Alcohol
There are a number of reasons why people drink alcohol. In small amounts, alcohol can make a person feel more relaxed and sociable. But alcohol can also make you lose control, become depressed or aggressive, or to take risks that you would otherwise not take.
- Alcohol is a drug with the effects of a depressant. It slows down the activity of the brain, affecting your reflexes and your ability to react. It can also affect your judgement
- How you will be affected depends on many factors, including your weight, sex, the amount you drink, how quickly you drink, the length of time since you ate and whether you are mixing it with other drugs
The fact that you will often see positive advertising about alcohol, that it is legal and that many people drink it, doesn't eliminate the problems it can cause. It is still a drug and it is worth knowing what the risks can be
A worrying trend is the rising number of young people who binge drink. Too much alcohol can lead to:
- Vomiting
- Choking to death if you vomit in your sleep
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Alcohol poisoning - potentially fatal
- Taking risks such as unsafe sex or driving while drunk
- Increased aggression, arguments and assaults
- A coma. This can happen when you mix alcohol with other depressant drugs like heroin or tranquillisers
- Dehydration, overheating or death when mixed with Ecstasy
In the long term, heavy drinking can affect your work and relationships, your physical health (liver damage, mouth and throat cancer and stomach and heart damage) and your mental health (psychological dependency and depression).
If you have a question about alcohol or you need advice or support with an alcohol related problem, try one of the listed websites or contacts.
Depression
Get to know the signs of depression and find out who can help
Healthy eating
Eat well and feel great. Your healthy diet starts here!
Keeping active
Information on how, and why, to keep active
Seeing a doctor
Concerned about your health? Don't be afraid to ask for help!
CASUS - Cambridgeshire Child and Adolescent Substance Use Service
Information, support and specialist treatment around drug and alcohol abuse for young people and their families in Cambridgeshire
Drinksense
Information about drinking
FRANK
Information and advice about drugs
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Drinkline
Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.
Drinksense - Fenland
Support services for people with alcohol related problems
Drinksense - Peterborough
Support services for people with alcohol related problems