Over half of 18-24 year-olds state they’ve missed out on events they wished to attend due to excessive alcohol consumption. This is according to a new study by the Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse) and TrygFonden.

For many young people, alcohol is associated with parties and fun experiences. However, many have passed out, felt sick, or blacked out, missing events such as a birthday party, a concert of their favorite band, or university introductory festivities.

In a new questionnaire survey conducted by Epinion for the Danish Cancer Society and TrygFonden, 630 young individuals aged 18-24 were asked about their experiences with alcohol. A significant 54% identified with missing out on experiences because they had drunk excessively.

“We know that many young people drink alcohol for fun, so it’s unfortunate when alcohol gets in the way of great experiences. We want to emphasize that one can get more out of an evening by reducing alcohol intake. This benefits both health and the party,” says Søren Stokholm Thomsen, Project Manager at TrygFonden.

Alcohol can ruin the party in multiple ways
Young people don’t just miss out on good experiences when they drink too much. When drinking gets out of hand, it also affects friendships. Over 7 in 10 young people have experienced a party being ruined because a friend was too drunk.

The day after, both moral and physical hangovers can also be troublesome, with about 4 out of 5 of those aged 18-24 stating they have drunk so much that they wished they had consumed less the next day.

Health consequences both short and long-term
High alcohol consumption is also linked with many adverse health outcomes in both the short and long run. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health, 4% of those aged 18-24 had an emergency room visit in the past year due to alcohol. This equates to about 30,000 annual ER visits. At its worst, alcohol results in at least one death among 15-25 year-olds each month. In the longer term, alcohol increases the risk for more than 200 conditions and diseases, including cancer.

“Young Danes sadly hold a European record for drinking, and it’s of course concerning when we know the numerous adverse effects of high alcohol consumption. After a period of declining alcohol use among youth, recent studies unfortunately show a rising trend. This calls for action from politicians, parents, and the youth themselves,” says Peter Dalum, Project Manager at the Danish Cancer Society and TrygFonden’s alcohol initiative ‘Fuld af liv’ (Full of Life).

The Danish Cancer Society and TrygFonden launched a new campaign, aiming to make the youth reflect on their alcohol consumption and to encourage moderation. The campaign emphasizes the missed amazing experiences due to excessive drinking. The campaign is titled FOMO FOREVER and can be viewed here.