Parties, proms, big nights out - they're supposed to be fun - the thing we look forward to all week. Sometimes though, they're not all they're cracked up to be. Sometimes things can get a bit out of control; alcohol can make us do funny things.

Sometimes funny ha ha - sometimes not so actually funny. Sometimes alcohol stops us thinking straight and we end up in situations we don't know how to get out of. Sometimes it makes other people do things they wouldn't normally do, makes them think they are King of the World and that everyone wants them.

Sometimes it makes them deaf when we say 'NO'.

There are some simple things we can do to make sure that our big night out stays a great night out.

• Know your boundaries: Before you go out, take a moment to be sure of what you want to happen and more importantly what you don't want to happen.

• Look out for your mates: Talk with them about what you want to happen and then look out for each other- if you see your mate disappearing into the dark with someone - go and be a big fat gooseberry. Do what you can to protect them from a big regret in the morning.

• Know how you're getting home. Don't spend your last fiver on a drink if it is how you are going to pay the taxi home. Have a plan with your mates to make sure no one is going to be on their own late at night. Protect each other.

• Know how to say 'NO'. It sounds silly but if you've thought of some great excuses beforehand you'll find it easier to remember them when the time comes and someone is throwing all their best chat up lines at you. If necessary, be rude! Here are some top get outs:

• Drink a little less! We don't want to sound like your Nan -but she has a point. We make ourselves vulnerable when we drink too much. It's much easier to keep control of the situations we are in when we are sober.

“I’m now able to go out with my friends, before I was too frightened. Counselling has helped me to say what I want rather than looking after everybody else.”