1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila, floor
Most people can say they have drunk alcohol at some point in their lives. To many people it's a fun, relaxing way to wind down with friends after a long day. We want to have an open and frank discussion about alcohol that focuses on what we can do to help keep drinking in moderation and focused on the fun times!
The main reason people enjoy drinking is also one of the major reasons that alcohol causes problems – it lowers inhibitions, producing a feeling of carefree relaxation. While this is not necessarily a bad thing in small doses, enough alcohol can bring out a person's less-controlled side, resulting in anything from throwaway kisses, jumping off funces to aggressive fights. Binge drinking is the type of drinking that causes problems - often a person may not even remember what happened the following morning – here's hoping you brought your non-drinking friend to catch you up on last night's events!
Unfortunately, for some people drinking goes from a supporter of good times to an instigator of some things that are dangerous. In the long-term, alcohol dependence can result in a variety of problems, and many people have lost families, jobs, and possessions as a result of their addiction. Cutting back becomes especially hard – alcohol addiction is known to be one of the hardest to crack, and withdrawal symptoms can be a nightmare. That said, if you or someone you know has a drinking problem, get help straight away! There are a number of services available to you, including your local GP.
All this is not to say that drinking is wrong, we just want to have a realistic convo that looks at all the possibilities. Done right, it can help make a good night into a great night, and alongside an awesome group of friends there's no reason not to have a few drinks. Just keep it safe, know your limits, and have a great time!
Want to share your experience and help others know more about alcohol and drunkenness? Maybe you have a few questions and comments of your own? Whatever it is, join us right here on Monday 16th September for the next Getting Real session – it's sure to be a great discussion!
Here's some info to help get your drinking with less risks!
Lol it's just us commenting, maybe the others are out drinking tonight.
Next question!
Drinking with friends can be a lot of fun – but sometimes it can get to a point where things go a little too far. What are the positives and negatives of drinking alcohol?
First time for me was during my friend's birthday party. We were at the city. One of my friends and I got incredibly drunk in a party of around 15. It was quite fun at the time and we brought a lot of laughs at the time. Luckily, we still had the self-control not to disturb other people.
I think alcohol is really popular because it helps people lose their anxieties or inhibitions during a social gathering so it becomes more fun. As to the effects, contrary to what a lot of people may think, alcohol is actually a depressant so slows down the body. As mentioned before, it loosens inhibitions so people become more open than their usual selves.
I agree with both of you! Probably a combination of both. Ok, next question!
when was the first time you experienced the drinking of alcohol? What were your thoughts then? (Your experience or someone else's)
Haha Sophie, I think a lot of people drink for that reason - I remember being pretty curious about what it felt like. The first time I got drunk was...interesting. I had way too much (had no idea how strong it would be!) and luckily I was with some friends, so it was a good night. I was pretty stupid though 😛
We also have this factsheet! http://au.reachout.com/Low-risk-drinking
"Some of our best tips for staying safe when drinking alcohol include:
- Make sure to set and stick to limits
- Try drinking soft drinks and water in between alcoholic drinks
- Avoid drinking too quickly, knocking back drinks quickly makes it harder to know how the alcohol is effecting you
- Eat before or while you drink – preferably not something salty that makes you thirsty
- Stay away from drinking games that make it hard for you to keep track of drinks
- Try doing other things while you drink (like playing pool)
- Learn ways to deal with peer pressure and be aware of how you’re feeling
- Have a friend or friends around that can look after you if you are feeling the negative effects of alcohol such as confusion or nausea"
Hey guys! Welcome to tonight's Getting Real session. I'm Magga, and moderating with me tonight will be Nathan and Sophie. We hope you all have a great time! 🙂
Tonight we'll be talking about alcohol and drunkenness. This is obviously a pretty big issue in youth culture, as many of us have/do drink alcohol. We're not here to tell you it's all bad, though – we prefer to keep a balanced perspective, so we'll be focusing on both the positive and negative aspects of drinking. Try to keep an open mind, and contribute as much as you can! And don't forget, if you feel like things are getting a bit too much to handle, don't be afraid to check out the available support services (http://au.reachout.com/Emergency-Help ). Other than that, enjoy yourselves 🙂
First question for tonight - Why do you think alcohol is so popular? What effect does alcohol have on the body and mind?
