Little book on alcohol by ReGen UnitingCare

Section 1

Why I wrote this book

Section 2

Who's ReGen?

Section 3

Why do people who drink, drink?

Section 4

Alcohol's effects Short term

Long term Tolerance Dependence

8 13 15

Section 5

Managing risk & reducing harms

Published June 2013 by UnitingCare ReGen © Copyright UnitingCare ReGen 2013 Bella’s story and images used are amalgamated from experience shared by people who have alcohol issues, as well as their families and friends, and have been de-identified for privacy purposes. Thanks to Calzak Bowen – lead writer and Jane Thomson for design. ReGen acknowledges and thanks the huge number of contributors to this publication for their generous support and for sharing their expertise, especially the numerous young people who have made it ‘real’. Thanks also to Rachel Horgan and Gozer Studio - www.gozer.com.au for the illustrations. ReGen acknowledges funding provided by SHARE which made the whole project possible.

Section 6

Section 7

Risk taking & drinking to excess Backseat blunder (big mistake #1) The drink, individual & environment A risky mix Schoolies - Ollie (big mistake #2) Sex while intoxicated Stuff to look out for & avoid Looking after myself & others

17 21 23 25 29 31 33 35

Standards, limits & laws BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) Bloody idiot - Mark (big mistake #3) Standard drinks & safer drinking levels Legal matters

37 41 43 47

Thinking about change

How do I know if I need to? What are my options?

49 51

Section 8

Resources

Section 9

Glossary

57 3

Hi My name is Bella, I’m twentyone and I spent my adolescence growing up in Melbourne. Just to clarify, this book won’t tell you alcohol is bad and you should never touch it. This is a book to try and combat the crap. Hundreds of years of drunken beer hall logic have left the topic of alcohol as confusing as why some ‘celebrities’ are famous. My hope is this book might set a few things straight. I don’t know a single person who drinks everyday, but I know a lot of people who have issues with alcohol. Not necessarily an ‘alcohol issue’, but friends who have had problems where alcohol was involved. Just last week a mate sprained his wrist attempting to hurdle a handrail, while another lost her boyfriend because of a drunken FB post (reluctantly she said I could share it with you, it’s on the back page). My point is, problems to do with alcohol are not just for those who are considered ‘alcoholics’ or violent. Anyone who drinks alcohol or is around people who drink should know the potential harms and risks.

My hope is that this info will help others avoid making similar mistakes. If I was given the chance to re-do my last ten years, this is the info about alcohol that I would want to know. Over the years I have heard plenty of people say things like ‘alcohol makes you better in bed’ and ‘energy drinks keep you sober’ and truthfully I was starting to lose track of what to believe. I wanted to help set the record straight, but not being an expert myself I teamed up with some of the people at ReGen. You may never have touched a drop of alcohol in your life and never want to, or you may claim you invented ‘goon of fortune’ (where you attach a bag of goon to a hills hoist). Either way, you should be able to get something out of this book. Enjoy

PS If youted are intereswhether in knowingcausing alcohol islems and/or you prob g giving alcohol a considerin a while you may rest for check out ‘Thinking want tohange’ on page 49. about C

So far, I believe I have made three big mistakes while drinking, all of which could have been easily avoided. Luckily none of them have left me drinking through a straw, in jail, or on ‘Teen Mum’, but as you’ll read in this book I wish I had gone about them differently. I guess this brings me to the main reason I wrote this book. 4

If you answered ‘who cares?!’, skip this section. If you’re interested in where I got the book’s info, read on.

aims to reduce the supply of and demand for alcohol and other drugs in Australia, while also considering the needs of people who currently use these substances. It also focuses on prevention and targeting ‘at-risk’ groups.

ReGen (formerly Moreland Hall) is the lead alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and education agency of UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania. They are a not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote health and reduce alcohol and drug related harms.

ReGen believe that we should focus on recognising and building people’s strengths, and creating a sense of hope. Evidence shows that this provides the best opportunity for improving people’s health and reducing alcohol and other drug related harm.

They believe in providing services that offer practical help for people with alcohol and other drug issues, their families and the broader community. ReGen has a range of youth focussed treatment and education programs including a youth detox service. ReGen base their practice on approaches that have been proven to work.

They argue that change is possible at the individual, family and broader community level, and that we all benefit when it occurs. Sustainable changes occur when people recognise the benefits for themselves, have the appropriate supports in place and believe that such change is possible. No matter how deep of a hole you might be in, you can always build a ladder long enough to get yourself out. ReGen’s Tag Line sums them up. Uncommon sense.

ReGen work within a harm minimisation framework. This is the same framework that underpins all Australian Government AOD policy. Harm minimisation 2

Harm minimisation is not about moral judgements - and neither is this book. It’s about working with people in a respectful way, whether their goal is cutting back, stopping altogether, or minimising the harms associated with their use.

Well, let’s start with why I drink. Like most Australians I drink predominantly for the social aspect. Whether I am at a gig, pub, club or just a friend’s house, I often feel that alcohol boosts my confidence. It makes me feel less nervous and helps me engage with the group. Also, since writing this I have started to notice the social pressure to drink, both from my social group and society more generally. Every social function seems to involve drinking alcohol - birthdays, work functions, weddings and even funerals.

I feel I should point out you don’t need to drink to get these pleasurable effects. I know some people who choose not to drink and they still manage to socialise pretty well. So let’s have a look at the pleasurable and not so pleasurable short and long-term effects of alcohol.

That’s why I drink - mainly and simply to have a good time with my friends, but there are many other reasons why people use alcohol.

W co hat h unt mos as thery beert individ u Ans brands al wi wer: B ? t h o ver elgium, 4 00 .

When I asked my mates why they like to drink, their answers included: ‘I like the taste’, ‘to relax’, ‘to fit in’, ‘to get a buzz and to combat boredom’. One guy also said that it helps him feel more confident and he picks up more girls after he has had a drink. Another reason why people drink is to mask emotional issues, particularly social anxiety and depression.

If I’m the only one not drinking (because I’m driving, I don’t want to, or I’m having an Alcohol Free Day etc), I sometimes find it hard to talk to people who are drinking. It gets to a point where I just don’t care how misunderstood they think they are or how intuitive they think their cat is, and I start to get frustrated.

The truth is alcohol has not become one of the world’s most popular drugs because it makes you vomit on your shoes and feel like crap the next day. In moderation (see page 44 for more on risky drinking levels) and at the right time alcohol can potentially have enjoyable effects as well.

As with other drugs, alcohol affects us all a bit differently. I’ll go into some of the reasons for this later but, for starters, it’s worth looking at the different ways it can make us feel and some of the longer-term health and lifestyle impacts. Short term Potential immediate pleasurable effects include: −−Feelings of happiness and wellbeing −−Feelings of relaxation and relief from stress −−Increased confidence −−Decreased inhibitions - not caring as much about things you usually worry about like how you look or what you say to people These effects can be mild, especially if you drink only a small amount of alcohol. However, when people are enjoying these sorts of effects they often continue to drink more, without really thinking about how much they have had, or to try to feel even better. This usually leads to the less desirable effects. 6

These include: −−Slurred speech −−Blurred vision −−Stumbling −−Confusion – You may lose track of where you are or what you’re doing, how much time has passed, or who you’re with. −−Vomiting – If you drink too much alcohol in a short space of time your body may not be able to cope and will try to get rid of the alcohol. The quickest way out is the way it came in. −−Becoming highly emotional – You may feel more aggressive, irritable, affectionate, horny, anxious or depressed. This is a step up from the ‘decreased inhibitions’. −−Memory loss – you may wake up in the morning and not remember much about what happened while you were intoxicated. You might need to check your messages for an update. The messages going to and from the brain are slowed down by alcohol, so your vision and your control over your muscles for important stuff like speaking and walking will be affected. You may lose coordination, become unsteady on your feet and may lose your balance.

People our age don’t often think about the long term effects of alcohol. They shouldn’t be ignored and some of the effects are specific to people who start drinking in their adolescence.

General Body −− weight gain −− headaches −− muscle weakness

Gastrointestinal system −− stomach lining inflamed & irritated −− ulcers of the stomach or duodenum

Central Nervous System

−− inflammation or varicose veins of the oesophagus

(brain & spinal cord) −− impaired senses - vision, hearing, dulled smell & taste, decreased pain perception

−− loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting −− cancer

−− altered sense of time & space −− impaired motor skills, slow reaction −− impaired judgement, confusion

Pancreas

−− hallucinations

−− inflamation, bleeding

−− fits, blackouts −− tingling & loss of sensation in hands & feet

Intestines

−− early onset dementia (alcohol related brain damage)

−− irritation of the lining

−− depression, anxiety, psychosis

−− cancer of intestines & colon

−− inflammation & ulcers

−− mood & personality changes Reproductive system Circulatory System

(Male & female)

−− high blood pressure

−− reduced fertility

−− irregular heart beat

−− impaired sexual performance

−− damage to the heart muscle

−− impotence

−− increased risk of heart attack & stroke

−− decreased sperm count & movement −− increased risk of breast cancer in females −− early onset of menopause −− irregular menstrual cycle

Liver −− swelling & inflammation −− cirrhosis (scarring)

Pregnancy & Babies

−− cancer

−− foetal alcohol syndrome/foetal alcohol effects - small head, possible brain damage, impaired growth & development

−− liver failure, coma & death 8

Long term effects for adolescents Alcohol is a neurotoxin, which means it can damage the brain, as well as other body organs such as the liver or kidneys. As an adolescent your brain is not fully developed. In fact some parts of your brain, such as the frontal lobe in males, won’t be fully developed until you hit your mid-to-late twenties. Research has shown that people who drank heavily during their teenage years had smaller prefrontal cortices and hippocampuses than people who did not drink during these years.

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These are areas of the brain that are responsible for motivation and impulse control.

Tolerance People who drink heavily can develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning their body gets used to functioning with alcohol on board and they need to drink more (or drink a higher volume alcohol) to experience the same effect. In other words to get to the feeling they are after, they need to spend more money, consume more calories and subject their body to more alcohol.

Some people make the mistake of thinking that tolerance is a sign of the body’s resistance to the negative effects of alcohol.

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harder to become intoxicated. It means you need to be more intoxicated before you start to notice. It might help impress your mates with how much you can put away, but developing tolerance to alcohol is where the potential harms to your health, relationships and other parts of your life really start piling up. Developing tolerance generally leads to more drinking. Drinking at a higher level means your tolerance continues to grow, which leads to even more drinking. See what’s happening here? If this cycle continues, you could eventually get to the stage of being dependent on alcohol. When this happens, your body is so used to alcohol being present that you start feeling sick when it is not.

ve!’

assi m s i e

Adolescent sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol is complicated, because the adolescent brain is different to the adult brain (you knew that though).

Tolerance in adolescents – why we’re different Many young drinkers are able to consume larger amounts of alcohol than adults before experiencing the immediate negative effects, such as drowsiness, lack of coordination and hangovers. At the same time, we appear to be particularly receptive to the ‘pleasurable’ effects of drinking, such as confidence in social situations. As adolescents may feel more of the positive and less of the negative effects than adults, it’s not hard to see why there are such high rates of binge drinking among young adults. Apologies for repeating myself here but just because you may not be not feeling the consequences as much doesn’t mean the alcohol is not doing damage. (See Tolerance on page 11.) In the adolescent brain, the area responsible for impulse control and rational decision making is not fully developed. This may lead to some YouTube videos that range from hilarious to dangerously stupid. It also means we are more likely to make poor decisions around alcohol use and risk taking. Once you’ve already started drinking, your decision-making doesn’t tend to improve, so you need to plan early. Basically, young people can be more sensitive to the potentially damaging effects of alcohol on the brain, whilst being less sensitive to the signs that usually help adults to control alcohol intake.

Dependence Most people I know who drink don’t do it every day. They might go hard at weekends (the famous ‘binge drinking’), but are pretty straight during the week. There can be some pretty serious problems with this approach, but one of the greatest risks is that as your tolerance grows you start drinking more regularly, not just at weekends. Like I was saying earlier, once you start having alcohol present in your system a lot of the time, your body starts to adapt and this becomes your ‘normal’ state. If you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms (like cravings, shakes or unable to relax) when you’re not drinking, you might have developed dependence on alcohol. When a person is alcohol dependent they may feel a strong desire to drink, and drinking may become a priority over important commitments. Those who have severe alcohol dependence will drink regularly at high-risk levels and will find it hard to limit how much they drink. People who drink alcohol as a way of coping with mental health conditions (such as depression and anxiety) are often at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. An important thing to remember: If the reason you drink is so that you can forget about something that is an ongoing source of stress for you, chances are you’ll be more likely to experience some serious harms. People often say ‘drinking might make your problems go away for a little while, but they’ll still be there when you sober up’.

Alright, enough of the 4 doom and gloom health warnings. It’s good to keep in mind that those who drink within the recommended guidelines are generally at low risk for alcohol dependence and other long-term harms. More on the guidelines (pages 43-45).

It’s time to embarrass my little brother.

ound Aged ayr brother eight mshow wheren saw akids slid dowa two e stairs in som tic boat... plas

...It looked like fun so he sat on his playschool bean bag, looked around to make sure my mum wasn’t watching and went for it. According to the doctor the majority of the damage (including the scar on his chin) was caused when he hit our dining table. He also had bruises on his back because the bean bag stopped on the second step and he just rolled down without it. It was a pretty epic fail. I know he was young and can understand him not realising he may just slip off the front of the bean bag, but the table was literally directly in front of him. Surely somewhere, deep in his hippocampus (remember that bit, the centre for impulse control?), there was an alarm going off... surely? 16

Humans are naturally curious. It would be easy to just say he shouldn’t have attempted the stunt, but that continually seeking new and exciting experiences is a part of life. We will try new things and some of those things will not go as well as we hoped. The important thing is to think about what might go wrong so you can attempt to reduce or prevent these possible harms. For example if you’re heading to a busy place, make sure your phone has plenty of battery in case you get separated from your mates.

Drinking to excess Pretty obviously, when drinking alcohol, the more you consume the higher the level of risk to you (and those around you). Whether you are heading out with the aim to get as drunk as possible, or you just push it too far in an attempt to keep the fun going, drinking to excess increases the chances of: −−Nausea, vomiting, headaches (and a hangover) −−Losing valuable possessions (such as mobile phone or wallet) −−Embarrassing yourself in front of lots of people (who haven’t lost their phones) −−Becoming over-emotional or aggressive with strangers, or even friends and family

−−Slow and laboured breathing (more than 10 seconds between breaths is life-threatening) −−Skin is turning a blue or purplish colour (not enough oxygen). An overdose on alcohol (sometimes called alcohol poisoning) is serious and can cause long-term injury or death. If someone is demonstrating these symptoms call a doctor or ambulance on 000. The police won’t attend unless there is a non-medical risk to the person, a bystander or the paramedics themselves. Don’t just let them sleep it off. Keeping out of trouble Keep watch for signs of alcohol overdose when looking after someone who has drunk too much.

−−Doing things with people you might seriously regret later (you know what I’m talking about) −−Being assaulted (it’s a bit harder to talk yourself out of a situation when you’re slurring your speech) If you are looking after a friend who is well past the point of having a good time, keep an eye out for the following signs of alcohol overdose: −−Unable to stand up or control their bodily movements, such as swaying or leaning over −−Cold, clammy skin −−Not responding to being talked to, shouted at, pinched, shaken or poked (be careful when doing these things to a person who is drunk/intoxicated as you never know how they will react) −−Severe vomiting (not just once or twice), or vomiting while passed out and not waking up after vomiting

Too late?

Don’t panic. If someone is demonstrating these symptoms, call an ambulance. The operator will talk you through important things like checking their vital signs and how to keep them safe until the paramedics arrive. And remember, the Ambos aren’t there to give you a lecture or call your Mum. They’re only interested in keeping your friend alive.

So this brings me to the first of my three big mistakes while drinking.

−−A rapid pulse rate

Backseat blunder This story took place towards the end of year 9 at Aimee’s birthday. Obviously none of us were old enough to get in to any bars, but at this stage most of us wanted to drink. This meant that, like most parties then, Aimee’s party was a house party. Her mum had put out a couple of bowls of chips, soft drinks, a few balloons and had agreed to go out, so left us only with the issue of getting alcohol. Andy looked at least 30 which meant the only time he got attention from the girls in our year, was when we sent him to the bottle shop (if you’re reading this ‘Sasquatch’, I’m sorry). That night he bought me some berry flavoured mixed drinks and a really cheap bottle of vodka. When the party started I shared my berry drinks around, leaving myself only one out of the pack. Not really concerned I cracked the bottle of vodka. Using orange juice as a mixer I drank way too fast, getting messy very quickly. I stumbled around for a bit, singing, dancing and generally just annoying

people. They didn’t have to tolerate ‘Party Bella’ for long though. Soon I could hardly stand up, eventually falling over the arm of a couch, and passing out with my dress over head... classy. A few friends quickly ‘looked after me’ carrying me into Aimee’s bedroom and laying me on the bed. The room was spinning. My memories of that night are hazy now, but I was left in there for what felt like hours. Next thing I remember was a guy who I didn’t really know reaching over me and grabbing my phone. It took me a while to realise what he was doing, I yelled at him to stop but next thing I knew I was being loaded in to my parent’s station wagon. I remember everyone came out the front pretending to help but really just being nosey. I made eye contact with my dad as I lay across the backseat and succumbed to tears. I was so embarrassed. The night got worse for me however as the movement of going around the first corner was enough to start the vomiting. Even though it was ages ago, on hot days, the station wagon still smells a little like rotting oranges.

My Party Tips: You should supply more than just a couple of bowls of chips whenever people are drinking alcohol. (see page 35). Obviously whenever underage people are drinking there are legal considerations (see page 47). I know it sounds like a much better option to have the house to yourselves and have your parents out but if something does occur it’s always good to have a responsible adult nearby/with you at the party. If your friend is in a bad way, stay with them, and monitor the situation. If in doubt call an ambulance. Don’t worry about the police coming too and everyone getting busted. The ambos will only call the police if they feel like they need some protection from other people at the party. It’s not a bad idea to have an emergency contact in your phone under I.C.E (In Case of Emergency). 20

The drink, the individual and

vs Situation 2:

the environment

Who: Same 17 year old, having just broken up with her douchebag ex (totally hypothetical, of course)

When someone drinks alcohol, their experience is shaped by a number of factors. The following questions can help you look at these factors to consider what their experience is likely to be and identify any potential risks. Who’s drinking? The person’s age, personality, body type, gender, emotional state, expectations, when they last drank, experience... What they’re drinking? (taking) Its strength, how much they have drunk and over what time, have they taken anything else... Where are they? Location, time, with friends or alone, cultural factors and laws... When did they last drink? Last night? This morning? Last week? Ten minutes ago? This can have an impact on what effect and how quickly the alcohol will effect someone. So... now for an over-the-top example; Situation 1: Who: A level headed 17 year old girl

What: $12 student jugs and occasional free shot Where: Some bar that stinks like vomit and has plastic cups but owner doesn’t ID girls. Okay, obviously situation two is a disaster waiting to happen but often the difference between a good and bad experience is not always that extreme. It might be something as simple as avoiding rounds, or drinking non-alcoholic drinks so you don’t have to drink as fast as the pace-setter (who’s twice your size), or asking the bar not to serve shots at your party/function. The point is that you can be in control of each situation by monitoring and controlling the factors involved. Keeping out of trouble Next time you’re planning a drink think about the ‘who-what-where’ and think if you need to change a factor. Being aware of your friends’ factors might help you help them avoid a bad experience.

What: Having a glass of wine Where: Friday night family dinner at home.

To o

If th late? ug ings an inly, it’s p are alr stop terven robab eady t enviro drinki tion. A ly time urning if yo nment ng, ge s abo for u ne and t to ve, ed it cal a s . for afe help 22

Little Fact: In Scotland it is illegal to be drunk in possession of a cow.

Risky mix I have tried pretty hard not to preach in this book. After all, I drink and have made some shocking drunken judgement calls in the past. That said, we all know there are certain things we should all avoid when we are drunk, such as driving, operating heavy machinery, our friend’s cute brother/sister and questionable food in the fridge. But the list doesn’t stop there. Here are a few things alcohol doesn’t mix well with: Energy drinks A couple of months ago, I was out at a friend’s gig in St. Kilda. One of the girls announced she was ‘up for a big one’, and despite our advice started drinking vodka and Redbull early on. I kept an eye on her expecting the worst but to my surprise she looked like she was having a ball, dancing, laughing and showed no signs of slowing up. However when we got back to our place, it seemed to instantly catch up with her. She sprinted into the bathroom and there she stayed. It was nasty. When I spoke to ReGen about mixing alcohol with energy drinks and what the research says, I understood a bit better what went on that night. Because caffeine is a stimulant (that speeds you up), the effects of the energy drink can mask the depressant effects of the alcohol (which slows you down). So because she had no obvious signs of her level of intoxication she continued to drink far beyond the amount she normally does. The result being a well hugged toilet. So it seems that, in spite of everything I’ve heard to the contrary, energy drinks don’t actually ‘cancel out’ alcohol. They just mask its effects so you’re not aware of how drunk you really are. Really, they’re a bit like ‘tolerance in a can’. See what I had to say earlier about that on page 11.

It’s not just illegal drugs you should avoid mixing with alcohol. Drinking alcohol with painkillers, such as aspirin, codeine and paracetamol, can cause stomach irritation and discomfort. People taking medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, analgesics, sleeping pills/sedatives (and others) are advised not to drink alcohol because of the risks (from making the medication ineffective to causing death). Moving on. Keeping out of trouble Once you start adding other substances to the mix, things automatically get more complicated and less predictable. Be careful.

Too late?

Other drugs Taking other drugs together with alcohol is really not a good idea. This can cause the effects of each drug to be magnified and/or throw your system into a confused state. Drinking alcohol with other depressant drugs, like cannabis, inhalants, GHB or benzodiazepines and other sedatives, greatly increases the possible risk of overdosing as both the drugs will slow down the central nervous system. Getting very serious for a moment, most people who die from drug overdoses have more than one drug in their system, and alcohol is usually part of the mix. As with energy drinks, mixing alcohol with stimulants (such as caffeine, ecstasy or amphetamines) places the body, particularly the heart, under intense pressure, usually increasing heart-rate and blood pressure. Also this mix can make you more dehydrated and in turn the hangover more extreme.

If you feel like the situation is getting out of your control, call for medical help. The risk of serious (and permanent) health complications is just too great. Physical activity For me the last thing I feel like doing after a drink is exercise, but whether it be a kick of the football at a Sunday barbecue or an ill-advised nudie run*, physical activity is another thing that does not mix well with alcohol. You may feel stronger and faster than normal but studies have shown that drinking alcohol is detrimental to sporting performance. Impaired reaction time, hand-eye coordination and loss of balance all increase the chances of hurting yourself, made worse by the fact alcohol can affect the body’s 26

ability to repair itself from any injury obtained. Avoid late night bin hurdling and stay away from balconies or anything else you wouldn’t want to fall off.

take risks. It’s these effects that also place you at risk of falls and accidents with other vehicles when riding or walking home while intoxicated.

It’s also worth remembering that alcohol is a diuretic (makes you pee a lot), so it can contribute to dehydration. Not exactly great preparation for that ironman you were planning.

If you have had a drink, catch a cab or even better, plan ahead and have a designated driver who you can trust to keep themselves in a fit state.

* Note: if this applies to you best know there can be ramifications for public nudity, potentially getting you in trouble with the law or, like my friend Jess, you run the risk of tumble and grazes where you really don’t want them. Not to mention camera phones/ pics on Facebook... you have been warned. Stress Many people claim that drinking alcohol relieves stress and helps them to forget their worries. It may feel as if it helps in the short term, but over time, regular drinking often becomes a factor in making your existing stress even worse as you start racking up other problems because of it. Pre-existing medical conditions Alcohol has the potential to be harmful for the healthiest of people, but for people with some medical conditions, drinking can be even more damaging. When you’re sick your body is battling to get you better again, so consuming a toxin like alcohol can interact with any medication you’re taking or simply give your body too much to do. This is a serious one, so make sure you talk to your doctor if you’re getting any new medication or have any health concerns. Driving, riding or walking home intoxicated We all know if you drive when drunk you’re a ‘bloody idiot’. After all, alcohol affects your judgement, concentration and reaction time, while increasing your confidence and willingness to

Unfortunately, there are attitudes that still need to change, as the road toll is often due to a dangerous combination of speeding, drug and alcohol use, risktaking and inexperience. It’s easy enough to remember this stuff when you’re sober, but once you’re intoxicated your priority order often gets messed up and all of a sudden a kebab can be more important than your safety or even your life. Body of water As with any other potentially dangerous environment, the effects of intoxication increase the risks if you’re near water. Most adult drowning in Australia involves alcohol. If you’ve been drinking, keep out of boats and try to avoid going for a swim. You can become over-confident and take greater risks. The effects of alcohol can cause you to tire more easily while swimming and if you get into trouble in the water, you are more likely to vomit and may inhale your stomach contents into your lungs. Also, the potential for harm can be increased if you drink alcohol in certain locations or extreme weather conditions. Alcohol affects the body’s thermostat, as well as the drinker’s perception of heat. Someone who has been drinking can feel quite warm when in fact their body temperature is dropping sharply.

Ollie

Little Fact: The East African elephant seeks out and eats fermenting mangoes. This fermentation causes them to get intoxicated, in turn to act odd and to have sex with an elephant they previously saw just as a friend.

Ollie was a guy I started dating around a month before schoolies. Due to the fact we had only just started dating our plans for schoolies had him going up to Queensland while I was just heading down to the Great Ocean Road. I made him promise he would not hook up with anyone on the trip and he seemed pretty comfortable with a sexless schoolies. With a kiss goodbye, that was the last time we were together. I was staying at a mate’s place in Lorne. Within our group of around ten was Jon my ex. Jon was the only person other than Ollie I had been with but I hated him. He cheated on me and I was really affected by it. Night one, we stayed in and played drinking games that saw a fair few shots taken and dares accomplished. Though some of the dares were a bit embarrassing it wasn’t until night two that I did something I regret. I still have no real idea why I did it but, drunk, I ended up with Jon. You probably picked it but I really didn’t see it coming. Mum if you’re reading this you’ll be happy to know he wore a condom. The next morning, I was hit with the worst guilt I have ever felt. I didn’t even consider keeping it from Ollie. Everyone had seen Jon and I sneak off so I had to fess up. In tears I called Ollie and we broke up. The rest of my schoolies was tainted by the event. Jon ended up with two other girls on the trip and I felt pretty down. I was so angry at myself. Even after all the pain I felt when Jon cheated on me, I did the exact same thing to someone else. Ollie forgave me but we never got back together and I never really forgave myself. I promised myself I would not be that person again, and to this day I haven’t.

Sex while intoxicated Poor judgement Apart from me, many other people have had sex when drinking and regretted it (for all sorts of reasons) when they sobered up. It could be unsafe, unwanted or just a bad idea. You could find yourself losing friendships, contracting a sexual disease, physically hurt or, if you did not obtain consent, in serious trouble with the law. Poor performance Decreased co-ordination, slower reactions, decreased aerobic ability and poor mental awareness and yet I have heard people say alcohol makes them better in bed! Not sure if this is further proof alcohol also impedes your judgement or an alarming indication of their abilities when sober.

Consent means 'free agreement'. Even if you don't say 'no', this doesn't mean you agree or consent to sex. You can't consent to sex if you are intoxicated. It is not free agreement if someone has sex with you while you are asleep, unconscious, or too drunk to understand what is happening. The law states that having sex with someone without their consent is rape or sexual assault, which is a serious offence. If you are so drunk that you don't know if the other person is consenting, stop what you are doing. It could be rape. Unsafe Sex First thing, even if you are not planning to have sex, it may be a good idea to carry condoms. You might find yourself carried away by ‘the heat of the moment’, be able to supply a friend in need, or attending a party short on balloons.

Also there is the potential issue of intoxicated guys not being able to get or maintain an erection. Unwanted sex There is no excuse for unwanted sexual attention, period. Any sexual touching without your agreement (consent) is sexual assault, and a crime. It's also a crime to give someone a drug in order to have sex with them without their consent (this includes alcohol - see ‘drink spiking’).

This isn’t the 'little book on safe sex', but I do feel obligated to state the obvious here...If you have unprotected sex (and that includes oral sex) you may be at risk of sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, Herpes, or HIV and (stating the really obvious here) women also run the risk of getting pregnant.

Stuff to look out for & avoid Drink spiking Drink spiking is illegal. Sadly it’s a growing concern world wide and is something you need to be switched on to. In spite of all the media attention on ‘date rape’ drugs like rohypnol, the most commonly used substance in ‘drinkspiking’ is alcohol itself. The ‘spiking’ is commonly done by giving people a double shot of alcohol instead of singles, or putting alcohol into non-alcoholic drinks. In addition to sexual assault, drink spiking is often associated with other crimes, such as theft. They might not be after your body, or plan to kidnap you for your family’s fortune; they may just want your phone and credit cards. Alcohol related violence WARNING FOR MEN: consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, handsomer and smarter than some really, really big guy named ‘Mr Angry’. A friend of mine once got knocked out for being a smart arse to a bouncer. It doesn’t matter what was said, but until he regained consciousness I was seriously freaked out. It took a while to forgive him as he put us in a situation that could have ended very badly and was easily avoided.

happening at your backyard barbecue or local card night, it’s happening in places where you find a large number of people hitting parties, bars and clubs. When you get that many intoxicated people out together, there will always be someone looking for trouble. Alcohol may not necessarily cause someone to become aggressive, but it can inhibit the capacity of a person to control their rage. Best keep an eye out for anyone who looks like they might be trouble and avoid them. In my experience some bars attract more trouble-makers than others so it might be something to think about before heading out. Keeping out of trouble When you’re out drinking, there are lots of potential risks to be aware of. Once you’re intoxicated, you’re less able to keep track of them. Make sure you’re with people you trust to look out for you and have a plan for keeping in touch during the night.

Too late?

If you feel like you or your friends are in immediate danger it’s time to call in the cavalry. If this means getting the police involved, do it.

Unfortunately, it’s not just as simple as, ‘don’t mouth off and you’ll avoid all alcohol related violence’. Sometimes, you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Generally, the wrong time is any time between 9pm and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. This is when the majority of alcohol-related assaults occur. And generally it’s not 32

My tips for looking after myself & others If you or your friends choose to drink, here are some tips to stay safe and reduce possible harms. I created a ‘PISSED’ plan to help me remember the tips.

* PLAN ahead - How much money are you going to spend? How many drinks? How are you getting home? * INTERCHANGE between alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks – for example drink one large glass of water in between alcoholic drinks. * STICK to your limits, this includes checking the labels to see how much you are really drinking. * Watch out for SIGNS you have had too much (or have a spotter do it for you). * EAT food before you head out and while you’re drinking. * DRINK water throughout the night and before you go to bed. Or alternatively ‘PISSED AS’ with the AS standing for Avoid Salty snacks.

In addition to my PISSED plan, it is good to remember what to avoid: −−Drinking alcohol when you are hungry or thirsty −−Getting involved in ‘shouts,’ ‘rounds’, drinking games or trying to keep up with other drinkers −−Drinking large amounts (see guidelines) −−Drinking alcohol with energy drinks, other drugs or prescribed medication −−Leaving your drink unattended, and don’t allow other people to get your drink (it can be 'spiked') −−Drinking too much in extreme weather conditions (it could cause dehydration or hypothermia) −−Drinking with strangers or with people you don’t trust or who may become aggressive −−Drunk dial (you can’t un-send those texts and the rambling/tearful/ threatening voicemail messages could come back to haunt you) −−Driving or getting into a car with someone that has been drinking. Also, don’t drink alcohol if you are: −−Pregnant or planning to get pregnant −−Emotional/ feeling low (your mood could get worse) −−Planning on doing any risky activities like swimming, boating or tightrope walking.

‘Spare me your legal mumbo jumbo!’ Well, ok, but there are some important things we all need to know. Here’s some important information that can help keep you out of trouble and keep the rest of us safe.

A BAC of .05 means that there are 0.05 grams of pure alcohol in every 100mls of blood in the person’s body.

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) BAC can be a little confusing, but I think it’s important to know exactly what it is, so bear with me. Realistically no matter how you feel, if you are found to be driving over the permitted BAC (more on this later) you will be in trouble. Your BAC is a measurement of the amount of alcohol present in your blood, and an indicator of your degree of impairment to safely perform tasks such as driving a car. This can be gauged by professional devices like police breathalysers, but there are other ways you can monitor your consumption and keep your BAC low. Your BAC increases when the body takes alcohol in faster than the liver can get rid of it. Even after a small amount of alcohol, your BAC can continue to go up (sometimes as much as three hours after your last drink). The body can only get rid of about one standard drink per hour (there’s information on standard drinks later). Having several standard drinks in an hour will increase your BAC much more than having one drink over a period of an hour or more. The alcohol builds up in your system. If you have had two standard drinks in one hour, then you would need to not drink for the next two hours (at least!) to be likely to have a BAC of zero. It’s important to note there are other variables than just the number of drinks and time elapsed that effect your BAC. Even if you drink a set amount on two separate occasions, you might get different blood alcohol concentration readings, or two different people can have very different BAC levels after drinking the same amount. Refer to my earlier section on the drink, the environment etc for more info.

Drink driving Throughout Australia, full license holders must maintain a BAC of less than .05. By law, some drivers must maintain a zero BAC (that is, not drink any alcohol). This includes learner licence holders (L-platers) and probationary drivers (P-platers), as well as motorcyclists in their first year of riding. In most states of Australia, drivers of heavy trucks, buses, trains and trams must also have a zero BAC. It is important to keep in mind that because of the time it takes the liver to break down each drink consumed, people can still have alcohol in their blood the day after a heavy drinking session and may still be over the legal limit to drive. As a rule of thumb, a number of agencies including the TAC recommend in order to stay below a BAC of .05, fully licensed drivers are advised to limit their drinking to: −−Men: no more than two standard drinks in the first hour and no more than one standard drink every hour after that

But remember, individual variations can occur that can change the rates of BAC increase and decrease. The only way you can be completely sure you are not over the limit is to not drink. If you are going to drink, make sure you read the label so you know how many standard drinks it contains and the percentage of alcohol. Drink driving penalties Penalties for drink-driving offences include fines, demerit points, suspension from driving for a specified period, and in extreme cases, imprisonment. In Victoria, a BAC reading of 0.15 or higher results in on the spot suspension of the driver’s licence until the case is heard in court. In order to have their license restored, most drivers convicted of drink-driving offences are required to do certain things such as drink-driver education courses (ReGen is a lead provider of ‘Drink Drive’). So they face this hassle and cost in addition to the inconvenience of not being able to use their car. In some cases, drivers must ensure that they have a zero BAC while driving for the next three years.

−−Women: no more than one standard an hour

Probability of crashing

25 times

7.5 times 2 times 0

0.05

0.10

0.15

BAC

Bloody Idiot Okay so I am giving away the story here a bit with the title. I got into a car with a driver who had been drinking. I had just turned 18 and a bunch of us went to Geelong to see a band called ‘The Liberty Club’. Our designated driver was Mark, as he was 22 and had a full licence. Throughout the night I saw him drink a fair bit but didn’t say anything. When it came time to leave he was not ‘fall over drunk’, but deep down I knew he would be comfortably over .05. I convinced myself he was fine, mainly as I didn’t want to catch the train, and got in the car. I couldn’t have been that concerned as I fell asleep five minutes into our trip. We arrived home safe around 3am and went to bed thinking it had been a great night. The next morning I had a small thought about how stupid I’d been but it didn’t really hit home ‘til a good year later when I got a call at 2am from Andy, who had just started dating Mark. He had been involved in a fatal crash. He and Andy only had cuts and bruises but the passenger of the other car had died at the scene. Apparently he nipped around a van at an intersection and t-boned a taxi turning right. He blew 0.12 and was facing some serious charges. I often think about how lucky I was.

Standard Drinks (SD) and

Little Fact: It is estimated that there are 49,000,000 (that's forty-nine million) bubbles in a bottle of champagne.

safer drinking levels for adults This is an approximation as the alcohol strength varies within a drinks category. It’s always best to check the labels.

No matter what your age there is no level of drinking alcohol that can be guaranteed to be completely ‘safe’ or ‘no risk’. The NHMRC Australian Alcohol Guidelines describe low risk levels of the consumption of alcohol by various groups.

Source: www.nhmrc.gov.au

Little Fact: Oktoberfest falls predominantly in September, with often only a few days of the 16 day festival falling in October.

Adolescents So the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) guidelines suggest that young people aged 1517 years restrict their consumption to a safe level (one or two drinks on the rare occasion) and recommend that not drinking is actually the safest option for anyone under 18 years. While following government guidelines and recommendations is a good idea, it is very important to know your individual limits and monitor your own drinking as well. Over 18 The levels define the number of standard drinks that can be drunk before the threat to a person's health and social well-being moves up into the 'risky' or 'high risk' category. For children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, the guidelines recommend that not drinking is the safest option. The guidelines for healthy adults over the legal drinking age of 18 years are: −−For healthy adult men and women, drinking (on average) no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces their risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime (this means long-term harms).

−−Drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury or harm arising from that occasion (immediate or short term harms). For the girls Females have to take a few things into account when drinking. Compared to males our bodies generally have less water, more fatty tissue, and lower levels of enzymes that digest alcohol in the stomach. This ultimately means even if a girl is the same weight and height as a guy, she is likely to be more affected by the same amount of alcohol. A female’s reaction to alcohol can also vary depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. She is likely to get drunk quicker just before her period. Being on the pill can increase the speed you get drunk. With the liver working hard to metabolise the hormones in the pill, it has less ability to metabolise the alcohol you’re drinking so your BAC will increase quicker. This tends to be more obvious just prior to menstruation.

Pregnancy So what’s a safe amount of alcohol to be consumed when pregnant? Truth is, no one really knows if there is a safe amount, but No alcohol is the best and safest choice and is what is recommended by the Australian National Guidelines.

For the guys As a male, alcohol will probably affect you slower than your female friends and with this comes a responsibility. If you’re drinking with a group and you start to notice a friend may have pushed it to far, look after them.

What we do know is that foetuses are at high risk of being affected by alcohol in the early weeks of development, particularly in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. This is important to know as you may not realise that you’re pregnant until the ‘oh crap I’m late’ moment several weeks into the pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol easily passes to the foetus. This can affect development, causing a range of birth defects that are grouped under the term Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

There are a number of factors that determine someone’s tolerance to alcohol. Even if your mate is the same size or bigger than you, don’t pressure them to match you drink for drink. Make it your aim that everyone has a good time; this rarely happens when people start shouting rounds.

Mothers are also advised not to drink while breastfeeding, as alcohol both reduces the milk supply and passes to the baby.

Also it’s good to know alcohol does not decrease the effect of the birth control pill. That said I struggle to remember to take it at the best of times, so a drink or a hangover doesn’t help and there is always the chance of vomiting it up. 44

Legal matters Drinking in public places Particularly towards the end of high school and at college, I often found myself drinking in the sun at a BBQ at the park. I didn’t even think of the potential legal consequences but here are the facts: If you’re under 18, it is against the law to be found in possession of, or be drinking alcohol in public places. If you are over 18, it’s important to check with the local councils as it’s often illegal to drink alcohol in some public places, such as beaches, parks and streets. Police and local council fines are expensive. If you’re like me you may have to work for hours at a crappy waiting job, or even worse be in debt to your parents. Public drunkenness If the police think you are drunk in a public place they may arrest you and place you in custody. The reason they do this is safety (mainly yours). That said you can also be charged, particularly when the police think your behaviour is intended to disturb (even if no one is actually disturbed by it). Police can issue on-the-spot fines or a summons to appear in court.

Just a really quick note here, the police are ultimately there to look after you. It sounds obvious but don’t be a dick towards them. If you give them no reason to arrest or charge you they won’t. It’s that simple, yet after a couple of drinks there is always that one person who thinks mouthing off or being aggressive is a good idea - don’t be that idiot. 46

Alcohol-related violence in public places In some areas police now have the power to ban ‘troublemakers’ from some places where alcohol-related violence has happened before. People can only be banned from areas that have been identified as a trouble spot or ‘designated area’. You can be banned for up to 24 hours if police suspect you have committed an offence such as violent or disorderly behaviour, or destruction of property. If you are found guilty of committing one of the listed offences within a designated area, the court can order

you to stay away from that area for up to 12 months. Police also have the power to close down licensed venues for some time if incidents occur inside or outside the venue. Purchase, supply and consumption if you’re Under 18? Each state and territory has separate laws regarding the selling, buying and consumption of alcohol for under 18’s. I found the easiest and most reliable way to access this info is via the police for each state. For example this is what I discovered for my home state of Victoria: If you are under 18 it is illegal for you to buy or be supplied with alcohol, unless: −−It is bought for you to have with your meal by either your partner, who is over 18, or by your parent or guardian −−It is supplied to you in a private home. If you’re under 18 it is also illegal for you to be found entering or remaining on premises that sell alcohol. You are only permitted to be in licensed premises if you are: −−Attending an approved underage function −−Accompanied by a responsible adult who is over 18 years −−Living at the licensed premises −−Engaging in a training program in hospitality or training for the purposes of employment or work experience −−Unaccompanied, in a licensed restaurant during ordinary trading hours (7am to 11pm). You should also be aware that if you are under 18, you cannot sell alcohol through a check-out in a licensed supermarket. However, you can assist in the delivery of packaged liquor to a person over 18 years of age for consumption off the licensed premises. For example, you can carry a slab of beer to a customer's car. 47

How do I know if my alcohol use is becoming a problem? It’s not always straight-forward to identify if alcohol is becoming a problem. Like with most things, it is often easier to recognise the signs of a potential issue in others than in ourselves. If you think that you may have a problem with alcohol, you could try asking a close and reliable friend if they share your concern. If you want to do it anonymously you could call a service like Directline (1800 888 236). Here are some signs to watch out for. −−If you’re struggling to go to parties or social events without drinking −−If you never seem to be able to stop at just one or two drinks

−−You start getting drunk a lot and doing stupid things −−You suffer memory loss after big nights out (blackouts) −−Drinking alcohol has got you into trouble with police −−If you try to cut down and find that it’s not that easy. You may be having withdrawals (shaking, nausea, anxiety, cravings and so on) −−If you’re drinking when you are alone, or hiding your alcohol use −−If you find yourself drinking more to feel the same effects −−When you’re not drinking you feel cravings for alcohol (physical and psychological).

−−If you don’t have AFD’s (Alcohol Free Days) −−If all your money goes to buying alcohol −−Alcohol starts to cause family/ relationship/ friendship problems

What are my options? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for help, many people choose to check out some of the reliable websites. The great thing about websites is that you can do this on your own if you feel uncomfortable talking to others first. If you do feel like you should chat to someone, best get in touch with a trusted adult, GP or a youth-friendly support agency (see resources section on page 55). Stay informed and stay in touch with other people. Remember, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better to deal with it now, before it becomes a full blown problem and everything else in your life starts to spiral out of control. If you are experiencing more than a couple of these signs or some of the ones near the bottom of the list, then your options include seeking medical and counselling support, home-based or residential withdrawal (detox) or rehabilitation (rehab), either residential or community-based.

Support and service options There are many agencies that provide a range of programs, including outreach, drop-in, treatment, withdrawal, rehabilitation and support. You can check out websites, make an appointment, or just drop in, find out the services they offer and choose one that is right for you. Maybe you want a medical or mental health check up, or you might be interested in some individual or family counselling, or group programs. There are also anonymous online and telephone support services. These services have trained counsellors who can assist you or refer you to appropriate treatment and support. Many agencies now offer alternative therapies, life skills programs and access to workers who can support you with accommodation and legal matters. Treatment services offered within these programs include: Comprehensive assessment This is usually the first step for anyone wanting to access alcohol treatment. This isn’t scary, it’s just a chat with a clinician so they can gather a thorough history of the presenting issue. They then use this as a base to work with you to determine a treatment plan and agree on the next steps. The clinician will usually want to know things like your drinking habits, as well as how alcohol is impacting on your life and health. Depending on the agency, this may be done over the phone or face to face.

Medical assessment and review Sometimes people seeking treatment for alcohol use might need to be reviewed by a GP or other medical specialist. This may be applicable if there are concerns a person may experience withdrawal symptoms to the extent that medication may need to be prescribed to help manage them. This may also be an option if your alcohol consumption has caused health problems which might need to be checked out. All people accessing withdrawal services (‘detox’) will see a GP.

Case management Case management comes in a variety of forms. It’s not a common model of care in the alcohol and other drug sector, but may be provided by some agencies for people who have more complex issues and need to access a number of different services, such as mental health services, housing, income support, as well as alcohol and other drug treatment. Case management usually involves having a case manager or key worker assigned, whose role is to facilitate and coordinate access to other services.

Individual counselling As the name implies, individual counselling involves meeting regularly one-on-one with a counsellor, who may be a social worker, youth worker, nurse or psychologist with some training and experience in counselling. The purpose of counselling is usually to help someone to better manage their emotions and/or change unwanted or difficult behaviour.

Group programs Group programs take many forms. Mainly they vary in terms of how therapeutic or educational their focus tends to be. Purely educational groups focus solely on content, and aim to increase the participants’ knowledge of a certain issue by providing information. Purely therapeutic groups will focus very much on the process, that is, what people say in the group and how they relate to each other and the facilitator, with the aim of increasing participants’ knowledge of themselves. Most group programs offered by alcohol and other drug services utilise a mix of these two approaches.

Parent and family counselling This is a form of counselling that works specifically with families (in all their forms). It is usually provided by people who have trained specifically in family therapy and have specialised experience in working with families. Sometimes working with the whole family can be beneficial in addressing issues, changing dynamics and supporting each family member in the process.

home. Other services may also be provided on an outreach basis, such as home based withdrawal services and some forms of case management. Peer support Peer support is an important part of the services available to people experiencing problems with alcohol. Peers are people who have some experience themselves of struggling with problematic alcohol use, and making and sustaining changes in their behaviour. Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known example of a support group run solely by people who have successfully recovered from their own alcohol problems, and there are many others. Peers may also be employed by or volunteer in some agencies, and may do things like mentor new people, providing information on what participants can expect from treatment, and providing the agency with feedback on the effectiveness of their service. Alternative therapies This includes things like music, art as well as Eastern therapies such as Reiki. Not everyone will benefit from alternative therapy, but often people are pleasantly surprised how much they can get out of it.

Outreach Outreach means that the agency provides a service to the person at a place convenient to them, rather than the person having to attend the agency to access the service. Outreach is quite a common form of service delivery for young people, and workers will often meet their clients at cafes, skate parks, schools or at the young person’s 53

Where to go for more info If you are worried about how your alcohol use may be affecting you or someone you care about, or if you have never used alcohol and simply want to find out more about this substance, there are a number of websites that offer plenty of information. ReGen's is one (www.regen.org.au). Drug Info is another (www.druginfo.adf.org.au) Sites like Drugs Meter (www.drugsmeter.com) can help you work out whether you should reconsider your drinking and provide useful harm reduction tips. Where to get help (Free and confidential services) There are services in every State and Territory that can help with alcohol, drug or mental health or even relationship issues. They are free, will maintain your confidentiality and some are even 24 hours. To find a National Service or one in your State check out the help and support page of the Australian Drug Foundation (www.druginfo.adf.org.au)

ABI (alcohol related brain injury): the brain can become damaged from prolonged dehydration, malnutrition, and changes in heart functioning and blood supply caused by alcohol, or from accidents that have occurred while the person was intoxicated.

Glossary Alco pops are alcoholic beverages that are usually very sweet and colourful and served in small bottles, which are said to target teenagers. Analgesics are drugs that are used to relieve pain. These include aspirin, codeine and paracetamol. Anti-depressants are a class of prescription drugs that help lift a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mood, thereby relieving or minimising the symptoms of depression. Australian Alcohol Guidelines are based on extensive research and aim to improve the health and well being of all Australians by reducing risks of alcohol related injury and disease. Binge-Drinking is drinking more than the recommended level for adults on any single occasion. Central Nervous System refers to the brain, brain stem and spinal cord, which together manage breathing, heart rate and the processing of sensory information. Cerebellum is the part of the brain that is important for coordination and awareness. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. It is very common among teenagers and young adults and is passed on through having unprotected sex with someone who already has the infection. It must be treated because it can cause serious health problems. Dependence is a strong physical or psychological desire to use a drug. When a person is physically dependent on a drug they need more of it to get the effects that they are feeling. If they stop or cut down they will experience withdrawal symptoms.

Depressant is a term used to describe drugs which slow down or depress the central nervous system. Alcohol is a depressant. Others include heroin and other opiates, benzodiazepines, and some antidepressant medications. Depression is a persistent low mood usually associated with a loss of pleasure in activities and disturbance in sleep, appetite and social functioning. Drink-spiking is when alcohol or other drugs are secretly added to a drink, with the aim of sedating someone. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the medical term used to describe a range of physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities that can affect an unborn baby when a pregnant woman consumes any amount of alcohol. Hallucinogen is a term used to describe drugs which distort or scramble activity in the central nervous system, usually producing hallucinations of one kind or another at high enough doses. Hangover is a commonly used term to describe the unpleasant effects caused by an excessive consumption of alcohol. Hangover symptoms include headache, nausea, thirst, sensitivity to noise and light, dizziness, lethargy and depression. Harm Reduction is a philosophy that is about minimising the harm or potential harm caused by alcohol and other drugs supported by the Australian and all state and territory governments. It aims to improve the health, social and economic outcomes for both individuals and the community through a wide range of approaches. Hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for the ability to store and recall information. Intoxication is a commonly used term which has no consistent or

agreed definition. It usually refers to a blood alcohol concentration so elevated that a person cannot function within their normal range of physical and cognitive abilities. Neurotransmitters are chemicals which transfer messages and information from one neuron (brain cell) to another. Polydrug Use is the use of more than one drug at the same time or in a short space of time, or mixing two or more drugs together. Recovery Position is a basic first aid technique, used to prevent an unconscious person from choking. The body being placed face downwards and slightly to the side, supported by bent arm and leg. The airways must be kept open and clear.

Tania P ### Having so much fun ... been bought sooo many drinks! So glad I bailed on dull Nick tonight. Unlike my new friend he’s a tight arse who can’t dance. WHOOOP! OH NO SHE DIDNT!! Like Unlike · 52 minutes ago via mobile ·

This is the facebook post I mentioned on page 1. Mistakes like this only take a second when drunk, but can have lasting consequences. Don't drink & post! B.

Recreational Drug Use refers to using drugs as part of social or leisure activity. RTD's are a ready-to-drink pre-mixed drink containing varying amounts of alcohol and another liquid, usually soft-drink. Sedative is a drug that has a calming, soothing or tranquilizing effect, which is achieved by depressing the central nervous system. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is an infection that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. This contact includes oral, anal and vaginal sex and the shared use of sexual "toys," such as vibrators. Stimulant is a term used to describe drugs which stimulate or increase activity in the central nervous system. These include nicotine, amphetamines, ecstasy and some antidepressants. Tolerance is when a person needs to drink more alcohol to receive the same effect as they used to feel when drinking smaller amounts. 58

Every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is free of error and/or omission at the date of printing. The authors, publishers, and any person involved in the preparation of the Little Book on Alcohol take no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person organisation acting or refraining from the action as result of information contained in this publication. 62

UnitingCare ReGen Formerly UnitingCare Moreland Hall 26 Jessie Street Coburg VIC 3058 T 03 9386 2876 F 03 9383 6705 contact@regen.org.au www.regen.org.au