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Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug. Depressant drugs slow down
the activity of the central nervous system.
What harm can alcohol cause?
The effects of alcohol depend on the amount drunk, the person's
experience with alcohol, their expectations, the mood they
are in, their body weight, size and how good their health
is, whether they've eaten and whether they've taken other
drugs.
Immediate effects
- Feeling relaxed and less inhibited, followed by reduced
concentration, slurred speech and blurred vision.
- Coordination and judgement are affected.
- Aggressive behaviour.
- The effect of combining different drugs is unpredictable.
Mixing alcohol with other drugs can greatly increase the
effects of all the drugs taken.
- The risk of road, boating and work-related accidents is
increased.
Longterm effects
Anyone who regularly drinks a lot of alcohol will probably
experience some physical, emotional or social problems.
- Physical problems include liver damage, heart and blood
disorders, brain damage, stomach inflammation and damage
to reproductive organs.
- Emotional problems can include depression or relationship
and family problems.
- Social problems can include poor work performance, financial
difficulties, and legal problems.
- One unpleasant effect of heavy drinking is a hangover.
Symptoms include headache, ill-temper, nausea, shakiness
and possibly vomiting.
- Alcohol use during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby.
It has been linked with risk of miscarriage, the baby being
born with a low birth-weight, stillbirth, and premature
birth.
Are there safe levels of drinking alcohol?>
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends
the following guidelines for low risk drinking. Women should
have no more than 2 standard drinks per day and men should
have no more than 4 standard drinks per day with at least
two alcohol free days a week.
- A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. For light
beer this is equal to 1 schooner. For full strength beer
this is equal to 1 middy. For wine this is equal to one
small glass which is 100 mls. For spirits it is one nip
or 30 mls.
Where can I get more information?
Talk to your local general practitioner (GP) or contact:
- your local Community Health Centre -
see the Health Services listing in the information pages
at the front of your phone book
- alcohol and drug information and counselling service 1800
422 599
- the Drug Programs Bureau website
- the Australian Drug Foundation website
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
- Youthline Sydney (02) 9951 5522
- Youthline Parramatta (02) 9633 3666
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