LEGAL BUT LETHAL

ALCOHOL is the most socially accepted substance across the world. It has been in existence for many years since ancient times and it has been a part of our lives since then.

It has been used for many different reasons: rituals, religious reasons, celebrations, or even just personal use; alcohol has closely been connected to our lives. Even today, it remains widely used and legally accepted, with conditions.

Despite being accepted in our society, there are still risks associated with use of alcohol, especially if a lot of alcohol is used in a short period of time with the intention of getting drunk (binge drinking). This is very common in Botswana where a lot of people would be sober during the week and drink a lot on weekends. It is therefore important to understand responsible use of alcohol compared to binge drinking.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

Responsible drinking can best be defined as “consuming one standard drink” in an hour. The recommended safe limits of drinking alcohol are 14 drinks per week for men (not more than 5 drinks a day) and 7 drinks per week for women (not more than 4 drinks a day). This does not apply to pregnant women, persons under the legal drinking age, those with health-related problems that can be worsened by drinking, or those on medication.

WHAT IS A STANDARD DRINK?

The following is a standard drink related to the different types alcohol beverages mostly used.

Tips for responsible drinking

• Have a full meal before you drink.

• Sip drinks rather than gulping.

• Drink plenty of water. Having water before you sleep can also reduce chances of getting headaches in the morning.

• Pace yourself to not more than 1 drink per hour to ensure your body does not become over intoxicated.

• Avoid drinking more than your friends as you might end up binging on alcohol.

• Stick to one kind of beverage. Try not to mix your drinks, because you’re only adding to the alcohol that your body has to deal with. That way you know what and how much you are drinking.

• Know your limits and pay attention to any signs of excessive drinking such as nausea, headaches, difficulty sleeping, dizzy spells and memory blackouts.

• If you are drinking and you need to travel, use a cab or ask a sober friend to transport you

WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?

This is the act of drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time with the primary intention of getting drunk in a single drinking occasion.

WHY DO PEOPLE BINGE DRINK?

• Peer pressure

• Alcohol consumption is made to seem attractive and fun

• Curiosity: people want to know what it’s like to drink or feel drunk

• They believe it will make them feel good

• They may look at alcohol as a way to reduce stress, even though it can end up creating more stress

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE BINGE DRINK?

Drinking too much has a significant effect on the physical body, including the nervous system.

Physical side effects of binge drinking:

• Shaking

• Vomiting

• Stroke

• Sleeping problems

• Alcohol poisoning

• Heart attack

• Sexual dysfunctions

Binge drinking also has psychological side effects, these include:

• Hallucinations

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Extreme nervousness which might affect the mind

• Suicidal attempts

• Psychological dependence

Binge drinking is associated with other health-related problems, including:

• Unintentional injuries (e.g. car accidents, falls, burns, drowning)

• Intentional injuries (e.g. assault, domestic violence)

• Risky sexual behaviours (e.g. unprotected sex increasing individuals chances of HIV infection/re-infection, susceptibility to being raped while intoxicated)

What else do I need to know about binge drinking?

• The more alcohol in the body, the more drunk a person becomes, and the longer it takes for the alcohol to leave the body.

• Many people start off binge drinking which in the long run may lead to alcohol addiction.

• Binge drinking can happen at any stage of your life; it’s not just a problem faced by the youth or underage drinkers.

• Binge drinking can affect other areas of a person’s life such as finances, relationships, work performance and general decline in productivity.

Alcohol reacts differently to different people. If you drink, it is important to understand how alcohol affects you and if you find that it is difficult to control how you drink no matter how you try, then seek help.

BOSASNET offers counselling services to people experiencing problems with substance use, depression, anxiety, stress, anger management and adjustment issues. If you think that you might have a problem mentioned above, or if you have a friend or family member who does, we encourage you to seek help. For some, it can mean the difference between life and death. You can find BOSASNet on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok or call us on 3959119 or 72659891 for more information.