Drug Awareness

Alcohol

What is alcohol?

Alcoholic drinks contain the drug ethanol (ethyl alcohol). A drug is a substance which changes the way your body and mind work. Alcohol is a powerful drug. It is a depressant drug and not a stimulant, as many people believe. It slows down the activity in parts of the brain and the nervous system.

In March 2009, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released new guidelines about alcohol consumption and health risk. These guidelines moved away from previous threshold-based definitions of ‘risky’ or ‘high-risk’ drinking in recognition of the fact that the lifetime risk of harm from consuming alcohol increases progressively with the amount consumed.

According to the revised guidelines, for those aged under 18 years, not drinking is the safest option, and this is especially important for children aged under 15 years. Positively the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, the proportion of people aged 12–15 years and 16–17 years abstaining from alcohol has increased from 2007 to 2010 (from 69.9% to 77.2% and from 24.4% to 31.6%, respectively).

The 2010 Survey also found that people aged 18–29 years were more likely than any other age group to drink alcohol in a way that put them at risk of alcohol-related harm over their lifetime (31.7per cent for those aged 18–19 years and 26.9per cent for those aged 20–29 years).

Effects of alcohol

The effects of alcohol will vary from person to person. They depend on:

  • How much and how quickly the alcohol is consumed.
  • The person’s body size.
  • How good their health is, and particularly, how well their liver works.
  • The occasion on which the alcohol is consumed, eg with a meal, alone or at a party, after hard physical exercise.
  • Whether the alcohol is consumed with other drugs.
  • Age and gender.

Some immediate effects may include:

  • Relaxation.
  • Feeling of well being.
  • Loss of inhibitions.
  • Flushing; dizziness.
  • Unclear judgment.
  • Uncoordinated movements.
  • Slow reactions.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Aggression.
  • Vomiting.
  • Unconsciousness.

Sensible drinking

The use of standard drinks can help a person monitor his or her alcohol consumption and exercise control over the amount they drink. Different types of alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of pure alcohol. A standard drink is defined as one that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.

Keep in mind

  • The ‘standard’ size of drinks served in some hotels may be bigger than a standard drink. Large wine glasses can hold two standard drinks – or even more.
  • Drinks served at home often contain more alcohol than a standard drink.
  • Cocktails can contain as many as five or six standard drinks, depending on the recipe.

Minimizing the risks from drinking alcohol for men and women

At low levels of drinking there is little difference between men and women. However at higher levels of drinking:

  • Women are at a greater risk of developing an alcohol-related disease such as cancers, diabetes and obesity.
  • Men are at greater risk of an alcohol-related injury such as a car accident, assault and violence

Hints for drinking less

  • Have a “spacer” every couple of drinks. Start with a non-alcoholic drink to quench your thirst before you start drinking alcohol and have a non-alcoholic drink every second or third drink.
  • Pace yourself. Take sips, not gulps and drink at your own pace not someone else’s. This means trying to avoid drinking in rounds where you are trying to keep up with the fastest drinker. If you are in a round, drink a low or nonalcoholic drink.
  • Use a smaller glass. Try drinking smaller glasses of beer or wine and make them last longer.
  • Don’t let people top up your drink. Always finish your drink before getting a new one, this helps you keep track of how much alcohol you have consumed.
  • Avoid drinking high-alcohol content drinks–try the low alcohol alternative. The number of standard drinks contained in an alcoholic beverage is listed on the side of the can or bottle. Some cans may contain over two standard drinks. If mixing your own drinks, use less alcohol than normal.
  • Eat before and while you are drinking. Eating slows your drinking pace and fills you up. If you have a full stomach, alcohol will be absorbed more slowly. But avoid the salty snacks as they make you thirsty, so you drink more.
  • Don’t just sit and drink—stay busy. Play pool, dance, or talk to friends. If you have something to do, you tend to drink less.
  • Don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to. It’s OK to say no.

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What is alcohol?

Alcoholic drinks contain the drug ethanol (ethyl alcohol). A drug is a substance which changes the way your body and mind work. Alcohol is a powerful drug. It is a depressant drug and not a stimulant, as many people believe. It slows down the activity in parts of the brain and the nervous system.

In March 2009, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released new guidelines about alcohol consumption and health risk. These guidelines moved away from previous threshold-based definitions of ‘risky’ or ‘high-risk’ drinking in recognition of the fact that the lifetime risk of harm from consuming alcohol increases progressively with the amount consumed.

According to the revised guidelines, for those aged under 18 years, not drinking is the safest option, and this is especially important for children aged under 15 years. Positively the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, the proportion of people aged 12–15 years and 16–17 years abstaining from alcohol has increased from 2007 to 2010 (from 69.9% to 77.2% and from 24.4% to 31.6%, respectively).

The 2010 Survey also found that people aged 18–29 years were more likely than any other age group to drink alcohol in a way that put them at risk of alcohol-related harm over their lifetime (31.7per cent for those aged 18–19 years and 26.9per cent for those aged 20–29 years).

Effects of alcohol

The effects of alcohol will vary from person to person. They depend on:

  • How much and how quickly the alcohol is consumed.
  • The person’s body size.
  • How good their health is, and particularly, how well their liver works.
  • The occasion on which the alcohol is consumed, eg with a meal, alone or at a party, after hard physical exercise.
  • Whether the alcohol is consumed with other drugs.
  • Age and gender.

Some immediate effects may include:

  • Relaxation.
  • Feeling of well being.
  • Loss of inhibitions.
  • Flushing; dizziness.
  • Unclear judgment.
  • Uncoordinated movements.
  • Slow reactions.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Aggression.
  • Vomiting.
  • Unconsciousness.

Sensible drinking

The use of standard drinks can help a person monitor his or her alcohol consumption and exercise control over the amount they drink. Different types of alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of pure alcohol. A standard drink is defined as one that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.

Keep in mind

  • The ‘standard’ size of drinks served in some hotels may be bigger than a standard drink. Large wine glasses can hold two standard drinks – or even more.
  • Drinks served at home often contain more alcohol than a standard drink.
  • Cocktails can contain as many as five or six standard drinks, depending on the recipe.

Minimizing the risks from drinking alcohol for men and women

At low levels of drinking there is little difference between men and women. However at higher levels of drinking:

  • Women are at a greater risk of developing an alcohol-related disease such as cancers, diabetes and obesity.
  • Men are at greater risk of an alcohol-related injury such as a car accident, assault and violence

Hints for drinking less

  • Have a “spacer” every couple of drinks. Start with a non-alcoholic drink to quench your thirst before you start drinking alcohol and have a non-alcoholic drink every second or third drink.
  • Pace yourself. Take sips, not gulps and drink at your own pace not someone else’s. This means trying to avoid drinking in rounds where you are trying to keep up with the fastest drinker. If you are in a round, drink a low or nonalcoholic drink.
  • Use a smaller glass. Try drinking smaller glasses of beer or wine and make them last longer.
  • Don’t let people top up your drink. Always finish your drink before getting a new one, this helps you keep track of how much alcohol you have consumed.
  • Avoid drinking high-alcohol content drinks–try the low alcohol alternative. The number of standard drinks contained in an alcoholic beverage is listed on the side of the can or bottle. Some cans may contain over two standard drinks. If mixing your own drinks, use less alcohol than normal.
  • Eat before and while you are drinking. Eating slows your drinking pace and fills you up. If you have a full stomach, alcohol will be absorbed more slowly. But avoid the salty snacks as they make you thirsty, so you drink more.
  • Don’t just sit and drink—stay busy. Play pool, dance, or talk to friends. If you have something to do, you tend to drink less.
  • Don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to. It’s OK to say no.

beerwine

You can make a difference

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Today’s teenagers are drinking at a younger age and at risky levels. The average Australian starts drinking alcohol at 15.5 years; and more than a quarter of our 14-19 year olds are putting themselves at risk of alcohol-related harm at least once a month.

From when your child turns 12 years old until they reach about 24 years their brain is forming all the parts needed for learning, memory, planning, emotional stability, and thinking. Alcohol can disrupt this.

Your child trusts you and relies on you for information and advice. Research shows that they believe that you should teach them about alcohol.

Most Australian parents think that they should start a conversation with their kids on alcohol before they reach 12 years of age. But, talking to kids about alcohol and setting the boundaries and expectations to keep them safe can be a daunting task.

DrinkWise has developed this Parent’s 5-Point Plan to provide practical advice on how to be a positive influence and delay your child’s introduction to alcohol.

Discuss the issues

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Keep the lines of communication open with your kids. Discuss the fact that not everyone drinks.

Be aware that young people are likely to have a favourable perception of the social bene ts of alcohol – they seek to drink believing it will help them fit in, and need to know that they can t in without drinking alcohol.

TIP:

Highlight that not drinking is TIP 1 the norm for young people. Two-thirds of 12-15 year olds have never had a drink of alcohol.

Let older teens know that they are not alone, with one in five 16-17 year olds sharing in their decision to not drink.

Educate by Example

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Be a positive role model, use alcohol responsibly. KIDS ABSORB YOUR DRINKING, so watch your own alcohol consumption and remember that there is the option of not drinking alcohol at all.

If alcohol does play a role in your family life, talk to your child about how you use alcohol responsibly and the rules and boundaries you follow.

TIP 2

Parents who drink alcohol and have more lenient attitudes towards alcohol are more likely to have adolescents who consume alcohol at risky and high risk levels. Try not to make every family gathering or celebration focus around alcohol. Make a point of having alcohol-free events to demonstrate to your children that you can enjoy yourself without alcohol.

Listen and engage

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Be aware of and show interest in your child’s upcoming activities and discuss these (it’s an opportunity to set clear expectations). Get to know their friends, and their friend’s parents.

TIP3

Knowing your kid’s friends’ parents gives you the advantage of knowing where your child is and enables you to discuss and develop a common position on things like drinking alcohol so that the kids are hearing one strong and united voice. If they don’t agree with your position at least they know your views and will be better placed to respect them.

Be comfortable in the knowledge that you are in the majority- choosing to ‘delay your child’s introduction to alcohol’. Most Australian’s believe that it is unacceptable for under 18s to be allowed to drink at parties; and most Australian parents believe it is unacceptable for children under 18 to drink.

A good relationship

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Work on developing and maintaining a good parent-child relationship based on clear and open communication. Parent-child relationships characterised by emotional warmth and support, trust, involvement and attachment are associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol misuse.

TIP4

Kids who feel their parents are caring, concerned and supportive start alcohol use later and drink less. Be there to support them as hormonal changes, school commitments and peer influence build.

Download the 5 Point Plan (PDF)

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Talking to your kids about alchol

Talking to your kids aged 15-17
For some parents, talking to your teenager about alcohol and setting rules and boundaries to keep them safe, can be daunting.  Many parents feel that it’s their responsibility to create strategies and educate their children on when, where and how to drink. However some parents can struggle with how to provide this guidance.

It’s vital that parents keep the lines of communication open through the teen years. Make sure you have frank discussions about alcohol.

  • Debunk some of the popular and unhelpful myths – e.g. not every parent provides their child with alcohol.
  • Be prepared. Teenagers will raise the topic of alcohol if and when they’re ready to talk. Be ready to have the conversation and address their queries – that’s when they’re most open to hear your advice. Remember to plan what you want to say to them ahead of time.
  • Be aware of your own role modelling when it comes to alcohol. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitude and behaviours towards alcohol by being role models for their kids.

Tips for the talk

  • Pick your time. The car can be a great place and time for constructive conversations – they’re a captive audience and there’s also the benefit that they don’t have to be facing you.
  • Be consistent in your own behaviour. It’s easier for teens to model their behaviour on positive role models when it’s consistent.
  • Draw the line between adult activities and child activities. Don’t be afraid to let your child know that some things aren’t appropriate for teens. If you believe that drinking alcohol is only something that adults do, make sure they hear your views on the matter.
  • Challenge unfounded statements. If your child tells you that ‘everyone else drinks’, ask them to provide proof.
  • Challenge their beliefs. Be aware that teenagers are likely to want to drink alcohol believing it will help them fit in. They need to know they can fit in without drinking.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your GP or local health professional is available for you and your teen.

Binge drinking – putting things in perspective
Binge drinking is not just about the number of drinks you have – it’s about drinking with the specific intention of ‘getting drunk’.
Binge drinking receives a great deal of media attention and can lead to shaping teens beliefs that this is the norm. There’s no denying that there are many young people who drink in risky ways, but there are many teenagers who are trying their best to keep themselves and their friends as safe as possible.

Remember: kids absorb your drinking.

Australian research shows that in 2011 around 63% of 17 year olds were not considered to be current drinkers, so this finding may challenge the belief that everybody is doing it.  However of those 17 year olds who were considered to be current drinkers, around 19% drank in a risky way (more than 4 drinks) at least once in the week before they were surveyed.

That means there’s only a minority of kids who are binge drinking – but they’re still obvious and influential.
Some young people ‘preload’ to save money – quickly drinking large amounts of alcohol at home before heading out. Often they’re already intoxicated before they walk out the front door. By the time they get to where they’re going their judgement is clouded, causing them to continue drinking more than they intended to, so they don’t save money at all.

If your teen really believes getting drunk every weekend is normal, there could be other factors at play. Perhaps there are other influences in their lives (peers, older siblings, relatives) or problems that you’re unaware of. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.

Talking to your kids aged 9-14
Kids are interested in what’s going on around them and seeing how their role models use alcohol is part of this. So it’s important to start talking to your kids about alcohol. And the right time to start is right now.

Research shows that parents have the greatest impact on shaping their children’s attitude to alcohol and future drinking behaviour. The role alcohol plays in your life will have an effect on them too.

They might ask you about alcohol and what it’s like to drink it. Always answer honestly.

  • Talk to your child about alcohol and the importance of drinking in moderation. Explain what happens to the body when you drink too young and too much.
  • Set rules – the most important one being not to drink. Be sure to discuss this rule and agree on the consequences if not followed.
  • Teach them to say ‘no’ and that not everyone drinks.
  • Ask them how they feel about you drinking alcohol. What attitudes have they already formed about it? It will help you reflect on your own drinking behaviours and open up the lines of communication.

Don’t turn a foolie this Schoolies
Schoolies. It’s a little word for a big week. It’s the holiday Year 12s all over Australia have been waiting for. But above all, it’s the chance to celebrate the end of school…finally. Hold up. Before you race out there, make sure you’re prepared. Not knowing the risks or what to do in an emergency can turn things ugly, fast.

Wherever you’re planning on spending schoolies, it’s always good to have a plan. Around alcohol people can change and the risks are high.

So here are a few tips for a fun, safe Schoolies Week:

  • Let your parents know where you’re staying and who you’re going with.
  • Keep in contact with your parents throughout the week – so they know you’re safe (they’re less likely to hassle you then too)
  • Register as a school leaver with the local council (or schoolies organisation) in the area you’re visiting.
  • Always have your phone on you (and charged!)
  • Put your ‘in case of emergency number’ (ICE) in your phone.
  • In an emergency call 000.
  • Keep money aside for emergencies.
  • Eat before you drink – preferably carbohydrate-rich food such as rice, bread, pasta, pizza etc. It’ll help slow the rate your body absorbs alcohol.
  • Be extra cautious with drinks. Avoid drinks with high alcohol content and beware of drink spiking – don’t let your drink out of your sight.
  • Pace your alcohol intake and hydrate with non-alcoholic drinks like water.
  • Stay with friends and keep an eye out for one another.
  • Don’t drink drive or get into a car with anyone who’s been drinking.
  • Avoid risky situations such as swimming after drinking or getting into arguments and fights.

For more information visit “drinkwise.org.au

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