Bottling Out
Alcohol Awareness
This is an interactive workshop that uses drama sketches and drama games to encourage young people to consider what they know about alcohol and to consider the risks associated with using any substance that will change the way they think, feel or behave. The workshop will be lead by a team of three who will both facilitate and perform.
Bottling Out gives the students a chance to think about the issues surrounding alcohol and a chance for their voices to be heard. The facilitators feed in facts and dispel myths surrounding alcohol.
The workshop lasts for 75 minutes and is suitable for up to 60 year 7/8 students in mainstream and specialist settings. Written resources comprise pupil questionnaire to help identify areas of concern and where further work is necessary, and a short document detailing facts about alcohol.
Dale has stolen a bottle of wine from his uncle. His mission is to convince Laura and Luther to drink it with him. Laura doesn't like being called a baby and gives in without too much work, but Luther is a different story. He knows some of the risks surrounding alcohol and he's strong enough to make up his own mind. Luther leaves the other two to their drinking. Dale has overlooked one vital requirement, however: he does not have a bottle opener.
Topics covered:
- Short term health risks associated with alcohol
- Risks associated with alcohol: losing control, vulnerability to violence, being drunk in a dangerous place
- Other risks associated with alcohol: sexual health, social humiliation, vulnerability to violence
- Decision making
- The law
- Buying alcohol when underage
We see Luther's home life. It becomes clear that the reason he's so well informed about alcohol is because he has to support his Mum who has a dependency upon it. Luther tries to talk to his mum about how much time she is spending in the pub and not with him.
Topics covered:
- Asking for help
- Raising difficult subjects
- Impact of alcohol on family life
- An assertiveness technique will be demonstrated
- The recovery position (this is demonstrated)
- Long term health risks associated with alcohol

