What is alcohol?

Alkohol Alcohol is synonymous with liquor. It is often consumed during social events (social drinker) or used as a form of mood elevating drug (feel good drink). It can cause addiction if large amounts are consumed frequently. Alcoholic drinks are present in many forms including beers, wines, brandy and whiskey.

What does alcohol do to your body?

• It slows the function of the Central Nervous System- Slowing down reaction time.
• It alters a person’s perceptions, emotions, movements, vision and hearing.

What are the risk factors of excessive drinking?

• Environmental factors, e.g. :
  • Easily available.
  • Not too expensive.
  • Advertised attractively on media – Usually associated with fun and status.
• Social factors :
  • Peer influence.
  • Family background.
  • Influence by idol and perceived role models.
  • Culture.
• Biological factors :
  • Genetics.
  • Personality (e.g. impulsive, excitable person).

Myths and realities of alcohol use

What are the effects of alcohol?

The social effects are :

• Reduced concentration and do poorly in studies.
• School absenteeism, affecting academic performance.
• Delinquent behaviour.
• Involvement in crime to support drinking habit.

The physical effects are :

• Intoxication (a person may stagger, have slurred speech, be confused and disorientated).
• Poisoning (the symptoms include extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, extremely low blood sugar, seizures and even death).

Health is also affected :

• Permanent damage to the brain.
• Liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer).
• Heart disease (increased blood pressure, strokes).
• Gastric ulceration.
• Intestinal cancer.
• Reduced sex drive and impotence.
• Spontaneous abortion.
• Abnormal babies.
• Anaemia (low haemoglobin level).

Psychosocial problems may also arise:

• Reduced mental functioning.
• Personality changes.
• Aggressive behaviour.
• Depression.
• Suicide.
• Memory disruptions.

What are the indirect health risks?

Alcoholics (a person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism) are prone to:

• Risky behaviors.
• Practise unsafe sex (high risk for HIV / AIDS).
• Display violent behaviour.
• Suffer injuries, for example motor vehicle accidents.
• Making a fool of themselves

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a state of alcohol addiction as a result of alcohol abuse.

When does one suspect a person has alcohol addiction?

• A strong craving to drink.
• An inability to stop drinking.
• Physical dependence (shaking, sweating, nausea).
• The need to increase the amount of alcohol.
• Continued drinking despite difficulties caused by alcohol.
• Speaks highly of alcohol consumption.

How can you stay off alcohol?

You should:

• Practise a healthy life style.
• Know how to :
  • Stay away from friends who drink alcohol.
  • Keep busy – Take up sports, start an exercise program or hobby, participate in beneficial social activities (e.g. Prostar, Rakan Muda).
  • Never give in, not even to a single offer of alcohol – Say “no”.
  • Stay away from places that encourage you to take alcoholic drinks like bars, lounges and discos.
  • Develop good coping skills (for details see Problem solving).

What can you do if you have a drinking problem?

• Get help as soon as possible.
• Talk to an adult you can trust (parents, doctors, school counselors, etc) or a supportive person.