Alcohol
aka: booze, bevy, pop, etc.
It comes in all shapes, tastes, sizes, such as vodka, beer, wine, alcopops, cider, the list is endless. Alcohol plays major part in most people's social lives. It’s an accepted norm in our society to have a drink when you are socialising with mates. Most people drink, but too much can lead to alcoholism, which is very damaging to your body. When drinking it’s a good idea to know the risks and keep yourself and your mates safe. Know your limit and don’t get in a car with someone who has been drinking and is going to drive.
What are the effects?
- Alcohol depresses your brain functions which means that if you
are in a good mood, you can feel happy and chilled out but if
you drink when you are in a bad mood or feeling down, it can make
you feel worse.
- Some people get violent when they drink.
- It lowers your inhibitions, so you feel more confident.
- You can start to slur your words, and you may start staggering.
- You can vomit.
- Hangovers are awful, you can feel like your head is going to
explode, you can be sick and get the shakes.
What are the risks?
- If a mate is very drunk, don’t leave them alone, they may choke on their own vomit. Lay them on their side, making sure they can’t roll back, and make sure their airways are clear. The recovery position is the best way to position them.
- Don’t let a mate walk home alone, if they are drunk. Make sure they get back safely and that you leave them with someone.
- As it lowers inhibitions, you may find yourself going a bit further than you intended; there have been many unwanted pregnancies due to a night’s drinking, make sure you carry condoms.
- You can get alcoholic poisoning when you drink too much, which can put you in a coma or kill you.
- Long term use can cause liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease.
What’s too much?
Too much is when you can’t function properly, and you start to lose control
over what you are doing. Everyone has different levels, if you are
drinking get to know your own limits and stick to them.
Alcohol contains mild toxins that in the long term can cause damage
to pretty much any part of your body as these toxins are carried
through your blood stream. At particular risk is your liver as this
is the organ that processes alcohol in your body. You should also
remember that alcohol contains a lot of calories and frequent heavy
use will cause you to put on weight which can also be damaging to
your health.
If you want to stay healthy and not damaged by the effects of alcohol, then official guidelines suggest that you should drink no more than:
3 – 4 units per day for men
2 – 3 units per day for women
You should also have two alcohol free day every week.
A unit is:
Half a pint of weak beer, lager or cider (3,5%)
A small glass(125ml) of weak wine (9%abv),
or one pub measure(25ml) of spirits (40%abv).
If you want to work out exactly how much you are drinking the formula
is:
Alcohol by Volume (abv) % x Milliletres ÷ 1000 = no. of units
e.g. 1 large can of premium strength lager will be about 5% and
is normally sold in 500ml cans so the sum is 5 x 500 = 2500. 2500
÷ 1000 = 2.5. So a typical can of lager contains 2.5 units.
This means that drinking more than two cans in any day starts to
put your health at risk.
The Law It isn’t illegal to drink, although you can be arrested for
anti-social behaviour.
Under 5 – It’s illegal to give alcohol to a child except under medical supervision.
Under 14 – You can’t go into a bar or pub, unless it has a children’s certificate. You can go into their beer garden.
14 and 15 – You can go into a pub, but cannot drink alcohol
16 and 17 - An adult, over 18, can buy you beer or cider providing its with a meal and you eat and drink in a room that is not a bar
Over 18 – You can drink or buy alcohol legally.
It is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to buy alcohol.
The Law
Staying Safe
- Keep a count on the amount consumed.
- Don’t drive or operate machinery whilst under the influence.
- Take a limited amount of cash with you if you go out.
- Don’t get into too much round buying.
- Remember safe sex.
- Use non/low alcoholic beverages
- Look out for each other.
- Agree drinking limits with your drinking partners.
- Do not take with other drugs especially depressants like tranquillisers, barbiturates, heroin, other opiates and nicotine.
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