Detailed information about alcohol consumption can be accessed on the Department of Health website.
The information below is summarised from the Department of Health resources.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/aod/alcohol/index.htm
Facts and myths about alcohol
Some myths:
Alcohol will give you more energy and make you more sociable
Alcohol is a depressant and will therefore slow you down rather than give you more energy. As it slows down the central nervous system, it may lead to some people feeling less self-conscious, however it is also likely to impair people’s ability to make decisions in a rational manner. In some instances, people can become abusive and violent after drinking alcohol.
While alcohol is considered a drug, you cannot overdose on it
Overdosing on alcohol occurs when you drink too much and is referred to as alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning takes place when the level of alcohol in the body is so high that it causes the collapse of the autonomic nervous system. It does this by numbing the respiratory brain cells, which causes the brain to stop signalling the body to breathe. This can lead to suffocation and death.
Alcohol does not have an adverse affect on your body unless you get really drunk
Unlike food, alcohol does not require digestion and can be quickly metabolised through the body. When drinking on an empty stomach, it takes about five minutes for alcohol to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine. As soon as it is in the bloodstream, it only takes about 90 seconds for it to be carried to all of the body’s organs, including the brain.
People need to drink alcohol to have a good time
There is a perception in society that when people drink alcohol it makes them more sociable and they will have a better time than if they don’t drink. Drinking alcohol can make people feel less inhibited due to a slowing down of the central nervous system, however it may not necessarily make them more sociable. Rather, people are more likely to become aggressive and irrational after drinking too much.
My parents drink so therefore I should be able to drink
Alcohol is widely used in
It is important to note that younger people differ from adults in terms of physical size and stages of development, which will impact on how alcohol affects them. Also, due to a lack of exposure to alcohol among young people, they are less likely to have had an opportunity to build a tolerance to it.
Some facts:
Alcohol is a bigger problem than other drugs
Alcohol misuse is a significant problem, both socially and economically, to the Australian community. The community generally perceives illicit drugs to be a greater problem because there is always more media attention on drug use, especially heroin, cannabis and ecstasy. In reality, alcohol is ranked second to tobacco as the most preventable cause of health-related harms and death. Alcohol costs the Australian community approximately $7.5 billion per annum, accounting for 22 per cent of the social cost of all use in
Not everyone drinks alcohol
For a number of reasons, such as peer group pressure, there is a perception among young people that everyone drinks alcohol. While at times, it may appear to be the case, there are many people who choose not to drink. There is even evidence to suggest that alcohol consumption has decreased among the Australian adult population in recent times.
The reasons why people choose not to drink vary from person to person. It may be due to health problems or just because they don’t enjoy the taste of alcohol. Regardless of the reason, the decision is an individual one and people should not feel pressured by others to do things they don’t feel comfortable with.
There is also a common perception among young people that people drink alcohol to get drunk. Once again, this is not always the case. Most people consume alcohol without getting drunk and in many instances being drunk is not what people would view as having a good time or as socially acceptable behaviour.
Alcohol is fattening
Many people assume that because alcohol is a liquid rather than a food, it isn’t fattening. On the contrary, while alcohol itself does not contain fat it is packed with calories and when mixed with another drink, such as a soft drink then the calories can really add up. A standard drink is said to contain approximately 70 calories without a mixer and a glass of champagne contains 106 calories.
Alcohol affects everyone differently
People react differently to alcohol. This can be due to a number of reasons which relate to the type of alcohol being consumed (amount, strength), the person drinking (sex, age, body weight, state of mind) and the environment where drinking is taking place (time of day, being alone).
Alcohol affects males differently to females
Even if a male and female are the same height and weight and consume the same amount of alcohol, the female is likely to experience higher blood alcohol levels as alcohol is absorbed differently in females due to them tending to have more fatty tissue and less water in their bodies than males.
Time is the only effective method of sobering up
Many people believe that vomiting, drinking coffee or even having a shower will help people sober up. In reality, the only effective thing that will sober someone up is time. While doing those things outlined may make someone feel better, they will not help someone sober up any quicker. This is important to remember when undertaking potentially risky activities, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.
Getting help
If you or a friend is finding your alcohol consumption negatively affecting your life or relationships, it may be worth talking to your GP to get some advice about ways to address the issue.
In addition the CFA’s Welfare Services program may be the first contact point for people who are concerned that that alcohol is a problem for them. Remember, any CFA member or immediate family member can access Welfare Services at any time.
Welfare services are short term in nature. Members with long term clinical or complex needs will be linked to appropriate services where relevant, such as internal services (WorkCover or Volunteer Compensation) and external community based agencies.
- Peer support can be accessed through the Regional Duty Officer, Officer in Charge, Line Manager, the Peer Coordinator or via the CFA Welfare line (ph 1800 628 616)
- Chaplains can be contacted directly or by contacting Converge International on 1800 337 068
- Psychologists/Counsellors can be contacted directly by contacting PPC Worldwide on1300 361 008
If you have any comments about the Welfare Services programs, please email welfareservices@cfa.vic.gov.au
Other articles in the series;
CFA Research Article 1 - Research Confirms
CFA Research Article 2 - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
CFA Research Article 3 - Depression
CFA Research Article 4 - Anxiety
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