Partying and having fun is a normal part of being a teenager and is how we socialise with other adults and our friends.

This section will tell you about partying and having fun when you have an ABI. It can sometimes seem that all the adults want to stop you from having fun and that every time you try and do something your parents say no because they are worried about how it will affect your ABI.

The section on drugs and alcohol gave you some of the facts about taking drugs and drinking. Sometimes the facts can be hard to hear and it just feels like you are being lectured.

It’s quite common for teenagers to get carried away when they first start partying, especially when there is alcohol involved. Some people use alcohol and the excuse of being drunk to do all sorts of things they wouldn’t usually do. Alcohol can make them feel disinhibited.

You might be disinhibited because of your ABI anyway and that makes partying and drinking a bigger issue. People only worry because they want you to be safe and don’t want you to be in awkward position. Teenagers can do some pretty dangerous things and you don’t want to do anything to make your ABI worse.

Going to parties, discos, or raves may be hard for you anyway as you might not like being around so many people and the music can be very loud. This can be very stressful for you and you might want to stay away.

There are always other things you can do and if you have a few close friends you could perhaps do stuff with them that doesn’t involve loud music or drinking.  There are plenty of other things to do like going to the cinema or out for a meal.

You will find you make friends in rehabilitation and there will be things there that you like doing. Some rehabilitation centres organise leisure activities for you to do so you may find there is something fun to do that doesn’t involve alcohol. 

Staying safe

You will probably drink from time to time, whether your parents know about it or not. What you should think about though, is how you are going to look after yourself when you do. Click on Maya below for some questions you should ask yourself to stay safe when going out.  You need to think about how you will get home and what to do if you get ill.