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The Booze Cruise

A game to highlight the effects and risks of too much alcohol.

Get participants to write down what they feel the effects and risks of drinking too much are:

Aim: to raise awareness of the effects of drinking too much alcohol. 

Good points

Bad points
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Safe Drinking

Being safe when you are drinking, top tips.  Get participants to think of ways of keeping safe when drinking.  Ask participants if they can think of four main issues that need to be considered.

These issues are:

  1. Drinking and driving
  2. Drinking and having unprotected sex
  3. Safe drinking and the recovery position
  4. Knowing your limits

Divide into four groups, giving each group one of the four issues above.   Get participants to list the dangers and come up with strategies for keeping safe.  The groups then present their findings to the other groups.  Get group 3 (safety and recovery) to show the rest of the groups the recovery position, using volunteers.

Notes and topics for discussion

  1. Drinking and driving

Drinking and driving is deadly.  Many deaths are caused each year by people drinking alcohol and driving a car.  Do not get into a car with anyone who has been drinking and is going to drive.  Before you go out, nominate a driver who is not going to drink, take it in turns to drive and not drink, get a taxi, bus or arrange to be picked up by someone who has not been drinking.

  1. Sex & Booze

Too much can make you feel that you are not in control.  Having sex with someone when you are drunk, when you perhaps would not normally have had sex with that person, can lead to more than regrets and red faces.  You could be looking at an unwanted pregnancy and catching sexually transmitted diseases, if you do not use contraception.  Carry condoms on you.  If you feel you may have had unprotected sex after a night of heavy drinking (sometimes you may not remember exactly what you have done), you could go to a family planning clinic, healthwise or to your doctor, who can prescribe the morning after pill.  This must be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

  1. Safe drinking and leave them with someone

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. Lift their chin slightly to ensure their airways are clear, put both arms in front of them, with one resting under their head. Make sure the head that is resting under their head is not cupped near their mouth, as this can be a reservoir for vomit. You can get alcohol poisoning when you drink too much, which can put you in a coma or kill you. If you are concerned about a friend, call an ambulance. It's better to be safe than sorry.

  1. Know your limits

Alcohol affects people in different ways.  Some people giggle and stagger, and some get violent.  The more you drink, the more you get used to it, and it takes more booze to get you feeling merry.  Some drinks, such as alcopops, are stronger than they taste, so you may end up getting drunker than you intended.  It also takes time to take effect, so you could feel drunk very suddenly, if you are drinking quickly.  There are recommended limits which are:

  • 3 – 4 units per day for men
  • 2 – 3 units per day for women
  • A unit is half a pint of beer, lager or cider, a small glass of wine or one measure (25ml) of spirits.

Get to know your own limit and stick to it.

Gloucestershire YPSMS
 

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