"Alcohol has a complex role in Australian society. Most Australians drink alcohol, generally for enjoyment, relaxation and sociability, and do so at levels that cause few adverse effects. However, a substantial proportion of people drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related harm. For some, alcohol is a cause of significant ill health and hardship. In many countries, including Australia, alcohol is responsible for a considerable burden of death, disease and injury. Alcohol-related harm to health is not limited to drinkers but also affects families, bystanders and the broader community." (National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines, 2009)

Australians are the heaviest drinkers in the English speaking world. Alcohol is ingrained into the Australian culture and viewed as an "acceptable social drug."
 

Alcohol – The Effects.

Short-term:

• Distorted co-ordination, vision and hearing.
• Altered perceptions, judgement and emotional states.
• Dehydration and associated “hang-over”.

Long-term:

• Emotional and social costs:
• Depression.
• Sexual impotence.
• Over-weight/obesity.
• Sleeping difficulties.
• Financial difficulties
• Break-down of the family unit
• Work-place issues

Medical complications:

• Vitamin/mineral deficiencies.
• Skin disorders.
• Pancreas – inflammation and bleeding.
• Stomach/intestines – inflammation, bleeding and ulceration.
• Brain – memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, long term brain damage, learning impairment.
• Heart dysfunction manifested as irregular heart rate, damaged cardiac tissue, elevated blood pressure.
• Neural problems – including a loss of sensation to hands and feet.
• Muscles – a loss of strength and mass.

Liver complications including:

• Impaired liver function
• Liver cancer/cirrhosis
• Swelling/pain

IS THERE A PROBLEM?

If you are concerned about your own drinking habits or those of someone you care for look for the following:

• An inability to control drinking habits.
• Alcohol used as an “escape” to avoid dealing with problems.
• Behavioural swings associated with drinking habits.
• High tolerance levels to alcohol consumption.
• Suffers black-outs and memory loss.

WHAT IS A “STANDARD” DRINK?

• 5 X 285ml Superlight (0.9% alcohol) beers.
• 2-3 X 285ml Light (2-3% alcohol) beers.
• 1 X 285ml (4-5% alcohol) beers.
• 1 X 100ml (12% alcohol) wine.
• 1 X 60ml (18% alcohol) fortified wine.
• 1 X 30ml (37% alcohol) spirit.

GUIDELINES FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (REFERENCE 2009, NHMRC):

1.         For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard
drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related
disease or injury.
2.         For healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard
drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury
arising from that occasion.
3.         A. Parents and carers should be advised that children under 15 years
of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for
this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important.
           B. For young people aged 15−17 years, the safest option is to delay
the initiation of drinking for as long as possible.
4.          A. For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option.
             B. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.

 

WHEN NOT TO DRINK:

• When operating heavy machinery.
• When taking medication.
• When suffering from liver or kidney disease.