Winners Announced !!Did you know!
Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia.
Often people don’t even think of it as a drug or how dangerous it can be … and for Australian teenagers alcohol is the largest cause of drug related deaths .
What is binge drinking?
Drinking so you deliberately get drunk …. or getting smashed.
Drinking heavily on one occasion, or over a period of time.
Perhaps, someone may not necessarily set out to get drunk, but may be unclear of their limits, resulting in drinking too much over a short period of time.
Is Binge Drinking harmful?
The short answer is YES. It is directly harmful to your health and can contribute to illness and injury to yourself and other
Short term effects of binge drinking
Binge drinking can lead to
- nausea
- shakiness
- hangovers
- vomiting and memory loss
- injury to yourself
- alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol is a major cause of injury and death among young people. When you’re drunk, you’re more likely to put yourself in risky situations, like getting into a car with someone who’s been drinking, or getting into a fight and causing injury to yourself and others.
Long-term effects of binge drinking regularly
Continuous heavy drinking over a long period of time can lead to:
- an addiction to alcohol
- major brain damage
- liver damage
- risk of cancer of the mouth, throat or stomach
- possible increased risk of neurological disorders, heart problems, and sexual problems (especially male impotency)
- risk of depression and anxiety and other mental health problems
- problems at school, work and with relationships.
Binge drinking can also
- Affect your social life and your self esteem.
- Create peer pressure problems. You may start to do things that you will later regret.
- Being drunk affects your judgement and increase the risk of
- Having unprotected sex, or unwanted sex. This might lead to unwanted pregnancy, or STIs.
- Feeling bad about yourself and embarrassed by your actions
- Losing friends or loved ones as a result of your behaviour
- Losing money that you need for other things after reckless spending on alcohol
Benefits of not Binge Drinking
- Less regrets
- More money
- More brain cells
- Decrease risk of injury or death
- Less chance of becoming dependent on an addictive drug
- Healthier relationships
Links
substance.org.au - A link to places to go for help in the Blue Mountains if you are having trouble with alcohol and other drugs
Mountains of Help – Directory and advice about support services for young people in the Blue Mountains
MYST – Mountains Youth Services Team
Tune in tune out ….. Videos, facts and stories about alcohol
The Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre