Drugz

When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning is exactly what it sounds like — the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result.

Why Do Teens Drink?
Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are:

• curiosity
• to feel good, reduce stress, and relax
• to fit in
• to feel older
• The new culture of pre drinking (Prees).

From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially having beer or wine with dinner, for example alcohol seems harmless to many teens.

Why Shouldn't I Drink?
Consequences of excessive drinking.

Causes:

• Disorderly behaviour.
• Arrest.
• School work deteriorates.
• Hinders concentration.
• Sports performance is compromised.

Also:

• Attacks nervous system.
• Weakens bowel movement.
• Vomiting.
• Bad breath.
• Hangover.

Health:

• Lose inhabitions.
• Unwanted pregnancy.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Accidents - fatal or life-changing. 50% of drowning deaths amongst teens is related to alcohol consumption.
• Suicide.
• Regular drinking starting at age 13 makes you overweight.
• Continuous drinking into adulthood can cause liver, heart and brain damage. 

How Can You Avoid Drinking?
If all your friends drink and you don't want to, it can be hard to say "no, thanks." No one wants to risk feeling rejected or left out. Different strategies for turning down alcohol work for different people. Some people find it helps to say no without giving an explanation, others think offering their reasons works better ("I'm not into drinking," "I have a game tomorrow," or "my uncle died from drinking," for example).

If saying no to alcohol makes you feel uncomfortable in front of people you know, blame your parents or another adult for your refusal. 

If you're going to a party and you know there will be alcohol, make sure that you don't drink excessively and that way you will ensure that you will keep safe.

Youngsters who have strong self-esteem are less likely to become problem drinkers than people with low self-esteem.

Where Can I Get Help?
If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust. If you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counsellor, aunt, or uncle. It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer students to a drug and alcohol counsellor for evaluation and treatment.

In Gibraltar treatment is completely confidential. After assessing a teen's problem, a counsellor may recommend a specific rehabilitation. These treatments help a person gradually overcome the physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.

What If I'm Concerned About Someone Else's Drinking?
Sometimes people live in homes where a parent or other family member drinks too much. This may make you angry, scared, and depressed. Many people can't control their drinking without help. This doesn't mean that they love or care about you any less. Alcoholism is an illness that needs to be treated just like other illnesses.

People with drinking problems can't stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help. This can leave family members and loved ones feeling helpless. The good news is there are places to turn for help. See the ‘Help and Advice’ page.

If you have a friend whose drinking concerns you, make sure he or she stays safe. Don't let your friend drink and drive, for example. If you can, try to keep friends who have been drinking from doing anything dangerous, such as trying to walk home at night alone or starting a fight. And protect yourself, too. Don't get in a car with someone who's been drinking, even if that person is your ride home. Ask a sober adult to drive you instead or call a cab.

Everyone makes decisions about whether to drink and how much — even adults. It's possible to enjoy a party or other events just as much, if not more so, when you don't drink. And with your central nervous system working as it's supposed to, you'll remember more about the great time you had!

What is binge drinking?
Binge drinking is generally defined as “drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking to get drunk”.

Because everybody is different, it is not easy to say exactly how many units in one session count as binge drinking. The definition used by the UK Office of National Statistics for binge drinking is having over 8 units in a single session for men and over 6 units per women.
Of course, people may drink at different speeds or drink over a different amount of time and this definition may not apply to everyone. 

What we can say is that the risks of short-term harms like accidents or injuries increase between two to five times from drinking five-seven units. This is equivalent to 2-3 pints of beer.

The sorts of things more likely to happen when people drink too much or too quickly on a single occasion include accidents resulting in injury, misjudging risky situations or losing self-control.

Our Advice
  If you do choose to drink, it’s best to spread your drinks evenly throughout the week. If you wish to cut down the amount of alcohol you’re drinking, a good way to do this is to have several drink-free days per week.

In order to keep the risk from alcohol low medical professionals recommend that you should:

• Limit the total amount of alcohol that you drink on any one occasion.
• Drink more slowly, alternate drinks with water and drink with food.
• Avoid risky places and activities.
• Make sure you are with people who you know whom you can rely on.

Some of the pitfalls of excess drinking could include accidents resulting in injury (which could cause death in some cases), misjudging risky situations, and losing self-control.

Why is binge drinking riskier than drinking normally?

• Body processes ONE unit of alcohol per hour e.g. 6 units in 1 hour could make you drunk
• Alcohol taken with food over several hours should have less effect on the system.

Locally ‘Binge Drinking’ Problem, this is reflected in the research conducted for the GHA Health and Lifestyle report, which noted that in Gibraltar 31% of young people (16-24) binge drink at least once a week. This is a significantly higher proportion than any other age group and similar to patterns in England, Scotland and Wales

What are the effects of binge drinking?
Getting drunk can affect your physical and mental health:

• More prone to accidents.
• Death - Alcohol poisoning - Choking on vomit.
• Blackouts.
• Mood Change.
• Aggression - Antisocial, voilent behaviour.
• Long term use = serious mental health issues.

How can you tell if you’re a binge drinker?

Do you;

• Drink very quickly?
• Drink to get drunk or tipsy?
• Cannot stop drinking once you've started?

Leads to = Alcohol Dependence.

Get help with binge drinking
A good place to start is taking our confidential Alcohol-Self Assessment Test.

If you’re worried about your drinking habits, it is suggested that you talk to a trustworthy adult who could then help you contact a GP at the Primary Care Centre. They will be able to suggest ways to help you cut down your drinking, and can also refer you for counselling or support services.