Excessive alcohol consumption has been recognised as a major problem for Western countries and is a matter of particular concern within the UK.1 The discussion and analysis of young people’s drinking habits has captured the interest of academic researchers from a range of disciplines. Our research in this
area has been mainly qualitative and our approach has been characterised by a desire to get closer to young peoples’ experience of alcohol by understanding the
positive aspects of alcohol consumption to them.2,3

This article provides a summary of the main themes emerging from our research, and suggests some policy implications for working in this area.