2 Alcohol

The Quiz

Complete the quiz using the information on this page (below)

Each set of questions is aligned to the different parts of this site.

The Information Source

Part 1: Drugs Recap

Drugs are defined as substances other than food that alter the functions of the mind and body of an individual. Drugs are often taken for medical reasons and can be either prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter. Drugs can also be psychoactive substances used illegally for recreational purposes.

Part 2: Drug Classification

There are three types of drug classifications: depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens.

Depressants

Drugs that slow down the activity of the nervous system. They work by slowing down the messages that go to and from the brain.

Stimulants

Drugs that work by speeding up the activity of the nervous system. The messages that go to and from the brain are quicker.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter the perception of reality as well as feelings and thoughts. They can cause a person to hear and see things that are not real or are not actually there.

Part 3: Alcohol - A legal drug (for 18+)

Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the functions and reactions of the body. The main ingredient, ethanol, is produced through the fermentation of grains and fruit.

Common types of alcohol are wine, beer and spirits.

The amount consumed determines the effects on the brain and the body.

The law for alcohol in Australia states that people under the age of 18 may not buy alcohol. They may only drink or be in the possession of alcohol under parental supervision but not in pubs, clubs and licensed restaurants.

Part 4: Alcohol - Effects on the body

Part 5: Pre-loading

What is it?

Pre-loading (sometimes referred to as pre-drinking) is a term used to describe drinking alcohol before going to the intended event or place. Young people may pre-load for a number of reasons:

· They're waiting for friends at a central place before going out

· They're drinking while getting ready (doing hair, make-up, etc.)

· To save money on buying alcohol from the venue

· To ‘pump up’ or get in the right mood before going out

· Some functions or venues don’t serve alcohol, so people get drunk before they go

Why is pre-loading dangerous?

Pre-loading is considered dangerous because:

it often happens in groups of young people without parental supervision or approval
many people pre-load to get drunk, which is unsafe in itself
going out drunk means leaving a safe environment (if young people are pre-loading at a house) and heading out into public environments, putting themselves and others at greater risk
when people get together to drink they may try to keep up with each other and drink more than they can handle
if individuals are mixing their own drinks, the drinks can be extremely strong, so people might think they have consumed less alcohol than the actual amount
if young, under-age people are gathering at a friend’s house to pre-load, they may be drinking alcohol without permission from their parents
pre-loading is a form of binge drinking, which in itself has major health implications.

Statistics on pre-loading

Three-quarters of Victorian young people are ‘preloading’ alcohol before a night out at bars and clubs.
There are strong relationships between pre-drinking and extreme binging; that is, consuming 11 or more standard drinks in a session at least once a month.
Excessive alcohol consumption puts people at greater risk of being involved in fights, accidents and road trauma.
Many young people end up being drunk before even reaching the second venue.
Young people stated that they pre-load because it is cheaper to buy alcohol from bottle shops than from clubs and pubs, particularly alcoholic energy drinks, wine and alcopops.
If loading up on alcohol before going out, an individual is more likely to be drinking at a level which puts them at high risk

Part 6: Drink Spiking

What is it?

Drink spiking has become a significant issue throughout Australian communities, though incidents of drink spiking are under-reported (victims often think that people won't believe them, especially if they have taken drugs or been drinking).

Drink spiking occurs when alcohol or drugs have been added to a drink without the consumer knowing or giving approval. Drink spiking is illegal and can cause serious health issues and concerns, including death.

Any type of drink can be spiked – water, soft drink, juice or alcohol. There are numerous substances being used to spike drinks, including:

· Alcohol

· prescription drugs, such as muscle relaxants and hypnotics

· illicit drugs, such as ecstacy, LSD, ketamine and GHB.

What are the effects of drink spiking?

The effects of drink spiking differ from person to person. Effects depend on a number of factors, such as the type of substance used, the amount used and a victim's weight, size and health status. Individuals whose drink has been spiked may feel:

· dizzy

· light headed

· nauseas

· drowsy

· disorientated.

Individuals may experience vomiting, memory blanks and/or they may pass out or lose consciousness. For information on drink spiking, visit http://adf.org.au/insights/drink-spiking

Activity

1. Outline reasons why pre-loading is considered dangerous.

2. Brainstorm reasons why people spike drinks.

3. Develop a list of actions you should take if you think your drink has been spiked

Part 7: What causes a hangover

Sobering up to prevent hangovers: Fact or fiction?

1. Myth: Drink coffee

Fact: Contrary to popular belief, caffeinated beverages do not help your liver metabolize the alcohol. You may feel more alert and awake, but you’ll still be impaired and subject to fines and worse should you consider driving.

2. Myth: Drink water

Fact: Alcohol contributes to dehydration, so it’s important that you counter this by consuming as much water as possible. However this will not help with impairment. Your blood alcohol level will most definitely still rise! Tip: Have a glass of water with every glass of alcohol to replenish your body’s lost fluids and reduce your chances of getting a hangover.

3. Myth: Take a cold shower

Fact: This will have no effect on your level of drunkenness and can cause you to go into shock if you are very inebriated. The cold water will help jolt your body to alertness, but these results won’t last very long.

4. Myth: Sweat it out

Fact: No amount of exercise can reliably reduce the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Plus, it can be dangerous to exercise while intoxicated.

5. Myth: Get some fresh air/Take deep breaths

Fact: Getting some fresh air can make you feel better momentarily, but this will do nothing to lower your blood alcohol level.

6. Myth: Eat, the food absorbs the alcohol

Fact: A full stomach does make it easier for the liver to oxidize the alcohol, but not because it absorbs it. The body processes food and alcohol differently, so eating won’t really sober you up if you’ve already consumed large amounts of alcohol. Tip: Drinking on an empty stomach quickens intoxication, so you should always eat (preferably foods that are high in protein) if you plan on having a drink or two.

7. Myth: Induce vomiting

Fact: Do NOT make yourself throw up; it’s simply not healthy. Self-induced vomiting might help get rid of some of the alcohol that has not yet been absorbed by your body, but most of it will already be in your bloodstream.

Part 8: Safe Drinking

Drinking alcohol is a major aspect of socialising and having fun during adolescence and even into adulthood. Individuals can practise numerous steps in order to stay safe while drinking or around alcoholic environments.

Advice for drinking safely includes:

Eat a meal to line the stomach before starting to drink.
Consume a glass of water between each alcoholic drink.
Drink pre-mixed drinks so that it is easier to accurately measure how much alcohol has been consumed. \
If consuming drinks that need to be mixed, measure the amount of alcohol.
Avoid mixing different types of alcohol.
Avoid binge drinking.
Drink in safe environments, where there are people to look after each other.
Know when to stop – if feeling nauseous, stop drinking

The Australian culture and socialising with alcohol are strongly linked, which can create positive memories. However, it can also create some of the worst mememories if individuals don’t practise safe drinking habits.

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