Video Transcription

The low down on alcohol

Grog, pissed, shots, tinnies, booze, good times, doing stupid things, dangerous things, thinking that stupid things are funny. Parties, mates, fun, isolation, intoxication, getting a little too confident, violence, drama, clubbing, getting aggressive, bingeing, making mistakes, spending lots of money, vomiting, headaches, wasted—alcohol.

Strategies to keep on top of your drinking.

Hey guys, Dylan Lewis here with the lowdown on alcohol. The legal age for drinking is 18—we know that. But let’s face it, lots of young people get into alcohol earlier than that. So, what difference does it make when you start drinking anyway?

Well, the fact is, alcohol is toxic to the developing brain. Whoa, sounds heavy! But it’s true. In the short term, it might affect your memory, your ability to handle complex thought processes, and it might make it harder for you to recognize risky situations.

In the long term, alcohol can mess with your mood and cause anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Statistics show that the longer you wait before getting into alcohol, the more opportunity your brain has to develop properly. And having a healthy brain gives you a much better chance of living a happier life. That’s why planning how you’ll deal with alcohol is so important. Good planning means better decisions.

I’ve got some tips for ya. Ready? Go.

• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach—eat some souvlaki, smash a pie.
• Drink water as you go. This keeps you hydrated, slows down your alcohol intake, and can reduce the severity of a hangover.
• Set yourself a limit. When you reach it, switch to water or soft drink, or step things down with a low-alcohol drink like light beer.
• Save some cash and sit out the next round.
• Choose a cut-off time, so you know when to stop ordering drinks.
• Look out for the physical signs that you might have had enough. Are you feeling full? (belch) Are you talking more than usual? Is your coordination getting a bit dodgy? Do you feel light-headed? Are you making a lot of trips to the bathroom? Yep, sorry, I’ll be back in a tick!

Your reaction time slows down heaps when you drink, so driving is definitely a bad idea. When you go out and get wasted, there’s less chance you’ll be able to enjoy—or even remember—hanging with your mates, getting on the dance floor, or meeting new people. It can get pretty messy, and you may end up doing or saying stuff that you wish you hadn’t. Lame!

Okay, sometimes it can feel like your body handles alcohol without any problems. Sure, you’re young, you feel like Superman! How does that song go? (SINGS)

Maybe you’ll dodge the hangover. But the fact is, your brain is still getting slammed. Yup, slammed!

So, how do you know if alcohol is turning into a problem for you or your mates? You might be finding it harder to concentrate on study or work. You might just be feeling more edgy and irritable. Maybe you’re thinking a lot about drinking. You might have to drink more to get the same buzz or find it difficult to stop once you’ve started.

And if you’re drinking on your own or often feeling hungover, that’s definitely a sign that things aren’t right.

Ask yourself:

• Are you treating your body and brain with respect?
• Is alcohol affecting your relationships in a bad way?
• Is it making you act like a bit of a tool?
• Are you using alcohol to deal with some other difficulty in your life?

If alcohol is a problem, or you’re just concerned about your drinking, talking about it makes a massive difference. Your mates or a family member are a good place to start. Think about seeing your school counselor, social worker, or doctor.

Check out your local headspace center or log on to eheadspace. These services are totally confidential, and they’re free.

So, when it comes to alcohol, be responsible and be smart. Keep yourself healthy and look after your brain.

Love your brain—you’ve only got one!

Love your brain! Yes.