Having a very, very Merry Christmas?

We're in December. The nights are dark and cold. The year is nearly out. You've worked so hard, but not been able to get that to-do list done before the year is out LIKE EVERY BLOODMIN' YEAR. Festive parties are becoming popular, and what are you gonna have? Larger? Ale? mulled wine, mulled cider, prosecco, maybe a shot of something, vodka, whisky, tequila, suddenly you're blowing dust off that bottle of Bailey's that has been lurking in the cupboard for the past year, and you're getting completely SMASHED.

Below is some information about alcohol, not to stop you from having a boozy festive season, but giving you the facts regarding what makes it BOOZY.

Christmas and New year's is a time for celebration and reflection. Those Christmas work do's and get-togethers with people you've not been able to see all year long can invite drug use. Although not legally classified as a Drug, Alcohol IS one. It's as fun and risky as many of those substances in Class A, B or C.

Alcohol is a pro-social drug. For many it loosens our tongue, it tastes good, makes us more flirtatious and prone to laughter. It's a legal substance that you can buy from almost everywhere. It is readily accessible and available to us. As many of us know, drinking can be an absolute laugh, help us reach those highest highs on a good night, but sometimes alcohol can cause us harm both directly and indirectly.

Techincally speaking, alcohol is a small molecule called Ethanol, and it impacts you every time you drink. When alcohol is drank, it is broken down and it goes into the bloodstream, going to your brain and every part of your body. When people say "WOW That's gone straight to my head!" That's a sign the alcohol is evenly distributed around the whole body. Alcohol takes away our self control, and impacts our normal decision making - hence those drunken make-out sessions, blowing the week's wages and questionable dance moves. Alcohol can give us an illusion of confidence. As we drink we may feel warmer, but our core temperature is decreasing, meaning we may feel safe to sleep in our garden or on the park bench, when it is something that could kill us. Alcohol impacts every cell and organ in our body, and although there is some self care you can do when you're hungover, NOTHING cures a hangover. The hangover is your body's way of saying, "whilst you were laughing and dancing I was taking a beating." Alcohol is toxic, and your body has to work to get it out of your system. Drinking large quanitites in a small time frame can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning, and drinking heavily over months and years can lead to all sorts of health issues, such as developing dependance, addiction, heart diseases and several types of cancers. It is recommended that adults do not consume over 14 units of alcohol a week, and even so, that there should be drink-free days in between. A pint of lower strength beer is already two units, so during a big session it can add up quickly. 

Not only a risk to self, but a risk to the others in the community. Violence, assault, road traffic accidents, verbal confrontations as well as people having to watch those who've dropped a kebab, pick it up and demolish it. Drinking can invite trauma, just as trauma can invite us to drink. Memories of those who are no longer with us, being stuck at home with the annoying family, not feeling able to be who you truly are. Having to sit through Love Actually AGAIN!

We know what it's like to want a big drink, but let's have a go at being safer.  

Some things to keep in mind, a few other things on the menu.

Be aware of the urge to Binge Drink. Perhaps throw in a few soft drinks on your merry way to the high.

Keep track of your drinking - Sometimes we forget what we've had, and if we knew the amount, we may not keep drinking the merry liquid.

Perhaps throw in a few drink free days! To let your body and mind recover.

Talk about your drinking with a trusted friend, if you feel it's getting a bit out of hand.

If someone has passed out due to drinking, do not leave them unattended. As alcohol is a depressant drug, sometimes breathing can slow to a dangerous level, and lead to cardiac arrest.  RECOVERY POSITION. Call an ambulance. 

If you fancy getting on it, and drinking plenty, don't take the piss out of people who want to call it a night, or want to have a soft drink in-between. Have a pause and think, are you contributing to risk in your group?

Perhaps have a pause before your next festive outing, and think about if you're drinking with more risk than you had imagined, and how it could be safer. 

Just because half the country is getting battered, doesn't mean it's safe. 

Happy New year. 

Love from Drug Club