Alcohol – booze, bevy, tipple

What is it?

Alcohol is the oldest and most widely available drug in the world. It is found in drinks like beer, cider, lager, alcopops, wines and spirits. Alcoholic drinks come in different strengths, which is measured by % average by volume (ABV). A unit is a way of measuring how much ‘pure alcohol’ there is in a drink. The Government recommends that men over the age of 18 drink no more than 21 units per week and that women over the age of 18 drink no more than 14 units per week.

See how they add up with the Unit Calculator

What are the effects?

Alcohol is a depressant drug and slows down parts of the body, such as; heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Alcohol can affect everyone differently and depends on a number of factors such as; the strength of the drink, the persons body weight, when they last ate, how fast they drink, the persons mood and their surroundings.

What are the risks?

Women get drunk quicker than men due to them having a higher percentage of body fat than men. Long term drinking can lead to liver, heart and stomach problems. Overdose can lead to loss of consciousness and users risk choking to death on their own vomit. It can also lead to alcohol poisoning which can be fatal. When you are drunk you are more likely to take risks, which could lead to unsafe sex, STIs, unwanted pregnancies and accidents.

The law

It’s complicated! Just remember that it is illegal for someone under the age of 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-license or supermarket. It is also illegal for someone else to knowingly buy alcohol for someone under the age of 18 years. A lot of local authorities have now made it illegal to drink alcohol on the streets.