Teenage Drinking: Facts and Fiction

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Binge drinking has social and emotional consequences. Alcohol kills more people than all other drugs combined. It leads to increased instances of unsafe sex, unwanted pregnancies and STIs.
Teenage Drinking: Facts and Fiction
WHEN WE THINK OF DRUG ABUSE DRUGS SUCH AS CANNABIS, COCAINE, OR HEROIN USUALLY SPRING TO MIND. BUT THE MOST COMMONLY USED AND ABUSED DRUG AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY IS ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T CONSIDER A DRUG AT ALL:ALCOHOL. YOUTH CULTURE READILY ACCEPTS ALCOHOL AS A MEANS OF ENJOYING A HAPPY LIFESTYLE. BUT HOW DOES BINGE DRINKING REALLY AFFECT INDIVIDUALS PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY? IN THIS PROGRAM WE’LL TAKE AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THIS MAJOR HEALTH ISSUE AND INVESTIGATE THE CONCEPT OF BINGE DRINKING AND WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN IT GETS OUT OF HAND. WE’LL LOOK AT THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL… COMMON REASONS FOR BINGE DRINKING AND ADDICTIONAND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. WE’LL ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE DIRECT AND INDIRECTCONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING AND EXPLORE WAYS OF BEHAVING RESPONSIBLY WHEN DRINKING ALCOHOL. WE’LL ALSO TALK TO EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND EXAMINE SOME CASE STUDIES INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL. EVERYBODY DRINKS. IT’S THE FIRST THING DAD DOES WHEN HE GETS HOME FROM WORK. I DIDN’T THINK TWICE ABOUT DRINKING WITH MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY HANDED ME A BEER. I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRINKING AND BINGE DRINKING. WE’D ALWAYS JUST DRINK UNTIL WE’D HAD TOO MUCH. UNTIL WE WERE SICK. IN MOST SOCIETIES ALCOHOL IS AN ACCEPTED PART OF LIFE. IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT PARENTS WILL SIT DOWN WITH THEIR KIDS AND EXPLAIN THE INS AND OUTS OF BEHAVIOR THEY DON’T WANT THEM PARTAKING IN. QUITE OFTEN PARENTS DON’T REALIZE THAT WHEN THEY DRINK IN FRONT OF YOUNGER PEOPLE THEY’RE ACTUALLY LEADING BY EXAMPLE. IT’S NO WONDER THAT YOUNGER GENERATIONS DON’T SEE ANYTHING NEGATIVE OR DANGEROUS ABOUT CONSUMING ALCOHOL TO EXCESS. BINGE DRINKING IS COMMONLY MISUNDERSTOOD AS A HARMLESS PART OF THE ALCOHOL SOCIAL CULTURE. AND ALCOHOL ISN’T SEEN TO BE AS POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AS OTHER DRUGS. SO WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING? BINGE DRINKING CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS DRINKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OR OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS. THIS IS CHRIS MORLEY, A DRUG AND ALCOHOL YOUTH WORKER FOR THE YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICE IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. IN HIS 15 YEARS WORKING FOR YSAS HE’S SEEN JUST WHAT EXCESSIVE DRINKING CAN DO. BINGE DRINKING IS AN ISSUE THAT GOES ACROSS AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY. TEENAGERS BINGE DRINK, ADULTS BINGE DRINK. IT’S UNFORTUNATELY PART OF AUSTRALIAN CULTURE TO ENGAGE IN DRINKING ALCOHOL AND OFTEN WE GO TO THE EXTENT WHERE WE’LL DRINK LARGE AMOUNTS IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. IN FACT THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST AN AUSTRALIAN ONE. IT’S WORLDWIDE.TEENAGERS IN THE UK AND IN THE U.S. PARTAKE IN BINGE DRINKING IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. I DON’T THINK I’M A BINGE DRINKER. ALL MY FRIENDS KEEP UP. WE ALL DRINK THE SAME AMOUNT – SOME THROW UP, SOME PASS OUT, BUT I CAN HOLD MINE. I GUESS WE DO BINGE DRINK, BUT IT’S ONLY ONE NIGHT A WEEK USUALLY. YOU CAN’T GO TO A PARTY WHERE EVERYONE ELSE IS DRINKING AND NOT HAVE SOME. YOU WANT TO FIT IN. TEENAGERS AND ADULTS IN GENERAL OFTEN FIND BINGE DRINKING ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE OF PEER PRESSURE, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO FIT IN WITH THE GROUP. THEY WANT TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS AND SOMETIMES THEY FEEL THAT TO GET REALLY DRUNK VERY QUICKLY IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PERCEIVED AS COOL. IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE MAY PARTICIPATE IN AS PART OF A GROUP, FEELING THAT’S HOW THEY CAN BELONG. MOST PEOPLE SEE DRINKING AS A HARMLESS WAY TO HAVE FUN WITH FRIENDS. BUT THERE ARE MANY ASSOCIATED RISKS THAT MIGHT NOT BE OBVIOUS AT FIRST. BINGE DRINKING CAN LEAD TO A RANGE OF PROBLEMS… USUALLY AT THE TIME WHEN SOMEONE’S VERY INTOXICATED. IT CAN LEAD TO A LACK OF INHIBITION WHERE SOMEONE MIGHT MAKE DECISIONS THEY WOULDN’T NORMALLY MAKE. IT CAN LEAD TO FIGHTS THAT ARE CAUSED BY SOMEONE BEING VERY INTOXICATED. PEOPLE CAN HOP INTO CARS WITH PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE HAD A DRINK. THEY MAY DECIDE TO DRIVE THEMSELVES. SO THEY WON’T MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS. I REALLY TRIED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I WAS DOING. I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS DANGEROUS. I THOUGHT I COULD HANDLE MYSELF. BINGE DRINKING IS DRINKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IS A WORLDWIDE ISSUE. PEOPLE GENERALLY BINGE DRINK BECAUSE OF PEER PRESSURE OR A DESIRE TO FIT IN OR BE COOL.BUT IT CAN LEAD TO A RANGE OF PROBLEMSWITH DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES. SO WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU’RE DRINKING? LET’S TAKE A LOOK. FIRST, ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IS RETAINED IN THE STOMACH. THE REST IS ABSORBED INTO THE SMALL INTESTINE. FROM THERE IT’S QUICKLY CARRIED FROM THE BLOODSTREAM TO THE BRAIN AND YOU START TO RELAX AND FEEL UNINHIBITED. THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL CARRIED IN THE BLOODSTREAM IS KNOWN AS YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION, OR BAC. THE HIGHER THAT LEVEL IS, THE MORE DRUNK YOU FEEL. FOR ME IT WAS JUST ABOUT HAVING FUN AND GETTING AS DRUNK AS I COULD.I DIDN’T CARE THAT I WAS DOING BADLY AT SCHOOL BECAUSE SCHOOL WAS NEVER FUN.MOST DAYS I WOULDN’T BOTHER TURNING UP. I’D SNEAK A BOTTLE OF SOMETHING AND FIND SOMEWHERE TO DRINK IT. YOUR LIVER GOES INTO OVERDRIVE TO PRODUCE ENZYMES TO BREAK DOWN THE ALCOHOL AND GET IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM. BUT IT CAN ONLY PRODUCE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THESE ENZYMES, SO IF YOU DRINK TOO MUCH THE ONLY METHOD FOR SOBERING UP IS TIME. COLD SHOWERS, EXERCISE, BLACK COFFEE, FRESH AIR OR VOMITING WILL NOT SPEED UP THE PROCESS. IN FACT, IF YOU BINGE DRINK THROUGHOUT AN EVENING YOU MAY STILL HAVE A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF ALCOHOL IN YOUR BLOODSTREAM THE FOLLOWING DAY.WHILE EVERYONE WAS ENJOYING THEMSELVESI’D BE PASSED OUT ON THE COUCH OR IN SOMEONE’S BACK YARD. ONE OF MY FRIENDS WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AFTER ME FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT. WOMEN REACH HIGHER BAC’S FASTER BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS WATER IN THEIR BODIES AND GENERALLY MORE ADIPOSE,OR FATTY TISSUE WHICH IS NOT EASILY PENETRATED BY ALCOHOL. THIS MEANS THAT A MAN’S BODY WILL AUTOMATICALLY DILUTE THE ALCOHOL MORE THAN A WOMAN’S BODY EVEN IF THE TWO PEOPLE WEIGH THE SAME AMOUNT. A MAN AND A WOMAN BOTH DRINKING THE SAME AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL WILL HAVE DIFFERENT BAC LEVELS. HERS WILL BE HIGHER. BINGE DRINKING IS EFFECTIVELY POISONING YOUR BODY. IT CAUSES SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS ON YOU AND YOUR HEALTH. SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE CAN BE THAT THEY WILL HAVEAN IMPACT UPON THE LIVER, THERE CAN BE A SWELLING OF THE LIVER. IT CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE BRAIN AND THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO A RANGE OF CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR SUCH AS A PERSON FEELING LESS INHIBITED IN THE WAY THEY BEHAVE. THE FEELING OF BEING LESS INHIBITEDIS THE MOST TROUBLESOME AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS GO RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW. WHEN YOU’RE INTOXICATED YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO PUSH BOUNDARIES, SAY OR DO THINGS YOU NORMALLY WOULDN’TWITHOUT THINKING ABOUT HOW IT WILL AFFECT OTHERS AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL THINK OF YOU. THIS CAN LEAD TO A RANGE OF PROBLEMS – STARTING FIGHTS, HURTING OTHERS, AND BRINGINGUNWANTED ATTENTION UPON YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS. SOME OF THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF ABUSING ALCOHOL CAN BE SIMILAR TO ANY OTHER DRUG. THEY CAN BE MANY AND VARIED, BUT CERTAINLY THEY CAN HAVE AN IMPACT UPON A PERSON’S HEALTH WHETHER IT BE ON SOME OF THE INTERNAL ORGANS, IT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT UPON HOW THEIR BRAIN IS FUNCTIONING, IT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT UPON RELATIONSHIPS, AN IMPACT UPON THEIR WORK OR SCHOOL. SOMEONE MIGHT BE DRINKING A LOT OF ALCOHOL AND NOT ABLE TO GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL. IT CAN ALSO HAVE AN IMPACT UPON SOMEONE’S FINANCES, THE WAY THEY RELATE TO THEIR FAMILY, AND IF SOMEONE DOESSOME THINGS THAT ARE ILLEGAL SUCH AS DRIVING WHILE DRINKING
– THAT CAN LEAD TO LEGAL IMPLICATIONS AS WELL. LONG TERM EFFECTS DON’T BOTHER ME.I’LL DEAL WITH THEM IF THEY EVER BECOME A PROBLEM. RIGHT NOW MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DECIDING WHAT TO DRINK NEXT. ALL MY MATES THAT CAN’T HANDLE IT, THAT CAN’T KEEP UP, I DON’T SEE THEM ANYMORE. I’M NOT WORRIED, I DON’T NEED THEM ANYWAY. I WAS NEVER WORRIED ABOUT HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM DRINKING. WHY WOULD I? PEOPLE DRINK ALL THE TIME AND I’M YOUNG. NOT ONE OF THOSE HARDENED ALCOHOLICS. BUT IT’S THE STUFF YOU DON’T THINK OF THAT GETS YOU. I DIDN’T THINK THAT I WOULD LOSE FRIENDS OVER DRINKING AND I DIDN’T THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENED WOULD EVER HAPPEN TO ME. AS WELL AS THE OBVIOUS PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL THERE ARE A RANGE OF SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ISSUES THAT COME WITH DRINKING THAT MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, JUST AREN’T PREPARED FOR. IN THE SHORT TERM ALCOHOL CAN AFFECT THE LIVER, BRAIN, AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. IT MAY ALSO LEAD TO CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR, LEAVING THE DRINKER LESS INHIBITED OR PROTECTIVELY SELF-CONSCIOUS WHICH CAN LEAD TO INCREASED RISK TAKING. IN THE LONG TERM ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE FUNCTION OF EVERY MAJOR INTERNAL ORGAN INCLUDING THE BRAIN.IT ALSO AFFECTS RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES, PARTNERS, AND FRIENDS. IT AFFECTS WORK AND SCHOOL LIFE, FINANCES, AND CAN LEAD TO PARTICIPATING IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. SPEAK TO ANYONE WHO BINGE DRINKS AND ASK WHY THEY DO IT AND THERE’S A RANGE OF RESPONSES YOU’RE LIKELY TO GET. TO HAVE FUN, FEEL GOOD, TO CELEBRATE OR RELAX. WHEN I’M DRUNK I DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. IT STOPPED ME BEING SO SHY AROUND EVERYONE. EVERYBODY IS SURE TO HAVE THEIR OWN REASONS FOR DRINKING EXCESSIVELY. BUT NOT MANY WILL REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS THEM AND THE RISKS THEY’RE TAKING. WORKING AT YSAS, WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DO PARTICIPATE IN SOME BINGE DRINKING WE FIND OFTEN THEY’RE TRYING TO BE ACCEPTED BY PEERS. THEY’RE ALSO TRYING TO BE SEEN AS COOL BY PEERS. THEY’RE TRYING OUT A FEW DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AS YOUNG PEOPLE WILL PUSH BOUNDARIES AS PART OF THEIR LEARNING AS THEY GROW UP. AND WE ALSO FIND THAT EXTERNAL INFLUENCES SUCH AS PEERS AND WHAT FRIENDS ARE EXPECTING YOU TO DO CAN OFTEN ASSIST SOMEONE TO BECOME A BINGE DRINKER AND WHAT WE TRY AND TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT IS LOOKING AFTER THEIR MATESAND BEING ABLE TO SAY NO TO PEERS IF THEY PUSH THEM INTO SOMETHING THEY DON’T WANT TO DO. BINGE DRINKING IN EARLY LIFE INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF BECOMING ALCOHOL DEPENDENT LATER ON. AND ALCOHOLISM HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE MORTALITY RATES IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. WE OFTEN THINK OF ALCOHOLICS AS OLD AND WITHERED. BUT ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL CAN HAPPEN AT ANY AGE TO ANYONE. ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY IS SIMILAR TO ANY TYPE OF DEPENDENCY, WHETHER IT’S DEPENDENCY UPON A LICIT DRUG WHICH COULD BE A MEDICATION FROM A DOCTOR, IT COULD BE TOBACCO, ALCOHOL IS THE SAME WHERE SOMEONE WILL FIND THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE DRINKING ALCOHOL TO FEEL NORMAL. IF THEY DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL THEY’LL EXPERIENCE WHAT WE CALLWITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS WHERE THEY MAY BE FEELING A BIT SICK, NAUSEA, A BIT OF ANXIETY AND THEY FEEL THAT THEY CAN ONLY IMPROVE UPON THOSE FEELINGS OR MAKE THEMSELVESFEEL A LOT BETTER IF THEY HAVE A DRINK OF ALCOHOL. IT’S NOT LIKE YOU SIT THERE AND SAY “I’M GOING TO HAVE A DRINK TODAY AND MAKE MYSELF FEEL BETTER”. I JUST DO IT. I DON’T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT MUCH AT ALL. WHEN I’VE HAD A COUPLE, NOTHING TOUCHES ME. I GUESS THERE WAS A BIT OF PEER PRESSURE INVOLVEDEVEN THOUGH I’D NEVER ADMIT IT. I USED TO PLAY A LOT OF SPORTS SO I WAS NEVER REALLY INTERESTED IN DRINKING. BUT WHEN YOUR TWO BEST FRIENDS ARE DOING IT YOU WANT TO DO IT TOO. YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME TOGETHER. PEOPLE MAY BECOME ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS FOR A RANGE OF REASONS. IT’S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT THE COMMON REASONS ARE, BUT OFTEN PEOPLE WILL RESORT TO USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL,PERHAPS OVERDOING THAT USE WHEN THEY’RE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES AT HOME OR IF THEY’RE STRUGGLING WITH SOME PROBLEMS THEY DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT. THEY MAY HAVE HAD SOME PAST TRAUMAS THAT ARE IMPACTINGUPON THEM AND THEY’RE FINDING THAT ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE IS HELPING THEM TO COPE WITH THOSE PROBLEMS. THAT CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO A DEPENDENCY. REASONS FOR BINGE DRINKING ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE. FOR MOST TEENAGERS IT’S A WAY OF PUSHING BOUNDARIES, TAKING RISKS, AND FITTING IN. WHEN DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL PEOPLE DRINK TO FEEL NORMAL OR TO HELP THEM COPE WITH PROBLEMS IN OTHER AREAS. IF YOU’RE ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL YOU EXPERIENCEWITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS WHEN YOU GO WITHOUT. THESE INCLUDE NAUSEA AND ANXIETY.DRINKING HAS DIFFERENT LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS AROUND THE WORLD AND THE LAWS AGAINST UNDERAGE DRINKING AND THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE CHANGES FROM ONE COUNTRY TO THE NEXT.IN AUSTRALIA YOU HAVE TO BE 18 YEARS OF AGETO PURCHASE ALCOHOL FROM A PUB OR LIQUOR STORE. IN THE UK THE SAME RULES APPLY.ALTHOUGH IF YOU’RE OVER 16 AND IN THE COMPANY OF YOUR PARENTS YOU ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE A DRINK ALONGSIDE A MEAL EATEN IN THE PUB. IN THE U.S. THE LEGAL DRINKING AGE IS 21 AND ALCOHOL CANNOT BE SOLD TO ANYONE UNDER THIS AGE. BEING INTOXICATED CAN ALSO LEAD TO LEGAL CONSEQUENCES WHEN TRYING TO OPERATE VEHICLES OF ANY KIND. IN THE U.S. IF THE POLICE STOP YOU WITH A REASONABLESUSPICION THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL THEY CAN ASK YOU TO PERFORM FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS TO DETERMINE IF YOU’VE BEEN DRINKING. THESE INCLUDE WALKING A STRAIGHT LINE, STANDING ON ONE LEG, AND FOLLOWING AN OBJECT WITH YOUR EYES. ALL WITH THE INTENTION OF PROVING YOUR ABILITY OR INABILITY TO OPERATE A VEHICLE. IN CONTRAST, BOTH THE UK AND AUSTRALIA USE BREATHALYZERS OR BREATH TESTING TO RATE A PERSON’S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION. THE LIMIT IN THE UK IS .08%,WHILE AUSTRALIA HAS A LOWER TOLERANCE AT .05%. .05 IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 50 MILLIGRAMS OF ALCOHOL PER 100 MILLILITERS OF BLOOD.HOWEVER, FOR L OR P PLATE DRIVERS NO ALCOHOL AT ALL IS ALLOWED. IN THE END DRINKING AND DRIVING IS NEVER WORTH THE RISK. BINGE DRINKING IS VERY RISKY AT THE TIME WHEN IT’S OCCURRING. WE’VE SEEN A NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WE WORK WITH WHO HAVE GOT THEMSELVES INTO A LOT OF MISADVENTURES THROUGH BINGE DRINKING…WHETHER THAT BE WITH FRIENDS IN CAR ACCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE DIED OR WHETHER IT BE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED. THERE’S BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS OF PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN BINGE DRINKING BEING VERY INTOXICATED AND SOMEONE’S TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THEM. SO IT’S VERY RISKY FOR THE PERSON AT THE TIME AND WHAT WE LIKE TO SAY IS THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR MATES AND IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE ONE STRAIGHT MATE WITH YOU WHO CAN MAKE SURE YOU GET HOME SAFE AND SOMEONE TO SAY “YOU’RE GETTING A BIT TOO DRUNK”. I’VE HAD A FEW FRIENDS GET INTO CAR ACCIDENTS.THEY WERE LUCKY, THOUGH. ONE FRIEND GOT ARRESTED FOR DRINKING IN PUBLIC AND STARTING FIGHTS. I’VE SEEN LOTS OF FIGHTS BETWEEN DRUNK PEOPLE BUT THERE ARE WORSE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK. THE LEGAL RISKS OF UNDERAGE DRINKING VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY WITH DIFFERENT LEGAL DRINKING AGES AND DRINK DRIVING LAWS. PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS BY PEOPLE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL CAN HAVE STRONG LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER PARTY.WE WERE CELEBRATING THE END OF THE SCHOOL TERM AND EVERYONE WAS THERE. NO PARENTS, JUST A HOUSE TO OURSELVES.EVERYONE WAS LETTING LOOSE, JUST ENJOYING OURSELVES. SOMEONE TURNED UP WITH BOTTLES OF VODKA AND WE WERE HAVING SHOTS. THERE WERE A FEW GUYS FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL THERE. I DIDN’T KNOW THEM BUT WE WERE TALKING AND HAVING FUN. I JUST KEPT UP WITH THEM SHOT FOR SHOT. I JUST KEPT DRINKING. I DON’T REMEMBER PASSING OUT. I’VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A PROBLEM. MY TWO BEST FRIENDS STOPPED SPEAKING TO ME BECAUSE OF IT. WHENEVER WE GO OUT AND I DRINK TOO MUCH THERE ARE ALWAYS FIGHTS.SOMETIMES WITH MATES, SOMETIMES WITH STRANGERS. WHEN I DRINK THAT MUCH IT’S HARD TO CONTROL IT. THIS GUY KNOCKED INTO ME IN THE STREET. I WENT OFF ON HIM AND HE WAS MOUTHING OFF BACK TO ME. I REMEMBER HIS MATES TRYING TO HOLD HIM BACK. MY FRIENDS WERE CHEERING ME ON AND PUNCHES WERE THROWN. I LANDED ONE SQUARE IN HIS FACE. CONSEQUENCES OF BINGE DRINKING AND ANY TYPE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE AND ABUSE ARE MANY AND VARIED. THEY HAVE AN IMPACT FROM A VERY SMALL LEVEL ON THEPERSON’S OWN PHYSICAL HEALTH TO WITHIN THEIR FAMILY GROUP. THEY CAN CAUSE A LARGE AMOUNT OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN. THERE CAN BE VIOLENCE. IT CAN IMPACT UPON SOMEONE’SABILITY TO GET TO SCHOOL, ABILITY TO GET TO WORK. IT CAN ALSO HAVE A LARGE IMPACT UPON SOMEONE’S FINANCES. AND WE ALSO SEE THE IMPACT OF BINGE DRINKING IN THAT IF SOMEONE HAS DONE SOMETHING ILLEGAL THEY CAN GET THEMSELVES A CRIMINAL RECORD AND THAT CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT UPON FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS. I WOKE UP AND THIS GUY WAS ON TOP OF ME. HE WAS HEAVY AND I WAS TOO DRUNK TO PUSH HIM OFF. I REALLY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. MY FRIENDS CAME IN AND WERE SCREAMING AT HIM. HE ACTED LIKE HE WASN’T DOING ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS TOO DRUNK. I WAS JUST TOO DRUNK. HE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL. HE HIT HIS HEAD ON THE PAVEMENT AND THERE WAS BLOOD EVERYWHERE. I WAS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AND FOR A WHILE THERE IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS GOING TO HAVE PERMANENT DAMAGE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, BUT THEN AGAIN IT DIDN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.ALCOHOL KILLS MORE PEOPLE EACH YEAR THAN ALL OTHER DRUGS COMBINED. BINGE DRINKING ALSO LEADS TO MORE INCIDENCES OF UNSAFE SEX AND UNWANTED PREGNANCIES. IT ALSO INCREASES THE RISK OF INFECTION FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
– ESPECIALLY CHLAMYDIA, THE MOST PREVALENT STI THAT OFTEN GOES UNDIAGNOSED FOR MONTHS OR YEARS AND LEADS TO INFERTILITY AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU BINGE DRINK YOU’RE NOT IN CONTROL. AND FOR EVERY ACTION YOU DON’T CONTROL THERE’S AVERY REAL CONSEQUENCE TO FACE WHEN YOU’RE SOBER. BINGE DRINKING IS RISKY WITH MANY SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES.ALCOHOL KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN ALL OTHER DRUGS COMBINED. IT LEADS TO INCREASED INSTANCES OF UNSAFE SEX, UNWANTED PREGNANCIES, AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS. THE WARNING SIGNS OF SOMEONE WHO’S BINGE DRINKING ARE THAT THEY’RE DRINKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL IN A VERY SHORT TIME AND APPEARING INTOXICATED.THAT IS THE TIME TO TRY AND HELP THAT PERSON TO PUT THEMSELVES IN A SAFE PLACE.WARNING SIGNS ABOUT SOMEONE BECOMING DRUG DEPENDENT, ALCOHOL DEPENDENT, AT YSAS WE SEE THE IMPACT OF THAT IN THAT SOMEONE IS NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION AS WELL AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO IN THEIR LIFE. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY’RE NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN SCHOOL, WORK, SOME OF THEIR RELATIONSHIPS HAVE BROKEN DOWN. THEY MAY BE EXPERIENCING THEIR OWN ISSUES WHERETHEY’RE NOT SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS AS MUCH. IT HAS AN IMPACT IN A RANGE OF AREAS.UPON THE WHOLE COMMUNITY THERE’S AN INCREDIBLE COST AS FAR AS POLICING AND THE HEALTH IMPACT WHEN THE COSTS OF PEOPLE GOING TO HOSPITAL AND ALL OF THE MEDICAL TREATMENTS INVOLVED, PARTICULARLY WITH LONG TERM USE OF ALCOHOL, THEY CAN BE QUITE SIGNIFICANT TO THE COMMUNITY. I DON’T THINK I’LL EVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I DON’T WANT TO. IT’S A CONSTANT REMINDER OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN I’M NOT IN CONTROL. I JUST DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE ELSE GO THROUGH IT. I STILL DRINK MORE THAN I SHOULD. I’VE LOST FRIENDS, I’VE HAD A CRIMINAL CONVICTION AND I DIDN’T FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.THE POLICE HAVE PUT ME ON A PROGRAM THAT’S SUPPOSED TO HELP ME STOP DRINKING SO MUCH. IT MIGHT JUST BE WORTH IT. WHEN BINGE DRINKING BECOMES A PROBLEM THERE IS HELP TO BE FOUND. DON’T BE EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT THERE’S A PROBLEM AND DON’T BE SCARED TO SPEAK OUT IF YOU SEE A FRIEND STRUGGLING WITH ALCOHOL. IF SOMEONE’S LOOKING FOR HELP WITH SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES, IT’S ADVISABLE THEY CAN TALK TO THEIR FAMILY – WE REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TALK TO THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR DRUG AND ALCOHOL ISSUES. THEY CAN TALK TO A TRUSTED FRIEND, A SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR A TEACHER THEY KNOW OR A FRIEND’S PARENTS. AND THERE’S ALSO A RANGE OF WEBSITES AND ALSO TELEPHONE LINES THAT THEY CAN CALL FOR MORE ADVICE AND SUPPORT. AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MATES. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND, TALK TO THEM. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT YOURSELF, YOU TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT YOUR OWN CONCERNS. THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ENSURE YOU DRINK RESPONSIBLY. AS YOU GROW OLDER YOU’LL BE SURROUNDED BY ALCOHOL MORE AND MORE.KNOWING YOUR LIMITS AND DRINKING RESPONSIBLY CAN KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE.IF AN ALCOHOL RELATED EMERGENCY OCCURSSUCH AS AN INJURY, CRIME, OR ALCOHOL POISONING, DON’T BE AFRAID TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR HELP. ALWAYS LOOK OUT FOR YOUR FRIENDS. YOU MAY JUST SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE. THE BEST GUIDELINES FOR DRINKING RESPONSIBLY ARE TO PLAN AHEAD AND TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MATES. IF YOU’RE GOING TO A PARTY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,ONLY TAKE THE AMOUNT OF DRINKS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE, DON’T TAKE DRINKS OFF OTHER PEOPLE, DO NOT GET INTO SHOUTS, MAKING SURE YOU’RE ALWAYS EATING A LOT OF FOODAND DRINKING WATER, HAVING A SOFT DRINK AS WELL… AND IF YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE HAVING ANOTHER DRINK, SAYING YOU DON’T WANT ANOTHER DRINK. IN THE END IT’S UP TO YOU TO ACT RESPONSIBLY AND DO THE RIGHT THING.KNOW YOUR LIMITS, AND IF YOU’RE GOING TO DRINK, DRINK IN MODERATION. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF THE DRINKING HABITS OF YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU MAY HAVE A PROBLEM AND SEEK HELP IF YOU DO. ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY, MAKING SURE YOU EAT AND ALSO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER ALONG WITH ANY ALCOHOL. MAKE SURE YOU LOOK OUT FOR FRIENDS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO ACT RESPONSIBLY. BINGE DRINKING IS DANGEROUS AND BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH. THERE ARE MANY SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS THAT CAN CAUSE A RANGE OF PROBLEMS FOR YOUR HEALTH AS WELL AS EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES THAT AREN’T ALWAYS CLEAR AT FIRST. DRINKING SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE RESPONSIBLY AND IN MODERATION. KNOW YOUR LIMITS, LOOK OUT FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND AVOID BINGE DRINKING FOR LIFE.

 
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