Alcohol is the most readily available drug in Australia and is the first drug that most young Australians try. Just like any other drug, it's important to know the facts about drinking alcohol.
Alcohol is pretty much everywhere in Australia. It's also called booze, grog, piss. It is a depressant drug which means it slows down your body’s response to things. It is legal to buy if you are over 18 but not legal to drink in a public place.
In small amounts alcohol can relax you, make you more confident, reduce concentration and affect your balance. If you have too much you can feel sick, vomit, lose control of your body (muscles and bladder). Too much alcohol can even cause seizures, irregular or shallow breathing, bluish or pale skin, or loss of consciousness. An ambulance should be called if anything like this happens.
If you use alcohol then if nothing else, make sure you know these ways to be as safe as possible.
- Set limits about how much you’ll drink
- Monitor how much you drink.
- Drink slowly and space drinks out with non-alcoholic drinks
- Do not mix alcohol with other drugs
- Drink with someone who is staying sober
- Avoid shouts or rounds
- Drink slowly
- Do not drive
- Call an ambulance if you or someone is in trouble
Want more? This info is the bare minimum to give you the heads up. The ADF have heaps of comprehensive info here and we recommend this video from Turning Point. It explains the effect of alcohol on the teenage brain.
