Alcohol blamed for sexual risk-taking
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It has been revealed that young binge drinkers blame alcohol for having sex without a condom and sleeping with partners they do not find attractive.
A survey for the Family Planning Association (FPA) found that 37 per cent of young people aged 18 to 30 who had experience of sex and alcohol had intercourse with a new partner without a condom. Of this group, 40 per cent said alcohol contributed either a 'great deal' or a 'fair amount' to what happened.
One in eight (13 per cent) of these said that on at least one occasion they or the person they had sex with became pregnant, while another 7 per cent had contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
More than a quarter (28 per cent) of people surveyed had sex with someone they normally would not find attractive, with 73 per cent of them blaming alcohol.
Julie Bentley, chief executive of the FPA, said: 'People don't go out to take risks, they go out to have a good time.
'Drunken sex is often risky sex. Don't let one night of fun end in regret.'
She added: 'People may start with the best intentions, but drinking alcohol reduces the chances of using a condom with someone new and impairs sexual decision making.
'The fact that some people in our research experienced an unplanned pregnancy or an STI as a result of sex under the influence of alcohol is extremely worrying.
'However, it's likely there are more people who simply won't ever know if the sex resulted in a pregnancy, STI or not as they never see that person again.'
© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
