CROW (Counselling Resources on the Web)
Alcohol and Drinking
Why talk about alcohol?
Well, a little of it may be good for us.
It can lower anxiety levels in anxious people, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
However alcohol abuse, or addiction can have disastrous effects on our health, relationships, social life, academic performance, career and financial position.
Why people drink
Drinking is associated with many social gatherings, and in some cases is a cultural or subcultural expectation. People drink for many reasons including fun, relaxation, avoidance of feelings and problems or unresolved issues from the past, or just feeling lonely or stressed out.
Myths about alcohol
Common myths include a belief that you are not responsible for your behaviour if you are drunk. The University is clear that you are liable for any property or personal damage or grievance that might arise out of your drinking behaviour. Hall contracts and fees are binding for the entire academic year even if you are dismissed from the hall for drunken or disorderly behaviour.
How alcohol effects the brain
Alcohol is a depressant, it slows the brain, gradually switching off the various parts of the brain.
- The frontal lobes of the brain control judgment, and are usually the first parts to be affected by alcohol. People start doing things they wouldn’t normally do, and become disinhibited. This loss of self control makes people more likely to give in to impulse and become aggressive or sexually inappropriate. Shame and embarrassment can follow when sober.
- Effects on motor areas of the brain include slurred speech, staggering and spilling drinks.
- Perception changes include distortion of ability to judge depth or speed, so you may be confused about speed of oncoming cars.
- As hearing (and vision) are affected, you may notice people speaking louder and louder as they drink.
- Eventually, with enough alcohol intake vital brain areas responsible for consciousness and heart and lung function are effected. Passing out and paralysis occurs, and sometimes even death by alcohol poisoning.
Warning signs of an alcohol problem
Drinking can be a problem when it poses a serious health risk, or the behaviour associated with your drinking interferes with your life in some way. This can be in terms of your ability to sustain healthy relationships, function effectively at work, study or socialise. It may also negatively affect the way you manage your finances and meet your personal commitments.
What do I do to look after myself?
Some people choose not to drink. If you do choose to drink responsibly then:
- Limit consumption to match your body size and remember it takes on average an hour to metabolise or process each drink.
- Always have food before and during any drinking.
- Do not mix drinks, put your drink down out of sight, or take drinks from strangers.
- Have a sober or "safe" driver plan before you go out, and don’t go to parties alone.
- It is important to objectively assess the impact on your life of your drinking. Asking a trusted friend or family member for their opinion may help but sometimes a doctor or counsellor might be more helpful.
- Recognise that while social drinking is fun, co-operative and respectful of the rights of others, drunken behaviour is offensive, destructive, degrading and disrespectful to yourself and others.
Where do I go from here?
More information or advice on alcohol can be obtained from doctors and other health professionals such as counsellors. Alcohol and drug units are found in city hospitals, and community support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous can be found in your local telephone book under "Personal Help Services."
If you would like to make an appointment to see a counsellor contact one of the following:
Palmerston North: Phone Julia at the Student Counselling Service on 350-5935.
Albany: Phone the Student Health and Counselling Centre on (09) 443 9783.
Wellington: Phone the Student Health and Counselling Centre (run by the Student Services Trust) on (04) 801 2542.
Self check
You may like to check out what you are doing or can do to help yourself drink responsibly
I am:
- matching my drinking with my body size and gender (women metabolise alcohol more slowly than men)
- eating at parties and limiting drinks to one per hour
- choosing not to drink (when I drive)
- otherwise, arranging a sober driver
- taking responsibility for my own drinks
- monitoring the impact of my drinking on my study, relationships, finances and work
- respecting others’ property, rights and choices
