Alcohol and other drugs

Alcohol is a depressant. It slows brain activity and responses. The effects of alcohol vary with gender, size, fitness, food eaten and the rate of drinking.

Standard drinks

One standard drink is about 1 pot of regular beer, 1.6 pots of light beer, 1 small glass of wine, 1 mixed drink or 3/4 of an alcoholic soda.

Low-risk drinking

Low risk drinking is 2 standard drinks or less in any day. This is not a 'safe' or 'no risk' level of drinking. It just reduces the risk of accidents and alcohol-related illness.

Binge drinking

Binge drinking is heavy drinking in a short period or continuous drinking over several days or weeks. It increases the risk of accidents, and if done regularly, the risk of major organ damage.

Sobering up

The only way to sober up is to give your body time. Black coffee, cold showers, vomiting or other approaches will not work. It takes a healthy liver about an hour to process 1 standard drink. If you drink 10 pots of beer it will take 10 hours to get the alcohol out of your system.

Other drugs

 

Drug typeEffects and side effects
Stimulants (speed, cocaine, ecstasy, ICE) Elevate mood and keep you awake. Side effects include fatigue, confusion, aggression, anxiety, paranoia, rapid heart rate, sweating, tremors, poor judgement
Hallucinogens (marijuana, acid) Change perceptions and thought processes. Side effects include short-term memory loss, poor motor coordination, anxiety, delusions, paranoia
Inhalants (petrol, glue, solvents) Elevate mood and make you feel light. Side effects include double vision, nausea, drowsiness, anxiety
Prescription drugs Can have bad effects if mixed with alcohol

Staying safe

Plan ahead

  • Eat well before you leave home for a night out
  • Set a drink limit and stick to it
  • Take money to get home or work out who is going to stay sober to drive home
  • Plan to stay together in a group and look out for each other

Drink responsibly

  • Choose low alcohol drinks if you can
  • Drink in moderation
  • Make every second or third drink non-alcoholic
  • Don't leave your drinks unattended or they could be spiked
  • Don't accept drinks from strangers - they could be spiked
  • Don't let anyone else top up your drinks
  • Don't go over your drink limit
  • Don't get involved in shouting rounds of drinks
  • Don't get into drinking games
  • Avoid salty snacks as they may make you want to drink more
  • Don't drink on the street or in public places or you may get arrested

Make smart decisions

  • Trust your own judgement. Don't be swayed by peer group pressure
  • Avoid going off with people you don't know, particularly if you've been drinking
  • Don't get into a car with a driver who has been drinking
  • Leave a party or venue if you don't feel safe

Know how to handle a friend who has collapsed

  • Call an ambulance on 000
  • Turn them on their side. They could choke lying on their back
  • Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block their airway
  • Don't leave them on their own. Stay till help arrives

Long term drug and alcohol problems