Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Grog, pissed, shots, tinnies, ***, good times, doing stupid things, dangerous things,
thinking stupid things are funny, parties, mates, fun, isolation, intoxication, getting
a little bit too confident, violence, drama, clubbing, getting aggressive, bingeing, making
mistakes, spending lots of money, vomiting, headaches, wasted.
Alcohol. Strategies to keep on top of your drinking.
Hey guys, Dylan Lewis here with the low down on alcohol.
The legal age for drinking is 18, we know that. But let's face it -- lots of young people
get into alcohol earlier than that.
So what difference does it make when you start drinking anyway?
Well the fact is, alcohol is toxic to the developing brain. Woah -- sounds heavy, but
it's true.
In the short term, it might affect your memory, your ability to handle complex thought processes.
And it might be harder for you to recognise risky situations.
In the long term, alcohol can mess with your mood and cause anxiety, depression or other
mental health hassles.
Statistics show that the longer you wait before getting into alcohol, the more opportunity
your brain has to develop properly.
And having a healthy brain gives you a much better chance of living a happier life.
That's why planning how you'll deal with alcohol is so important. Good planning means better
decisions.
I've got some tips for you. Ready? Go!
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. Eat some souvlaki, smash a pie.
Drink water as you go. This keeps you hydrated, slows down your alcohol intake, and can reduce
the severity of a hangover.
Set yourself a limit. When you reach it, switch to water or soft drink or step things down
with a low-alcohol drink, like light beer or save some cash and sit out the next round.
Choose a cut-off time, so you know when to stop ordering drinks.
Look out for the physical signs that you might've had enough.
Are you feeling full? Are you talking more than usual?
Is your co-ordination getting a bit dodgy? Do you feel light-headed?
Are you making a lot of trips to the bathroom?
And, your reaction time slows down heaps when you drink, so driving is definitely a bad
idea. When you go out and you get wasted, there's
less chance you'll be able to enjoy, or remember hanging with your mates, getting on the dance
floor or meeting new people.
It can get pretty messy, and you may end up doing, or saying stuff that you wish you hadn't.
Okay, sometimes it can feel like your body handles alcohol without any problems.
Sure, you're young. You feel like Superman. Maybe you'll dodge the hangover.
But the fact is, your brain is still getting slammed. Yep. Slammed.
So how do you know if alcohol is turning into a problem for you or your mates?
You might be finding it harder to concentrate on study or work, or you might just be feeling
more edgy and irritable.
You might be thinking a lot about drinking.
You might have to drink more to get the 'buzz', or be finding it difficult to stop once you've
started.
And, if you're drinking on your own or often feeling hung over, that's definitely a sign
that things aren't right.
Ask yourself, are you treating your body and brain with respect?
Is alcohol affecting your relationships in a bad way?
Is it making you act like a bit of a tool? Are you using alcohol to deal with some other
difficulty in your life?
If alcohol is a problem or you're just concerned about your drinking, talking about it makes
a massive difference. Your mates or a family member are a good place to start.
Think about seeing your school counsellor, social worker or doctor.
Check out your local headspace centre or log on to eheadspace. These services are totally
confidential, and they're free.
So when it comes to alcohol, be responsible and be smart.
Keep yourself healthy and look after your brain. Love your brain. You've only got one.
Love your brain.