Information
on Alcohol misuse
The Quicklist...
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Alcoholism is an illness. It can happen to anyone.
But you're not an alcoholic, right - How do you know? If you can answer yes to any ONE of these questions maybe it's time you took a serious look at what your drinking might be doing to you, or others.
- Do you get drunk when you drink even when you don't mean to?
- Do you drink because you have problems? To relax?
- Do you drink when you get mad at other people, your friends or parents?
- Do you prefer to drink alone rather than with others?
- Do you have a loss of memory due to your drinking?
- Do you think it is cool to be able to HOLD your liquor?
- Do you gulp your drinks?
- Do you ever try not to drink, or drink less, and fail?
- Are your grades starting to slip because of drinking?
- Do you ever get into trouble when you're drinking?
- Have you had a drink in the morning, before school or work?
- Do you lie about your drinking?
"I can quit anytime I want to... I just don't want to right now... I am in complete control..."
Alcohol Overdose: Lethal/Loaded
It's true - Too much Booze in your system can Kill. Most people do not
realize how much alcohol the human body can handle. Most people do not
realize that many people actually die from drinking too much, too quickly.
- A significant number of people die each year from choking on their vomit DUE TO ALCOHOL POISIONING.
If you miss the death or coma part and actually wake up: here is what happens at the hospital after a serious night of drinking
- Large plastic IV thing is stuck in your arm and fluids are flushed through your body quickly
- If patient freaks out they restrain you with leather straps.
- A big metal or plastic thing is shoved down your throat to administer charcoal
- Most people also puke constantly while all of the above is going on.
- Then you are Catheterised (a medical term for; inserting a tube-like thing into your Urethra*.
- Then they suck all sorts of blood out of you, with needles, to check alcohol poison levels.
*Definition: Urethra, the canal which in most mammals discharges urine from the bladder -ouch!
Some people become violent after they have been drinking because their capacity to control their emotions has become impaired. Many times we see a "change in identity" in a person. We hear things like "whenever he's drunk he gets into a fight" or "she is normally such a quiet person, but when she drinks..." This Jekyl and Hyde behaviour is not good. If you have the Jekyl & Hyde behaviour when you drink (or know someone who does) it is a good idea to talk to someone you trust about it. Being violent can result in fines, getting arrested, getting expelled, or seriously hurting yourself or others.
- Percentage of violent crime that is booze related: 30%-50%
- The majority of emergency room visits during the weekend nights are alcohol related.
"This town sucks. It's Boring, there is nothing to do! That's why I drink!"
These are just some of the things available to do in most towns in Canada.
- Art
- Music Jams
- Skiing
- Basketball
- In-Line Skating
- School Sports
- Dance
- School Band
- Hiking Club
- Theatre Group
- Poetry Reading
- Community Volunteerism
- Create a Youth Newspaper
- Choir Groups
- Library
- Stage Crew Volunteer
- Argument Club (debating team)
- Science Clubs
- Critical Thinking Group
- Language Clubs.
- Fine for underage drinking: $130
- Fine for drinking in public place: $130
That party cost $700,000
"Party at my place!!!!!! well my parents place really, Like I have a Mortgage?"
There is a time and a place for booze, and one of those times and places is at a party. - Right?
In Ontario: You can be sued (and sued big time) if you host a party and someone gets hurt. EVEN if they came to your party already drunk. Example of one of many REAL legal cases in Ontario. This guy's son had a party on his family's property. One of the guys at the party got drunk and started a fight . The guy who he picked the fight with ends up as a quadriplegic as a result of the scrap. (Quadriplegic means the guy no longer has the use of his arms and legs among other things.) The guy who is now a Quadriplegic sues the guy who threw the party claiming the guy who threw the party should have realized that the party could become potentially dangerous. - He sues the guy's parents because they own the property. The Guy settled out of court for $700,000.
Moral of the story:
If you throw a party on your property you are responsible for every bone
- headed, stupid, drunken prank, fight, car crash, property damage, that
happens on the property and off the property as a result of drunken idiots
who drank too much at your party. Whether you think it sounds fair or
not - it's the law. Deal with it.
Drinking alcohol can set you up to be a victim of sexual assault,or someone who commits rape.
Regardless of how much a woman drinks, a man is never justified in forcing sex on her if she resists or says "no" or if she is under the influence of alcohol. Be very wary of guys giving you free alcohol! If a guy keeps giving you free drinks all night - it doesn't mean he loves you.... he's trying to get you drunk enough to get you to have sex.
90% of rapes among young people involve alcohol use by the victim or perpetrator.
60% of college women diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases were drunk at the time of infection. Percentage of violent incidents experienced by women involving booze: 40%.
Are you at risk of injuries or serious consequences related to alcohol? FIND OUT?
- Have I ever been sick because of drinking?
- Have I ever got into a fight or argument while drinking?
- Have I ever skipped school to go drinking?
- Have I ever received a lower grade because of drinking?
- Do I mix alcohol with other activities like, skiing, swimming, boating, snow mobiling, sports?
- Am I under19 years or age and drink every weekend?
- Has my drinking ever resulted in unplanned or unprotected sex?
- Have I ever been drinking when I was babysitting or at work ?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, you are putting yourself and others at risk.
As if you didn't know! The question is why are you exposing yourself to danger, loss, injury and other negative things? Your life. Your choice - Try to lower your risk factor.
There are some people who should not drink alcohol or should limit their drinking to only one or two drinks because every time they drink,- they increase their risk factor.
- Fine for drinking in public place $105
- Percentage of drownings involving Booze: 30%-40%
- Fine for underage drinking: $120
- 90% of rapes among young people involve alcohol use by the victim or perpetrator
- Alcohol poisoning can kill
- Number of advertisements a child has seen proclaiming the appeal of booze: 100,000
- Insurance cost for six months after you have been convicted of Drunk Driving : $8000
- Calories in one Beer: 150
- 30 to 40 % of falls causing injury involve booze
- 60% of college women diagnosed with sexually transmitted Diseases were drunk at the time of infection
- Percentages of violent incidents experienced by women involving booze: 40%
- Percentage of child abuse cases that are booze related: 30%
- Percentage of violent crime that is booze related: 40+%
Research:
If you want information
here are some sources
- FOCUS: www.focus-alcohol.org
- Bacchus: www.bacchus.ca
- Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse: www.ccsa.ca
- Alcohol Policy Network: www.apolnet.web.net
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: www.camh.net
FOCUS is a community-based project created to address substance abuse and injury prevention in Grey and Bruce. www.focus-alcohol.org
Bacchus Canada is a University and College alcohol education group committed to promoting the responsible decisions regarding the use or misuse of alcohol among college and university students. Bacchus Website: www.bacchus.ca
Grey Bruce Public Health Unit Provides the community with education and information on the prevention of Alcohol Abuse and other drugs. Owen Sound: (519)376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 Walkerton: (519)881-1920 or 1-800-821-7714
ARAPO: Association to Reduce Alcohol Promotion in Ontario is a provincial association of people concerned about the influence of alcohol advertising on society's attitudes and choices about alcohol use. (416) 367-3313 or 1-800-267-6817
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Information line 1-800-463-6273
CHOICES: Drug & Alcohol Counselling for Youth Provides drug and alcohol assessment, referral, counselling and information for youth and their families. (519)371-5487 or 1-800-265-3133
Alcoholics Anonymous: Provides help to people whose lives have been deeply affected by drinking. (519)376-4193 (Please do not call this number for 'research material'. This is a line to help people with alcohol problems.)
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Infoline: Confidential, anonymous, toll-free and open 24 hours. Call for information about treatment services in Ontario. 1-800-565-8603
The problem with problems is you don't know they are problems until they become problems.