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Alcohol is a depressant drug - not a stimulant
as many people think.
Alcohol slows down activity in the central nervous system,
including the brain.
In small quantities, depressants such as alcohol cause people to
become relaxed and lower their inhibitions.
In larger quantities, depressants can cause unconsciousness and
death. Benzodiazepines, heroin and cannabis are all depressant
drugs.
Use
Alcohol is
the most widely used mood altering drug in
Australia.
Most people
who drink alcohol consume it on a weekly
basis.
Males are more likely than females to drink
weekly.
Even though the legal age for alcohol consumption is 18, the
average initiation age for drinking alcohol is 17.1
years.
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Short Term Effects
The effects of alcohol vary from person to
person.
This is dependant on factors such
as:
-
How much is
drunk
-
How quickly the alcohol is
consumed
-
Whether the alcohol is consumed with other
drugs
-
Age, sex and
weight
-
General health status
and
-
Tolerance to alcohol (how often the person drinks
alcohol)
The immediate effects of alcohol may
include:
-
Reduced
concentration
-
Slower
reflexes
-
Relaxation
If the person continues to
drink alcohol more effects will be felt such
as:
-
Increased
confidence
-
Reduced
coordination
-
Slurred
speech
-
Intensity of
moods
Further consumption of alcohol at this stage
may lead to confusion and blurred vision, nausea, vomiting and
possibly even coma or death.
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Long Term Effects
Heavy consumption of alcohol over long periods of time
may cause damage to many parts of the
body.
Impairment of brain and liver functions can be
permanent.
Emotional difficulties such as depression
and relationship problems are also likely.
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Tolerance and
dependence
People who drink heavily usually develop a
tolerance to alcohol, meaning they need to drink more to feel the
same effect.
This results in people being able to consume large
amounts of alcohol without appearing to be intoxicated. However, the
amount of alcohol consumed may still damage their
health.
People who drink regularly may become dependent on
alcohol. This dependence may be psychological, physiological or
both.
People who are physiologically dependent on
alcohol often find that drinking alcohol becomes far more important than other activities in their life.
Their bodies are unused to functioning without alcohol
present.
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Withdrawal
If an alcohol dependent person suddenly
stops drinking alcohol they will experience withdrawal.
Symptoms of withdrawal may
include:
-
Loss of
appetite
-
Nausea
-
Anxiety
-
Insomnia
-
Irritability
-
Confusion
-
Tremors
-
Sweating
Severe cases of alcohol withdrawal may
cause:
-
convulsions,
-
cramps,
-
vomiting,
-
delusions,
-
hallucinations
or
-
death.
A person considering withdrawing from
alcohol should visit their doctor first.
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Treatment
There are a
number of treatment options available for alcohol dependence
including:
-
Counselling
-
Withdrawal
(detoxification)
-
Pharmacotherapy (such as acamprosate or
naltrexone)
-
Residential
rehabilitation
-
'out-patient' programs
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Standard Drinks
Image courtesy of the National Alcohol
Campaign, Australian Department of Health and
Ageing
(Southcity Clinic
acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Drug Foundation in compiling this information)
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