Alcohol AUSTRALIAN DRUG FOUNDATION
01 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
This pamphlet is part of the “How Drugs Affect You� series. It aims to provide the facts about alcohol for anyone interested in understanding more about this drug. It has been written for the general public, including employees, employers, health professionals and their clients.
Other titles in this series include amphetamines, analgesics, benzodiazepines, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, drugs and their effects, ecstasy, GHB, hallucinogens, heroin, ice, inhalants, ketamine and tobacco.
01 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
What is alcohol? Alcohol is a liquid produced by fermentation. Further processing produces alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, cider and spirits. Alcohol is a depressant drug. This means that it slows down the activity of the central nervous system and the messages going between the brain and the body. Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed.
Other names Booze, grog, and piss.
What it looks like Pure alcohol has no colour. It has a very strong taste that feels like a burning sensation. Alcoholic drinks vary in colour and taste depending on their ingredients and how they are made.
Why is it used? In Australia, alcohol is used for social and cultural reasons. Many Australians drink alcohol with meals, to celebrate special occasions and to help them relax and to have fun.
Alcohol in Australia Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia. From 1996–2005, an estimated 32,696 Australians aged over 15 years and older died from alcohol-related injury and disease caused by risky/high risk drinking.1 According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey2, in 2010:
»» 87.9 per cent of Australians aged over 14 years had drank alcohol at some stage in their life
»» 39.5 per cent of drinkers consumed alcohol on a weekly basis »» the average age at which Australians first tried alcohol was 17 years. Pascal R, Chikritzhs T & Jones P 2009 Trends in estimated alcohol-attributable deaths and hospitalisations in Australia, National Alcohol Indicators, Bulletin No.12, Perth: National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology
1
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Report, Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
2
Effects of alcohol The effects of any drug (including alcohol) vary from person to person. How alcohol affects a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to it and whether other drugs are taken. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken.
Immediate effects The effects of alcohol on the brain occur within five minutes of alcohol being drunk. After a few drinks…
»» Feel more relaxed, reduced concentration and slower reflexes
A few more drinks…
»» Fewer inhibitions, more confidence, reduced coordination, slurred speech, intense mood—sad, happy, angry
Still more drinks…
»» Confusion, blurred vision, poor muscle control
More still…
»» Nausea, vomiting, sleep
Even more…
»» Possibly coma or death
Low to moderate doses Some of the effects that may be experienced after drinking alcohol include:
»» feeling relaxed »» mild euphoria »» reduced coordination and slower reflexes
»» lowered inhibitions »» increased confidence »» inappropriate sexual
»» blurred vision »» slurred speech »» flushed appearance »» headache »» nausea »» vomiting »» sleep.
or violent behaviour Higher doses When someone drinks heavily over a short period with the intention of becoming drunk, it is sometimes referred to as “binge drinking”. Binge drinking is harmful because it causes immediate and severe drunkenness. As well as the health risks, it can lead people to take unnecessary risks and put themselves and others in danger. Some common effects of binge drinking are:
»» headaches »» tremors »» nausea
»» vomiting »» coma »» death.
Coming down Hangovers When someone drinks heavily, they may experience a range of symptoms the following day, including:
»» headache »» sensitivity to light and sound »» diarrhoea »» reduced appetite »» trembling »» nausea »» fatigue
»» increased heart rate and blood pressure
»» dehydration (dry mouth, extreme thirst, dry eyes)
»» trouble concentrating »» anxiety »» difficulty sleeping.
Sobering up Sobering up takes time. The liver gets rid of about one standard drink3 an hour. Cold showers, exercise, black coffee, fresh air or vomiting will not speed up the process. Someone who drinks a lot at night may therefore still be affected by alcohol the following day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. Not all drinks contain the same amount of alcohol. If you are not sure, read the label on the container.
3
Sexual organs Males » impotence » shrinking of the testicles » damaged/reduced sperm
Stomach » inflamed lining » bleeding » ulcers
Lungs » greater chance of infections, including tuberculosis
Heart » high blood pressure » irregular pulse » enlarged heart
Muscles » weakness » loss of muscle tissue
Blood » changes in red blood cells
Females » greater risk of gynaecological problems » damage to foetus if pregnant
Breasts » breast cancer
Some of the long-term effects of drinking more than the recommended guidelines include:
Skin » flushing » sweating » bruising
Nervous system » tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet
Pancreas » inflammation causing pain
Liver » severe swelling and pain » hepatitis » cirrhosis » liver cancer
Mouth, throat, oesophagus, lips » cancer
Brain » brain injury » loss of memory » confusion » hallucinations
Long-term effects
Tolerance and dependence People who drink heavily on a regular basis may become dependent on alcohol. They may also develop a tolerance to it, which means they need to drink larger amounts of alcohol to get the same effect. Dependence on alcohol can be physical, psychological, or both. People who are dependent on alcohol crave alcohol and find it very difficult to stop using it. People who are psychologically dependent on alcohol may feel an urge to use it when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body adapts to alcohol and gets used to functioning with it present. Withdrawal If a dependent person stops drinking alcohol, they may experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to get used to functioning without alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms usually start about 4–12 hours after the last drink and can continue for about 4–5 days. These symptoms can include sweating, tremors, nausea and anxiety. Withdrawal from alcohol carries the risk of seizures or fits. Medical assistance may be required to help the person get through withdrawal safely.
Alcohol and gender 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 alcoholrelated disease, such as cancer, diabetes and obesity
»» men are at a greater risk of an alcohol-related injury, such as a car accident, an assault and violence.
Alcohol and driving It is dangerous to drive after drinking alcohol. The effects of alcohol, such as reduced coordination and increased reaction time, can affect driving ability and increase the chance of an accident. The symptoms of a hangover and withdrawal can also affect a person’s ability to drive safely.
Alcohol and the workplace Under occupational health and safety legislation, all employees have a responsibility to make sure they look after their own and their co-workers’ safety. Many workplaces are introducing alcohol and other drug policies, so employees need to be aware of the potential consequences of their drug use. The effects of alcohol and the symptoms of a hangover and withdrawal affect a person’s ability to work safely and effectively.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding Drinking alcohol when pregnant can increase the chances of problems in pregnancy such as bleeding, miscarriage, stillbirth and going into labour early. It can also affect the baby’s growth and development. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders can include physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities. If a mother uses alcohol while breastfeeding, it will be present in her breast milk and may affect the health of the baby.
Alcohol and other drugs The effects of mixing alcohol with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Always read the instructions or seek advice from a health professional before mixing alcohol with medications. Mixing alcohol with other depressant drugs such as benzodiazepines or GHB can cause a person’s breathing and heart rate to decrease to dangerous levels and increase the risk of overdose. Drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis together can increase the unpleasant effects of these drugs, including nausea, vomiting and feelings of panic, anxiety and paranoia. Combining alcohol with stimulant drugs places the body under great stress and can mask some of the effects of alcohol. For example, if a person combines alcohol with energy drinks that contain caffeine (a stimulant) they will still be affected by the alcohol but may not feel as relaxed or sleepy. Both alcohol and caffeine also have a dehydrating effect on the body which can increase the risk of dehydration and its associated symptoms.
Alcohol and social problems All areas of a person’s life can be affected by alcohol use.
»» Disagreements and frustration over alcohol use can cause family arguments and affect personal relationships.
»» Legal and health problems can also add to the strain on personal, financial and work relationships.
Alcohol and the law There are laws that govern how alcohol may be used. These laws may differ depending on the state, territory or local area. For example, in some areas local by-laws make it illegal to drink alcohol in public places such as beaches, parks and streets. It is an offence for a person who is under 18 years of age to buy, receive or drink alcohol on licensed premises or in a public place. It is also an offence for a young person to be on licensed premises unless they are with a parent or guardian. In some states of Australia, it is also an offence to supply a person under 18 years of age with alcohol in a private home unless the young person’s parent or guardian has given permission and the alcohol is supplied in a responsible manner. It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. Penalties for breaking these laws can include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. For more information contact a legal aid service in your state or territory.
Treatment options In Australia, there are many different treatment options for alcohol and other drug problems. Some aim to help a person to stop using alcohol or drugs, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to their alcohol and drug use.
Treatment is more effective if adapted to suit each person’s situation. Some of the different options include individual counselling, group therapy, medication (pharmacotherapy), residential therapy and supervised/home withdrawal.
Preventing and reducing harms Australia’s national drug policy is based on harm minimisation. Strategies to minimise harm include encouraging people to avoid using a drug through to helping people to reduce the risk of harm if they do use a drug. It aims to reduce all types of drug-related harm to both the individual and the community. Australian alcohol guidelines To help people make decisions about their drinking, the National Health and Medical Research Council has developed guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. The guidelines advise that healthy men and women aged over 18 years:
»» should drink no more than two standard drinks on any day, to reduce the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. »» should drink no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion, to reduce the risk of alcohol-related injury. The guidelines also recommend that the safest option for young people under 18 years of age is not to drink. Children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and should not drink alcohol. For young people aged 15–17 years, the safest option is to delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible. It is also recommended that the safest option for breastfeeding or pregnant women is not to drink.
There is no safe level of drug use Use of alcohol or other drugs always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug, including alcohol.
What to do if you are concerned about someone’s alcohol use If you are concerned about someone’s alcohol use, there is confidential help available. Contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this pamphlet.
What to do in a crisis If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while drinking alcohol, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.
»» Dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police.
»» Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives. Find out if anyone at the scene knows cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). »» Ensure that the person has adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing. »» If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back—they could choke. Turn them on their side and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway. »» If breathing has stopped, apply CPR. »» Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can—such as how much alcohol was drunk, how long ago and any pre-existing medical conditions. For further tips on how to reduce the risks of using alcohol, call the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this pamphlet.
For information, counselling or other assistance, contact the alcohol and other drug service in your state or territory.
ACT (02) 6207 9977
Tas. 1800 811 994
NSW (02) 9361 8000 (Sydney) 1800 422 599 (NSW)
Vic. 1300 85 85 84 (information)
NT 1800 131 350
QLD 1800 177 833 SA
1300 131 340
1800 888 236 (counselling)
WA (08) 9442 5000 (Perth) 1800 198 024 (WA)
Produced by the Australian Drug Foundation Š 2013. Celebrating more than 50 years of service to the community, the Australian Drug Foundation is Australia’s leading body committed to preventing alcohol and other drug problems in communities around the nation. www.adf.org.au For further copies of this pamphlet: Post: PO Box 818, North Melbourne, Vic 3051 Street: Level 12, 607 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Email: shop@adf.org.au Web: www.shop.adf.org.au