Parents, Know the Facts! - Alcohol

ALCOHOL IS A DEPRESSANT DRUG. IT SLOWS DOWN THE MESSAGES TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE BRAIN AND THE BODY.

Alcoholism can also be in the form of binge drinking. This is a manner of drinking where the person doesn’t drink daily, but only on occasions. Sometimes these occasions are on weekends only or during holidays, special celebrations, etc. A binge occurs when a person drinks 5 or more drinks per ‘sitting’ or cannot stop, even when he tries to limit or control himself.

Forms of alcohol: beers, ciders, wines, shooters, cocktails, home brew concoctions, spirits, etc.

PARAPHERNALIA

Cooldrink bottles, totpacks, containers smelling of alcohol. The smell of alcohol on the breath, slurred speech, and problems with coordination are tell-tale signs of alcohol use. Falling grades, skipping school, and behavioural problems are also more common in teen drinkers.

You may also notice sudden changes in the friends a child is spending time with. Drinkers tend to be more prone to injuries, such as falls, car accidents, falls, drowning, burns and shootings.

EFFECTS OF INHALANTS

There is no safe level of drug use. The effects of any substance (including alcohol) vary from person to person. The following effects may be experienced:

Drunk and off-balance, smelling of alcohol, poor judgement and decisions, red eyes, poor balance, frequent urination, slurred speech, nausea, at first having energy, but later being tired, sleepy, giggling, inappropriate behaviour, aggression and violence, emotional outbursts and crying, anxiety, cravings.

WITHDRAWAL

Symptoms may occur from two hours to four days after the last use. These symptoms can include:

Shaking and tremors, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, eye sensitivity, anxiety, tired and lazy, depression, irritated and aggressive, sweating.

LONG TERM EFFECTS

High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems, cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, oesophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum, weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick, learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance, mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment, alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.