Praise the Lord! The moment has arrived, the moment your whole secondary school experience has built to, the Leaving Cert is finally over. For most Leaving Cert students the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is the post Leaving Cert holidays abroad. With even the hint of a social life on hold for the past year, it's easy for students to lose the run of themselves and drink themselves into a comatose state. Alcohol Action Ireland is advising students to avoid a frenetic ‘first night – all-nighter' and to carefully plan any post leaving cert holidays abroad.
A review of recent incidents of accident and altercations highlights the first-night over-indulgence, especially when students are overly tried, dehydrated and in a strange environment, can end with a very significant personal cost.
Speaking about these trends, Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO Alcohol Action Ireland said:
Last year we recorded a number of incidences from young Irish people holidaying aboard, and most occurred on their first night in their destination.
Young people just need to take a small bit of time to think about their own safety and the consequences of their actions. They need to be sure they allow enough time to recover after the stress and strain of all the time and energy put into their exams before partying all night.
Alcohol consumption on a tired body and stressed mind is not a good combination, and young people need time to rest and recuperate before trying to negotiate risky situations that can lead to grave consequences.
We are also calling on the travel companies and their destination reps, who arrange such packages, to take steps to offer some advice and support to young students, many of who will be experiencing their first trip abroad.
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Make sure to have fun but also drink responsibly. Speaking from personal experience, there is nothing worse than getting blackout drunk the first day of your long anticipated holidays and have it put a damper on the rest of your trip.
