On Monday 11^th November the whole school heard a talk on binge drinking from Helen McIlreavy.

The honesty and bravery of Helen’s story; of 15 years of self-soothing her anxiety issues with large amounts of alcohol in binge sessions; was compelling and gave us all much to think and talk about. Helen asked us to consider when her problem with alcohol began from her story, which she believed was from age 14 when she first began using alcohol to escape negative feelings about herself. She then challenged us all to think about our own relationship with, and use of alcohol; in a culture where it is used by many to help us feel better about ourselves. Helen’s replacement for alcohol is now being grateful for what she has and talking honestly to people close to her, which has been far more  beneficial.

I hope that Helen’s words will have resonated with many, and help us all have a more positive relationship with alcohol, and to spot those addictive tendencies which might lead us to be controlled by this most socially acceptable drug.

Zanna Wilson-Brown - Head of PSHEE