Alcohol affects people in different ways while some people can drink responsibly others are putting themselves at risk.
At Port Moresby General Hospital we see alcohol related accidents every day, many of which could be avoided. Your health and safety are always the number one priority it is important to always think before you drink!! Anyone who drinks heavily or drinks too much in one session (commonly known as binge drinking) is at risk of both immediate and long-term alcohol-related harm to one’s health and wellbeing. Heavy alcohol consumption can result in confusion, blurred vision, poor muscle control, nausea, vomiting, and coma. It can also impair a person’s judgment and decision-making capacity, which can increase the risk that they put themselves/or others in dangerous situations such as being involved in crime, violent activity, accidents, drink driving and even death. If you feel unable to drink alcohol responsibly, you may benefit from talking to your doctor about alcoholism (addiction to the consumption of alcohol or alcohol dependency).
Alcohol Guidelines –
Alcohol Guidelines have been developed by medical experts to help reduce the short-term and long-term health risks associated with alcohol misuse. It is important to remember that the Guidelines are general in nature and may need to be interpreted differently for certain individuals.
Reduce Your Risk of Alcohol-Related Harm - The risk of alcohol-related injury increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related harm arising from that occasion.
Children and Young People Under the age of 18 - For children and young people under 18 years of age, not drinking alcohol is the safest option. A young person’s brain is particularly at risk for alcohol-related harm as it is still developing.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding – How can a mum’s drinking can have serious consequences on her baby’s growth and development? The more you drink when you're pregnant, the greater the risk you are taking with your baby’s health. Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and small birth weight are all associated with alcohol use during pregnancy. Fetal exposure to alcohol is also the leading known cause of intellectual disability. For women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding avoiding alcohol is the safest option.
Alcohol and Driving - Alcohol can impair coordination and judgment, and is a major cause of road injury. Even after just a few drinks, your driving ability is affected. The more you drink, the higher your blood alcohol concentration, and the greater your chance of having an accident. Never drink and drive.
The Effects of Alcohol on the Body -
As well as the recognised immediate effects of drinking too much, such as nausea and vomiting, binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking can take a serious toll on your health. Here’s how alcohol can affect your body:
Brain – Binge drinking can cause blackouts, memory loss, and anxiety. Long-term drinking can result in permanent brain damage, serious mental health problems and alcohol dependence. Alcohol can damage parts of the brain, affecting behavior and the ability to learn, memory as well as interfering with the brain’s communication pathways which can affect the way the brain looks and works, disrupting mood, behavior, ability to think clearly and loss of coordination.
Cancers – Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing some cancers, particularly cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bowel, liver and breast. It is not just heavy drinking that increases cancer risk. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of cancer, and the more you drink, the greater the risk.
Heart and Circulation – Alcohol can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It also weakens heart muscles, which can affect the lungs, liver, brain and other body systems, and also cause heart failure. Binge drinking and drinking heavily over longer periods can cause the heart to beat irregularly (arrhythmia) and has been linked to cases of sudden death.
Lungs – People who drink heavily are more likely to suffer collapsed lungs and pneumonia.
Liver – Drinking heavily or excessively can cause Alcoholic Hepatitis (inflamed liver), which can result in liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Women are particularly susceptible to the effects of alcohol on the liver.
Stomach – Alcohol can cause pain, vomiting, diarrhea, gastritis, ulcers, bleeding, inability to absorb and digest vital nutrients as well as an increased risk of cancer.
Pancreas – Heavy or prolonged use of alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can be fatal.
Intestines – Heavy drinking may result in ulcers and cancer of the colon. It also affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins.
Kidneys – Heavy drinking can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure which is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
Bones – Alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium. As a result, your bones can become weak and thin (osteoporosis).
Weight Gain – Alcohol is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain.
Sexual Health - Binge drinking can affect your judgment which can make you less likely to use a condom during sexual activity, which increases your risk of STD’s such as chlamydia, HIV and can also lead to unplanned pregnancy. Heavy alcohol use in men can cause impotence, lowered sex drive and infertility and can cause infertility in women. Women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant should avoid alcohol completely.
Immune System - Drinking heavily can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for diseases.
Mental Health - Many People think that alcohol helps in coping with difficult situations/emotions and stress however alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, personality disorders and schizophrenia.
Sleep – Excessive drinking can disrupt normal sleeping patterns, resulting in insomnia and a lack of restful sleep, which can contribute to stress and anxiety.
Other Effects – Alcohol affects the parts of your brain that control judgment, concentration, coordination, behaviour, and emotions. If you binge drink, you may be at greater risk of: becoming a victim of crime, being involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour, being involved in an accident, losing your job, and damaging relationships with family or friends.
Tips for Safer Alcohol Use -
While alcohol affects each of us differently, there are steps you can take to make sure you moderate your drinking. Some of the simple things you can do include:
- Set yourself limits and stick to them
- Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Drink slowly
- Try drinks with a lower alcohol content
- Have something to eat while or before you have an alcoholic drink to slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
- Dilute your alcoholic drink by adding water or ice.
- Don’t drink and drive
- Drink water between every alcoholic drink
- Never accept a drink from someone you don't know
- Always keep your drink with you to minimise the risk of drink spiking
- Do not drink if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Respect the rights of individuals who do not wish to drink
- Drugs and alcohol don't mix
- Always keep track of how many drinks you have consumed.
Tip: If you don’t feel able to drink responsibly, it might mean you need to seek some outside advice, please speak to your doctor at your local Urban Health Clinic.