Alcohol changes the way you act, and affects your decision making. The more you drink, the less careful you are. This can have serious consequences when it comes to sex and your personal safety.
What’s the big fuss?
Alcohol is easily available and lots of people drink it. People like it because it makes them feel relaxed, giggly, confident or more sexy.
But alcohol can also make you dizzy, confused, aggressive or violent, and it can make you slur your words and vomit.
What’s that got to do with sex?
Alcohol can affect your judgement. You might become more easy to influence when it comes to sex. You can make rash decisions, such as having unprotected sex, which can lead to unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia.
Having sex, particularly when it’s your first time, is an important decision that needs to be made while you’re in control and thinking clearly.
Do sex and alcohol mix?
The short answer is no. It might calm your nerves, but it doesn't make sex easier or better, particularly if it's your first time. Being drunk can make you feel confused or unwell, which can make the experience very unpleasant.
If you’re drunk, you might not even remember having sex. And you're more likely to regret it, especially if it’s your first time.
Is sex safe when you’ve been drinking?
Alcohol stops you making sensible decisions, such as always using a condom, which is the only way to protect yourself from unintended pregnancy and STIs. Not using a condom puts you at a greater risk of both.
If you’re drunk, you’re less likely to be thinking clearly enough to talk to your partner about using condoms, or to use those condoms properly.
If you or your partner take the contraceptive pill and alcohol makes you sick, the pill is less likely to work, and there's a real risk of pregnancy.
Sexual assault
Being drunk also makes you vulnerable to sexual assault. This can happen to anyone, whether they’re male, female, gay, straight or bisexual. If someone tries to have sex with you against your will, you always have the right to say ‘no’ whether you’re drunk or not.
Find out where to get help if you've been sexually assaulted.
Tips for staying safe
If you’re planning to drink alcohol, follow these tips to keep safe:
- Stick with friends. Don’t go to parties alone, and ask your friends to watch out for you if you’re drinking alcohol. You can watch out for them too if they’re drinking.
- Always travel home with your friends, and never take an unlicensed cab. Keep the telephone number of a licensed taxi firm with you. Don’t drive if you've been drinking.
- Never leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from people you don’t know, in case someone puts drugs in them.
- Make decisions when you’re sober. Before you start drinking, talk to your boyfriend or girlfriend about your boundaries (what you do and don’t want to do), so that you don’t get carried away and regret it later.
- Be prepared. If you’re ready to have sex, sort out your contraception before you go out drinking, and always carry a condom. Find out more about all the methods of contraception and where you can get them.
Emergency action
If things don’t go according to plan and you have unprotected sex, you can lower your chances of having an unintended pregnancy by getting emergency contraception from your local clinic or GP.
The emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the 'morning-after' pill) can be used up to 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex, but it's more effective the sooner it’s taken. A doctor or nurse can help you to get tested for STIs.
If you or someone you know is having problems due to alcohol or drug use, you can get help. Visit Frank for help and advice, or call 0800 776600.
You don't have to drink or have sex if you don’t want to. If you think you're ready, make sure you’ve got condoms with you rather than relying on your partner to have them. It’s up to both of you to be prepared.
