Background

What is alcohol?
Alcohol is one of a number of psychoactive drugs. It is a depressant drug – developed through a fermentation process – that slows down brain activity. This means that it will affect any number of functioning traits, including social interaction, decision-making, risk taking, perception and mood. In addition it also affects things like our threshold or tolerance of pain.

Alcohol is a substance that acts to alter body chemistry in a way contrary to its pre-existing state, and secondary to its normal functioning abilities.

One hour of time is required for the liver to break down one unit of alcohol. Intoxication by alcohol can be measured through Blood Alcohol Concentration (mg of alcohol per 100ml blood). This is determined by the amount of units consumed and by the percent volume of the alcohol.

1 unit is equal to ½ pint of standard beer/lager (3.5% volume).

Why do we use alcohol?
As we are aware some substance use, for example, smoking and drinking alcohol, are more widely accepted within our society than others. Alcohol is used for a number of reasons, but predominately, it is used for socialising – with family, friends, colleagues – as a way of relaxing and unwinding, having conversation and fun. It is often associated with celebration and having a good time.

We also use alcohol as a result of marketing and media influence. It is portrayed as glamorous, cool and sexy – our perceptions of alcohol thereafter are very often subjectively swayed and led by outside influence.

Young people also very often use alcohol as a way to experiment. This tends to be as part of a transitional phase in their lives. They are also heavily influenced by their peers and the neighbourhoods and communities in which they live. Alcohol is also used to alleviate pressure and stress and some youngsters may use it believing that it will give them confidence.

What are some of the effects of alcohol?
Restraining from alcohol use, or drinking alcohol moderately is one way in which to enjoy it without regret. Alcohol consumption and its effects can very much depend on a number of influencing factors such as body weight, gender, and whether food has been consumed to aid absorption.

The most common way of being adversely affected by alcohol is by drinking too much. Within five minutes of being taken, alcohol will have reached the brain, and consequently, may start to influence behaviour. Initially the effects may be negligible, but as more is consumed many people move towards a loss of personal control. Ultimately, they act out of character, may lose their inhibitions (and thus expose themselves to increased risk behaviours), become aggressive, loud, violent and argumentative, and, or, feel sick. Physical symptoms follow: the 'morning after the night before' often includes sickness, dizziness, dehydration and headache. Increased personal risk, liability, regret and suffering of the consequences often prevail. Indeed people are much more likely to engage in unprotected sexual behaviours whilst under the influence of alcohol. This can lead to unprotected sex, pregnancy and the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Continuous and sustained abuse of alcohol can ultimately lead to liver disfunction, internal organ malfunction, and increased risk of coronary heart disease in years to come.

Alcohol and the law
You need a licence to sell alcohol, and it's illegal to sell alcohol to someone under 18 or give it to a child under five. It's also an offence to be drunk in a public place, or to drive with too much alcohol in your system (more than 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood).

The effects of alcohol use are different for everyone, but it is often the consequences of actions as a result of irresponsible drinking that determines legal intervention. This ranges from fully-grown adults fighting outside the local pub as a result of a football match result, to young women and men engaging in casual under age sexual activity. Young people are very likely to engage in negative behaviours as a result of drinking too much alcohol. Approximately 25% of 13–17 year olds become involved in arguments or incidents of physical violence. Binge drinking incidents among young women is continually increasing. Drink driving campaigns appear to be failing to hit the mark.

The law, police and courts can impose powerful penalties. Heavy fines, arrests, caution, nights in police cells, courtroom appearances and prison sentences are all very detrimental to personal records. They are particularly damaging for young people starting out in adult life who may be paving out a career within a specific industry, or looking to travel the world, or gain credit for a purchase – some of the very practical personal issues that a criminal record can destroy.

Safe and responsible drinking
If people have to drink they should do so safely and responsibly:
Alcohol is a depressant type drug
Alcohol affects behaviour – it can inhibite normal behaviour and lead to risk taking, such as unprotected sex
Eating food prior to drinking slows down the rate that alcohol is absorbed into the body
Alcohol affect women quicker than men and the effects lasts longer, so women should slow down and substitute alcoholic drinks, if out in a crowd
Young people are more likely to be lighter in weight than adults. The lighter you weigh the greater effect alcohol will have on your body
Those who drink too much on a night out may be over the limit for using their car for driving the next morning
One full hour is required by the liver to break down one unit of alcohol
Stay with a friend whilst out drinking – make sure each of you knows what to do in the event of any emergency situation
TIME – it's the ONLY one cure for a hangover