice a week, and have a glass or two of wine – let’s say £6 per glass (they were always large) that’s £12 per meal twice a week – that’s £24, also ready I’m £1,248 better off.

    Then there was the at home drinking, yep, I think I could easily sink 5 bottles of wine a week. So let’s get those priced up at £6 per bottle that’s £30 per week – that’s £1,560 per year and I’m already at £2,888 per year. That’s not considering birthdays, Christmases, New years and holidays where much more would be consumed.

    So where the rest of the money?

    How much do you spend on a night out? If I went out one night a week (who goes out just once!) there’s no doubt that I’d spend at least £70 on drinks in an evening (London prices). So let’s add that up… that’s a whopping £3640 per year… and don’t forget the cabs homes, at least £360 per year and the dirty kebab, which I’d probably have 20 times a year – £130. This element of my evening just no longer exists. I drive instead of public transport and cabs and because I’m not drunk I don’t crave the dirty kebab.

    Now not spending at least £6448 per year on alcohol. So what am I drinking instead, well some soft drinks when I’m out, which cost a third of the price and I don’t drink nearly many of those as I did glasses of wine, you actually can’t.

    So what am I drinking instead? Well some soft drinks when I’m out, which cost a third of the price and I don’t drink nearly many of those as I did glasses of wine, you actually can’t.

    At home, I drink water – with a squeeze of lemon. The cost of which is pennies per week.

    Then: Glasses of wine with meal £6 x 4 = £24 x 52 weeks = £1248
    Now: £1.50 x 4 x 52 = £312
    Then: Bottles of wine a week £6 x 5 = £30 x 52 weeks = £1560
    Now: Basically free, unless I have soft drinks which never exceeds £10 per week. Let’s say £520 per year.
    Then: Drinks on a night out £70 x 52 = £3640
    Now: £20 x 52 =£1040
    Then: Cabs from a night out: £30 x 12 (at least) = £360
    Now: Nothing
    Then: Dirty Kebabs: £5 x 26 = £130
    Now: Nothing
    Total: £6938 per year take away the differences: £5,066
    Over 28 months that’s £11,820.

    How did I give up? Well, I owe it to this book: Allen Carr’s No More Hangovers, which took me a morning to read. The best £4.99 I’ve ever spent.

  • 11 Things You Won’t Miss By Quitting Booze

    11 Things You Won’t Miss By Quitting Booze

    I drive a Prius, I’m a vegetarian and I voted Liberal. I am your worst smug nightmare. I thought that life as I knew it would end, the parties, the laughter the falling over in the ditch… but it hasn’t and in fact, I can still outstay my welcome, be the last to leave a party and fall over at any time as required. It wasn’t the booze after all. Here are the 11 things you won’t miss if you go sober.

    1) White wine guilt.

    You know the feeling when you wake up after a heavy night and you think back to the conversations you had the night before and then it hits you, you started calling everyone a c**t for no particular reason, except for, at the time, you were passionate about particular cause and it seemed like the only word that fully explained the cause – and then you realise that “everybody” included your boss, mother, local vicar and the street cleaner.

    2) Lengthy debates about shit that doesn’t matter

    I like to debate and I’ll happily argue a point, even if I don’t agree with the point that I’m debating. If the person opposite is a good sparring partner I’ll even argue that Trump is the planet’s saviour. Being sober, of course, I’ve realised that I don’t need to take the debate to its natural conclusion of a 5AM-we’ve-drunk-everything-let’s-start-on-the-Archers-cause-there’s-nothing-left, drunken dribbling train wreck. I can just leave it now.

    3) Saying too much.

    I was a bit of an over-sharer – I still am to a certain extent. And it surprises me how much people, especially in business will give away when they’re drinking. Secrets and inside info are traded away for another glass of Blossom Hill. Next time you’re out on a do with a client, just ask a few probing questions, they’ll open up about all sorts of stuff that ultimately, sober, they’d never tell and you know what, it all leads to point 1.

    4) Having spent the best part of a week’s wages on one tragic Saturday night.

    Dear god when I look back at how much money I spent buying rounds over the years, I could have bought a house, a yacht and a reasonably sized pony. Now a Diet Coke (£2) and I’m anyone’s (not really). What did spending all that money get me? Nowhere. And in the morning when I wake and I look into my wallet, I don’t feel point 1.

    5) Grey saggy skin.

    Honestly, I’ve not aged. People always assume I’m still in my twenties and I’m happy about that. I don’t get Champagne face anymore. That look as though you’ve stood with your face too close to a Corby Trouser Press for too long.

    6) Repeating myself, repeating myself.

    Have you ever notice how dumb people who drink sound. First off we’d get irate about something and then we’d bulldoze our beef into any conversation and repeat, repeat and repeat until we pass out. We never listen to advice and we just keep on repeating…

    7) Night buses

    I take my smug car everywhere – I never have to endure a chip stinky N91 night bus ever again. Sure I’m missing all the dramz, the light petting and Camden, but I can get all of that on LBC on the wireless.

    8) Spending a fortune on cabs

    I no longer have to spend a mortgage on a cab getting back to wilds of north London. Are you hating me a little now, I would I’m sounding really self-righteous.

    9) Piling on the pounds

    Before, when I was drinking, I just couldn’t seem to lose weight. Pounds just seem to be constantly piling on, no matter how much I ran, went to the gym or ate less cheese. I’ve lost over a stone and excitingly the weight hasn’t crept on again. When you consider a bottle of wine has 600+calories in it and you drink maybe 3-4 in a week – you’re looking at 1800-2400 extra calories a week – a full day’s worth of calories extra. Over a year that’s 93600 -124,800 extra calories that you’re probably not burning off.

    10) Apathy

    Come wine o’clock – which could be from 5:30 PM in our office, I just wouldn’t get anything else done. My mind would literally shut off after the first sip and then after a glass, I’d become something of a less evil Jabba the hut crossed with an average British voter (completely apathetic). Goodbye, no energy and goodbye to the excuse monster.

    11) Depression

    For me, the greatest thing about not drinking anymore is less anxiety and general depression. I couldn’t work it out. Every few days, I would get an uncontrollable bout of depression. Really deep and out of nowhere. It wasn’t until I released that it was always 2 days after a bender of a night that I realised my anxiety and depression was being brought on and exacerbated by alcohol. In the year that I’ve stopped, I have two, manageable down days – as opposed to two a week.

     

  • Dear god. Wine Is Now Available For Men In A Can

    The end is nigh. We’re telling you this. Why? Because someone has created wine in a can.

    (more…)

  • HOME | Spring Drinking, Sweet Sips For Spring

    Ahh.. the sweet smell of Spring… and it’s coming from my cup. Gone are the evenings of the mulled wines and ciders, the hot toddy’s, and as much as we want it to be, Summer isn’t here and it doesn’t seem quite right to be shoving umbrella’s in fruity long drink things with sugared rims…yet. Here are some sips for Spring that I feel match the season perfectly

    It’s also worth mentioning that where reviewed on Amazon these products have scored highly in the 5 star range, as well as the nod from us…

     

    The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur

    The rise of the hive. Bees are extremely popular at the moment. Symbolically a honey bee represents immortality and resurrection, but the benefits of the bee continue to make health news more recently with people taking bee pollen and propolis as health supplements.

    However, A slightly more fun approach on bee product trends comes in the form of The Wild Geese Irish Honey Liqueur. A premium smooth whiskey that is blended with 100% pure natural honey.

    It really is a smoothy this one and I love the honey element adding a touch of sweetness to a drink that would normally make my face screw up rather unattractively.

     

    £25.99 70cl bottle, TheDrinkShop.com

    Licor43

    Spain’s number 1 selling liqueur. And after tasting this, I now know why. A special blend of 43 ingredients, hence it’s name. For me it is similar to Tuaca (a favourite amongst us Brightonians reading this). However, I would now favour Licor43 as there is no after-burn and the main flavour note is vanilla without it being overly sickly sweet.

     

    This is perfect chilled, sipped slow, taken as a shot or why not try adding to Prosecco to create the L43 Royal, perfect for a Spring soiree :

    Ingredients

    • 25ml Licor 43
    • 1tsp rindless marmalade
    • Dash of prosecco

     

    Method

    Mix the Licor 43 and marmalade in the bottom of a champagne flute, top with prosecco and stir.

    Licor 43 is available in selected Asda stores nationwide and from www.drinksupermarket.com with a RRP of £17.50 – £17.99.

  • Today Dubbed Booze Friday As Millions Set To Drink To Excess

    Today (19 December 2014) is dubbed ‘the black Friday of booze’, as the Christmas party season reaches its peak with an influx of revellers in pubs, bars and restaurants creating high demand across the emergency services. However, a spike in sign-ups to Dry January is also predicted, as people start to think about giving their bodies a break in the New Year.

    This comes as new figures show that:

    * last year, Friday 20 December 2013 saw sales of alcohol in pubs, bars and restaurants rise by 114% compared to an average Friday

    * £3.7 billion was spent on alcohol last December, with total sales of alcohol rising by more than a quarter (28%) from November to December

    * sales of sparkling wine and liqueurs jumped by 88% and 54% respectively

    Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said:

    “In the run up to Christmas many people start drinking more than usual as they celebrate the festive season with parties and get-togethers.

    “This is the perfect time to sign up to a holiday from alcohol. Dry January is not about never drinking again. It’s just an opportunity for people to reflect on their drinking patterns and to give their body a break from alcohol after the festive period. We know from previous years that people who do Dry January will feel better, lose weight and save money.

    This data is supported by a number of people who have been keeping a record of their drinking for the past month, with many noting that their alcohol consumption in December had increased considerably from the previous month.

    Charlotte Gowing, aged 38 from London, said:

    “I don’t really see myself as a big drinker but I was quite shocked to see just how much more I drink in the run up to Christmas. Drinks on nights out with work and friends, as well as a few when I’m at home, all start to add up.

    “I am definitely going to give my body a bit of TLC after New Year’s Eve and Dry January will be a good place to start.

    Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, says:

    “Over 17,000 people took part in Dry January in 2014 and many reported that taking a month-long break from alcohol acted as a reset button concerning their alcohol use for months afterwards, not only helping people to drink less per drinking day but also to drink less frequently.

    “As with any commitment to a healthier lifestyle change, people need some time to prepare themselves in advance so that they are in the best position possible to successfully achieve their goal. People who sign up to Dry January will receive the tips, ideas and encouragement to stay motivated and make the most of their month off alcohol”

    To sign up for Alcohol Concern’s Dry January and register for tips and tools to make the most of the month, please visit the Dry January website.

  • Study Reveals Why Gay Teens Binge Drink

    Stressful experiences, such as victimisation and homophobia, associated with heavy episodic drinking.

    Higher rates of binge drinking by lesbian and gay adolescents compared to their heterosexual peers may be due to chronic stress caused by difficult social situations, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

    Research has shown that lesbian and gay people experience higher rates of physical and mental health problems. One explanation for these disparities is minority stress. According to this theory, chronic stress due to discrimination, rejection, harassment, concealment of sexual orientation, internalized homophobia (negative attitudes toward homosexuality) and other negative experiences leads to poor health.

    The authors of this study sought to determine if minority stress theory could explain why gay and lesbian adolescents engage in binge drinking more than heterosexual youths. To do this, they analysed responses from 1,232 youths ages 12-18 years who took part in an online survey conducted by OutProud: The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. Sixteen percent of youths identified themselves as lesbian females and 84 percent as gay males.

    The survey asked questions about sexual minority experiences and included more than 260 variables. It represents the only known research to explore the relationship between binge drinking and a variety of minority stress experiences, such as homophobia and gay-related victimisation, in a large national sample of lesbian and gay adolescents.

    ‘Although other studies of adolescents commonly report on sexuality or sexual identity, these general population studies do not typically assess nuanced experiences of stress among sexual minority adolescents,’ said lead author Sheree M. Schrager, PhD, MS, director of research in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

    Consistent with minority stress theory, participants reported greater psychological distress when they experienced violence or victimization, if they had internalised homophobia, and if they had made their sexual orientation known.

    INTERNALISE HOMOPHOBIA
    Internalised homophobia was a significant predictor of binge drinking, while experiencing violence or victimization was marginally associated with drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Those living with their parents were less likely to report binge drinking.

    Feeling connected to the gay community was both positively and negatively associated with binge drinking. Those who felt connected were more likely to report binge drinking. However, community connectedness protected against internalized homophobia, thereby indirectly protecting against heavy episodic drinking.

    ‘Given that interventions are more effective when they are developed to match the cultural experiences of participants, theoretically grounded studies like this one can potentially lead to tailored treatment approaches based on the unique experiences of lesbian and gay adolescents,’ Dr. Schrager said.

    Dr. Schrager will present “The Application of Minority Stress Theory to Binge Drinking Among Lesbian and Gay Adolescents” from 3:45-4 p.m. Saturday, May 3. To view the study abstract, go to http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS14L1_1675.5&terms=.

  • INTERVIEW | English Gay Youth Twice As Likely To Smoke and Drink

    With the news today published by BMJ that gay youth in England are twice as likely to smoke and drink more hazardously than their heterosexual peers we speak with one of the authors of the study by UCL, Dr. Joanna Semlyen.

    TGUK: Why in your opinion LGBs are more likely to smoke firstly – and secondly, perhaps more worryingly more likely to drink and to hazardous levels?

    DJS: There are several reasons why LGB young people may be more likely to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol hazardously and we do not, as yet, due to lack of research, have definitive evidence as to what the reasons are, however, we suspect that the impact of homophobia and heterosexism within society, in addition to the possible experience of homophobic bullying whilst at school, may lead to what we call ‘minority stress’ or in increased low self esteem which young people then perhaps seek to alleviate with smoking and/or alcohol. We also know that LGB people tend to socialise in the places where they can be with each other, which is almost always places where alcohol and cigarettes are freely available, like bars and clubs.

    This situation may be being exacerbated by a growing concern that LGB people are targeted, for example, by the tobacco industry. There may also be other reasons we do not know and a large longitudinal study (with a heterosexual control group and repeated follow-ups) might allow us to study the antecedents of smoking and drinking in young LGB people.

    TGUK: Do you think this might be linked with the fact that LGBTs are more likely to suffer from mental health issues?

    DS: Because no data on transgender identity was collected in this study, I can only comment on LGB participants in this study. I think that the experience of homophobia and heterosexism should not be underestimated and, along with the stress of coming out (often repeatedly throughout one’s life), may well account for why we see greater incidence of mental health issues in LGB people. The problem is, we don’t have any data yet on the causes of smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking in LGB young people, followed repeatedly over time.

    TGUK: Do you think the government or the health service is doing enough to interface with young LGBTs?

    DS: As a researcher and LGBT Health Psychologist, I would like to see the routine collection of sexual orientation data within population based health and well-being studies and as part of the NHS’ own routine identity data collection.

    This would allow us to accurately determine the health inequalities being experienced by this group and, by virtue of being included, would go a long way to indicate to LGBT people that their health is being considered. LGB people want to be counted in surveys. Indeed we noted the question in this study had a very low refusal rate.