Think Before You Drink!

ALCOHOL IS A DRUG, which slows down a person's brain and central nervous systems. Drinking excessive amounts results in a person having less control over their behaviour and reactions. These toxic and sedative effects on the body if combined with the failure to take care of nutritional and other physical needs during prolonged periods of excessive drinking, may complicate matters. Advanced cases often require hospitalisation.

As with most drugs, people can be affected differently. The same amount of alcohol may have a slight effect on one person but a much greater effect on someone else.

Too much alcohol may cause confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, extreme emotions, lack of coordination and control over actions or words, sickness, vomiting, sleep and in some instances, have even been known to cause or contribute to a coma or death.

Large doses of alcohol consumption on a regular basis can lead to permanent damage of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Blackouts and hallucinations may occur. An individual who is experiencing a blackout often awakens after the episode with no recollection of previous activities. An unpleasant experience for any individual let alone a drunken one.

People who have been drinking are also more likely to engage in unsafe sex, which can result in pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

AND it is a known fact that females are affected by alcohol far more than our male counterparts. This is because female bodies contain less water and more fatty tissue than that of the male, which leads to alcohol becoming more concentrated in female blood and therefore producing a greater effect.

** MIXING DRUGS & ALCOHOL CAN MULTIPLY THE EFFECTS **

Taking other drugs whilst intoxicated can be very dangerous as the effects will be much greater! Marijuana and heroin can be particularly dangerous, as can medications like tranquillisers, antidepressants and antihistamines.

Drinking large quantities of alcohol can affect nearly EVERY part of your body - especially the areas of the brain, heart, liver, muscles, and reproductive muscles.

How Do I Sober Up?

Contrary to common perceptions that a person can sober up by taking a cold shower, exercising, drinking black coffee, urinating or vomiting, the only thing that WILL sober up a person is TIME. It takes approximately about one hour for your liver to break down the alcohol in one standard drink. NOTHING will rid your body of alcohol more quickly!

ALCOHOL & THE LAW

If you are under 18 you are breaking the law if you:

• Purchase alcohol
• Receive or possess alcohol
• Consume alcohol in a public place

When throwing up it is important to notice the colour of your vomit, as this can indicate a range of underlying conditions caused by excessive alcohol consumption. For more information, check the Centre for Gastrointestinal Health vomit colour guide.

- Annemarie Failla