Alcohol The Facts July 2007
Some scarry facts:-
A recent study showed that in Scotland 57% of 13 year olds and 59% of 15 year olds had drank alcopops in the previous week. One in seven 15 year olds who had drunk alcohol reported having unprotected sex as a result. In 2002 an estimated 50 people died in drunk driving accidents. One in three prisoners believed that alcohol was a factor in their being in prison. In 2003/2004 there were 26,010 patients were admitted to hospital with alcohol related disorders.
Did you know:-
Your body takes 1 hour to process 1 unit of alcohol. Take a soft drink in between an alcoholic one, you don?Äôt have to keep up with the fastest drinkers. Many young people have their first sexual experience when under the influence of alcohol and many teenage pregnancies are the result. When young people get into trouble with the police, alcohol is often involved. Alcohol is a depressant drug and slows the body functions down. Alcohol affects women more and for longer than men. The less you weigh the greater the effect of alcohol on the body. Each year 1000 young people need emergency hospital treatment for acute alcohol poisoning. Alcohol is high in calories, 1 pint of beer = 1 chocolate bar = ¬? a pint of full fat milk.
Remember
You don?Äôt have to have to drink alcohol, if you don?Äôt want to. It is your life so make your own choices! A hang over is no fun and being sick is not very cool. There are alternatives to alcohol, soft drinks; you could try drinking low alcohol drinks instead. Know the strength of your drink and stick to lower strength drinks.
Planning to have a drink?
Lining your stomach before drinking alcohol helps you last the night, so eat something before you go out. Make sure that you have made arrangements to get home before you go out, and keep together in a crowd, don?Äôt split of on your own.
Alcohol is measured in units:-
Half a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a single nip = 1 unit. 1 can of tenants = 4 units. 1 bottle of Hooch = 1.5 units. ¬? a bottle of Vodka = 15 units. The low risk limits recommended by the Royal Medical Colleges are 14 units for women and 21 units for men in one week.
Useful Websites (if applicable)
http://www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk