ALCOHOL’S EFFECTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE

So, what's the big deal about getting drunk?

Well, alcohol is an ADDICTIVE TOXIN (poison) which permanently damages the body in excess quantities, more so if you're young. Because it is addictive some young people once they start cannot control their drinking and end up as alcoholics. Many more end up with an unhealthy relationship with alcohol – they would like to give it up or reduce but they can’t – because it is addictive.

Extent of drinking among 15-16 year old schoolchildren (ESPAD study 2007)
More girls than boys drunk in last 30 days 28% versus 24%
More girls binge drank in last 30 days than boys 44% versus 42%
This places Ireland 5th of 35 countries surveyed


What’s a Unit of Alcohol and why is it important?
Because alcohol is a TOXIN (poison), more than a certain amount damages the body. Too much can be fatal, and young people have drunk themselves to death in ONE session over a few hours drinking spirits because they did not know this.

So, to know how much pure alcohol you are drinking, there is a measure called a Unit. It is also called a Standard Drink.

A unit is 10 mg of alcohol which is about a HALF of a pint of normal draught lager or a half measure of normal spirits. Extra strength beers and spirits would have more than 10 mg. of alcohol and be more than 1 unit. Any of the warnings about drink consumption when they refer to drinks they mean standard drinks or HALF measures.

A Unit of Alcohol
1 standard drink = 10 mg of alcohol = 1 unit
1 half pint lager = 10 mg = 1 unit
1 small pub measure of spirits = 11 mg
1 alcopop = 12 mg
1 quarter bottle wine = 18 mg

How many Units is it OK to drink?
For over 18’s – men 21 units a week, women 14 units a week.
For under 18’s, no guidelines available but much less, and for girls less again.

Why is the men’s safe level higher than the women’s?
Because men are physically better able to process alcohol, and simply because they are generally larger with more blood to absorb the alcohol.

What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is drinking 60 mg/ 6 units or more in a session (HSE 2008/2010)
That equals:
3 pints lager or
6 small whiskies/vodkas or
5 alcopops or
3 quarter bottles of wine

Why is binge drinking worse?
Drinking fast puts an extra strain on your liver and body trying to process it. A heavy drinking session can do permanent damage to you. Heavy sessions every weekend will do permanent damage to most young people. But you won’t see full effects for years when it’s too late.

Damage alcohol does to young drinkers (HSE report)
Starting drinking at 15 means you're
4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependency than those waiting to age 21
7 times more likely to be in a car crash
11 times more likely to suffer unintentional injury

Heavy teenage drinking can impair brain development and cause memory loss
The immediate effects of getting drunk are a hangover and not functioning well next day.
The long term effects of getting drunk regularly are cancers, liver disease and brain damage.

Hangover: symptoms of alcohol poisoning - dehydration, sick stomach, no energy
Poor school performance: reduces concentration and impairs memory,
Anti-social behavior and mental health issues: heavy and binge drinking are linked to permanent brain damage. Alcohol was a factor in 41% of all self-harm (HSE 2008)
Drinking links to smoking and drug-taking: young drinkers more likely to smoke and do drugs.
Premature death : drink driving accidents, violence, suicide (alcohol is a depressant).
Unsafe sex : pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).
More than 1 in 4 of people under 30 attending A & E had alcohol related injuries in 2007.

Drinking and Teen pregnancy
Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
with damage/underdevelopment of the unborn baby’s (fetal) brain and major organs.
The baby’s brain, heart and skeleton are formed in the first 10 to 50 days of pregnancy.
There is NO known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy: it all enters the baby’s bloodstream and can cause damage.
When the baby is a child s/he can be hyperactive and have attention deficit disorder
What is known: 3 units a day increases risk of miscarriage and over 12 units a week increases the risk of premature birth. Binge drinking is particularly harmful.
In Ireland an estimated 4500 unborn babies annually (HSE 2008) are put at risk by their mothers’ drinking.

BOTTOM LINE – MAKE SMART CHOICES AROUND ALCOHOL

Alcohol is an addictive toxin, if you can’t stop, cut down to safe levels.
Be smart – go for lower alcohol drinks, they taste much the same as strong stuff.
Drink small bottles not pints.
Drink beer not spirits.
Don’t get into rounds.
Don’t binge – every drink doesn’t have to be alcoholic in a long session.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach – not good for your stomach or liver.
If you’re a leader, set a good example.
You don't have to be drunk to be cool..............