Managing alcohol
Alcohol is our favourite drug. Most people associate it with fun, with being sociable and with celebrations. We may also use it to help us feel better when we are tense or unhappy, or to feel more confident.Social drinking can be extremely pleasurable and, in moderation, may even have health benefits. One snag is that, although alcohol initially acts as a 'pick-you-up' and mood - enhancer, it is ultimately a depressant; so a heavy night drinking is likely to leave you feeling worse rather than better. Also, the more you drink, and the more often you drink, the more of it you need to feel the same effects. Over a period of time habitual over-consumption can have a wide range of consequences - social, psychological and physical. Individuals often are not aware how much they are drinking or its impact on those around them.
If you have picked up this leaflet it may be through idle curiosity or perhaps you are worried about your own drinking or that of a friend or relative. It has been estimated that on a typical day 10,000 people in the UK seek help for their own, or a friend's or relative's alcohol difficulties.
The picture amongst students
As a student you are particularly vulnerable. If you are away from the family home and in a new environment, there are all sorts of new experiences to be sampled, but there are many sources of potential stress as well. You may find yourself (perhaps for the first time) insecure about your academic ability. You may have to manage your life in ways that you did not have to before. It can be hard to balance work and social commitments. You may worry about money, or social skills, or sexual attractiveness or performance.In a survey of second year students in 10 UK universities1 , 11% were 'non-drinkers', 89% 'drinkers'. Looking at the drinkers group:
- 61% of men and 48% of women regularly exceeded recommended limits of 14 units a week for women, 21 units for men.
- 15% reported hazardous drinking (more than 51 units a week for men and 36 units for women).
- 28% reported' binge' drinking
This is perhaps not surprising. Much of university and college social life seems to be centred on college bars or pubs. Peer groups often support excessive intake and may resist or scorn any attempt to cut down on drinking. Youth culture is partly about risk taking and pushing limits, but being away at university means that familiar and respected figures that might have offered help and guidance may not be around.
Respect for others
Students who drink can often offend others who do not, simply by making the assumption that everyone drinks. There are many reasons for not drinking, including a person's preference, faith or culture, or factors like intolerance to smoky environments. So when you are arranging social events or meetings, go out of your way to include others and respect their choices. Why should students who dislike pubs or bars have to miss out and be socially marginalised?Measuring your intake
If you are concerned about your drinking or that of a friend, there are simple things that you might want to bear in mind.Consumption is normally measured in 'units'. A unit is the equivalent of half a pint of 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) of beer, lager or cider. It is also equivalent to a 25ml shot of spirits of 40% ABV, or a small glass of wine at 9% ABV.
Provided that you have no liver damage, it will take about an hour for your body to break down and metabolise one unit. However, the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream at any one time is dependent on many factors in addition to the amount you drink, such as body size, weight, stomach content, and rate of drinking. Women have consistently higher blood alcohol levels for the same amount ingested because of their lower body water component.
Safe Limits
It is generally believed that alcohol is safe to drink at levels of up to 2-3 units per day if you are a woman, 3-4 if you are a man (i.e. up to 2 pints a day). There is an increasing risk to your health if you are consistently consuming over these levels. After a period of intoxication, it is strongly advised that you avoid alcohol completely for at least 48 hours to allow time for liver damage to recover.Binge drinking, i.e. drinking a great deal in read more
