"You become really close ... you talk about the silly things you did, and we laugh": The role of binge drinking in female secondary students' lives

In Australia, negative attitudes regarding young women's drinking have ease d, drinking is on the increase, and there are heightened concerns about 'he avy' or 'binge drinking. In a climate where underage drinking is frequently considered undesirable, campaigns aimed at reducing 'heavy' alcohol use ha ve failed. This article takes as its departure point the notion that alcoho l plays a meaningful role in social lives and relationships. It is through the use of narrative that these young women make sense of their drinking, w hich is still stigmatized, Any harm encountered along the way tends to be f iltered through the 'good story,' brimming with tales of fun, adventure, bo nding, sex, gender transgressions, and relationships. Nevertheless, these w omen implemented their own practical harm minimization strategies, and it i s here that professionals can gain a foothold and assist young people and h elp them to drink more safely.