Understanding Alcohol

4th March, 2024    |    By  DEN    |     242

Zoe provides information to help us understand alcohol’s effects.


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Understanding Alcohol

Alcohol Use and Its Impact

There are many reasons why people might choose to drink alcohol. Most commonly, it’s because it can be pleasurable. People enjoy drinking in social settings, during celebrations, or even commiserations. Alcohol is deeply ingrained in our culture and is often associated with a wide variety of occasions.

Some people may also use alcohol as a form of self-medication. Due to its effects, alcohol can provide temporary relief from issues like depression or anxiety. However, over the long term, alcohol often exacerbates these problems.

Recommended Drinking Guidelines in Australia

  • No more than four standard drinks on any single day.
  • No more than 10 standard drinks throughout the week.
  • For people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, the safest option is not to drink at all.
  • For individuals under 18, it’s also safest to avoid alcohol completely.

Factors Affecting Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
The more water present in the body, the more diluted the alcohol becomes. BAC is essentially a measure of how concentrated alcohol is in your system.

Short-Term Harms of Alcohol
Alcohol impairs coordination, reaction time, and decision-making abilities, increasing the risk of:

  • Accidents (e.g., falls, cuts).
  • Vehicle crashes if driving.

Consuming too much alcohol can lead to:

  1. Feeling sick and losing coordination.
  2. Slurred speech and difficulty walking.
  3. Loss of consciousness, coma, or even cessation of breathing.

If someone you know passes out from drinking:

  • Lay them on their side, with their mouth open and slightly facing down, to keep their airway clear in case of vomiting.
  • Call 000 if their breathing sounds laboured, they stop breathing, or you’re unsure of their condition.

Interactions Between Alcohol and Medications
Alcohol can interfere with both short-term and long-term medications, including antibiotics and treatments for chronic health conditions.

Reasons People May Choose Not to Drink Alcohol

  • Driving soon or other safety concerns.
  • Brain development (under 25, the brain is still maturing).
  • Cultural or religious beliefs.
  • Personal preference (e.g., dislike of intoxication).
  • Health reasons, including managing or reducing alcohol consumption.

How to Support Someone Who Chooses Not to Drink

  • Don’t pressure them—respect their decision.
  • Include them in events and offer non-alcoholic options like soft drinks or juice.
  • If you’re unsure, ask them directly: “How do you feel about me having a glass of wine?”

Tracking Alcohol Consumption
A drinking diary is a simple tool to:

  • Assess if there might be an issue.
  • Monitor progress when trying to reduce alcohol intake.

Where to Find Help
Support can come from family, friends, or professional services. In Tasmania, a valuable resource is the DEN (Drug Education Network) website, which offers:

  • Factsheets.
  • Videos.
  • A directory of over 500 resources on alcohol and other drugs.

VIDEO BY DRUG EDUCATION NETWORK