Booze, Bevs, Spirits, Wines
Legal
Varies widely depending on beer, wine or spirit and size
Depressant
- It is against the law for an adult to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18.
- Binge drinking is classed as drinking 8 units or more in a single session for men and 6 units or more in a single session for women.
- More than 9,000,000 people in England drink more than the recommended daily limits.
- Alcohol plays a factor in more than 60 medical conditions and long term use can lead to serious health problems.
- Alcohol is a poison and drinking too much can lead to alcohol poisoning.
- Alcohol disrupts the balance of chemicals in the brain which can affect the way you think and feel.
- Heavy alcohol users will more than likely develop symptoms of depression. This is because drinking alcohol lowers the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate your mood.
- Alcohol has a negative impact on your stomach and your digestive tract causing your stomach to produce more acid than it would do normally.
- Regular drinkers of alcohol are at a high risk of developing bowel, liver and breast cancer.
- Alcohol causes the liver to produce a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde which can damage liver cells and cause scarring.
- Alcohol dehydrates you and it is this dehydration that causes hangovers and the headaches that are often associated with them.
- Long-term heavy use of alcohol destroys parts of the brain, causing irreversible brain damage and resulting in slowed thinking, an unsteady walk and slurred speech.
- Alcohol in any form is a risk to health.
- Alcohol should not be mixed with other substances.
- Evenings out should be planned, and journeys home should always be pre-planned. Ensure somebody knows where you are and what time you are expected home.
- Mixing drinks should be avoided and consideration should be given in advance to the amount that is going to be consumed.
- Remember there are no safe limits for young people. For adults, the current recommendation is:
- The Governments recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption have recently changed, the new guidelines are as follows:
Men should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol over the course of three days or more.
Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol over the course of three days or more.
- Wallets/purses/bankcards should be left at home to avoid being tempted to spend more as the night goes on. Remember to keep enough money for a phone call or taxi if needed.
- Eat before drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to being drunk too quickly and can harm the stomach wall. A good meal before drinking can reduce the urge to drink too much.
- Drinks should not be left unattended as they may be spiked or contaminated.
- Check the percentage content of alcohol in the drink if buying from a supermarket. Do not be tempted to buy drinks due to their high alcohol content.
- Substitute some alcoholic drinks for soft drinks when you start to feel the effects.
