ALCOHOL CONTROL:
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF ALCOHOL?
High
levels of alcohol consumption can damage organs of the body, as well as causing psychological harm. There is an increased
risk of cancers, liver disease, gastrointestinal complications and high blood pressure. Alcohol is a mood altering substance,
which can lead to loss of control, aggressive behaviour and causes distress to families and others. Alcohol supresses
pain acting as an anaesthetic. It will reduce emotional pain and awkward feelings. Alcohol is
a muscle relaxant, explaining the sense of relaxation that can accompany its consumption. It also produces feelings
of well-being and confidence. Judgement and attention will be affected by even the smallest dose. In high doses
it will cause profound impairments in co-ordination , judgement, attention, speech, memory, as well as causing sedation and
interfering with the body's ability to control temperature. In extremely high doses loss of consciousness and death
will occur. One unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to half a pint of normal strength beer, or a small glass of wine,
or one pub measure of spirits.
It is the amount and not the type of alcohol consumed that can be dangerous to a
person's health.
FOR MEN.
Regular consumption
of 3 to 4 units per day by men of all ages, equals a low level of risk to health.
Consistently drinking more than 4 units
per day is not advised.
Any health benefit from drinking applies only to men over 40. Drinking 1 or 2 units
per day will offer some protection against heart disease.
FOR WOMEN.
Regular consumption of 2 to 3 units per day by women of all ages, equals a low level of risk to health.
Consistently
drinking more than 3 units per day is not advised.
Any health benefit from alcohol applies only to women who have been
through the menopause. Drinking 1 or 2 units per day will offer some protection against heart disease.
Women who
are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not drink more than 2 units of alcohol, once or twice a week.
ALCOHOL
IS A POISON AND THE EFFECTS EXPERIENCED WHEN 'TIPSY' OR DRUNK ARE THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE TOXIC EFFECT IT HAS ON
THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS OF THE BODY. THE MORE ALCOHOL CONSUMED OVER PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME, THE GREATER ARE THE CONSEQUENCES
TO THE LONG TERM HEALTH OF THE DRINKER.
CAUSES OF MORTALITY
KNOWN OR BELIEVEDTO BE RELATED TO ALCOHOL.
1----Cirrhosis
2----Cancer of the oral cavity
3----Cancer of the Pharynx 4----Cancer
of the Oesophogus
5----Cancer of the Liver 6----Cancer
of the Larynx
7----Falls on stairs
8----Other "alcohol-related diseases", includes alcohol dependence syndrome, nondependent use of alcohol, alcoholic
cardiomyopathy, alcoholic liver damage and accidental poisoning by alcohol.
Other consequences of excessive alcohol
consumption can include hypertension, Korsakoff's syndrome (similar to Alzheimer's disease) impotence, loss of libido,
reduction in fertility and diabetes.
BINGE-DRINKING.
Can
be defined as drinking twice (or more) than the recommended daily intake of alcohol in one go. Binge-drinkers are at
increased risk of accidents and alcohol poisoning. Men in particular are more likely to be a victim of violence and
to commit violence. There can be a greater risk of sexual assault. High levels of attendance at A&E are related
to alcohol. Binge-drinking increases the risk of a heart attack, or you could vomit when very drunk, breathe it in and
suffocate.
ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE (ADDICTION).
It is
serious when drinking alcohol takes a high priority in your life. There is a physical and psychological dependence on
alcohol. You drink every day and need a drink to prevent unpleasant withdrawl symptoms. In the UK, about 2 in
100 women and about 6 in 100 men are alcohol-dependent.
ALCOHOL UNITS.
Small glass of wine 125ml at 12% ABV = 1.5 units.
Standard glass of wine 175ml at 12% ABV = 2.1 units.
Large glass of wine 250ml at 12% AVB = 3 units.
Pint of lager, beer or cider at 3.6% AVB =2 units.
Pint
of high strength beer, lager or cider at 5.2% AVB = 3 units.
Bottle of lager, beer or cider 330ml at 5% AVB = 1.7
units.
Can of lager, beer or cider 440ml at 5% AVB = 2 units.
Alcopop 275ml at 5.5% AVB = 1.5 units.
Single small measure of spirits 25ml at 4% AVB = 1 unit.
LOWER RISK.
As a man, you do not drink more than 3-4 units per day on a regular basis. As a woman you do not
drink more than 2-3 units per day on a regular basis. Lower risk means that you have a low risk of causing yourself
future harm.
INCREASING
RISK.
As a man, you drink more than 3-4 units per day on a regular basis. As a woman, you drink
more than 2-3 units per day on a regular basis. Drinking at this level substantially increases the risk of alcohol damaging
your health.
HIGHER RISK.
As a man you regularly drink more than 8 units per day, or more than 50
units per week. As a woman you regularly drink more than 6 units per day, or more than 35 units per week. If you
are in this group, you are at an even greater risk of damaging your health compared to increasing risk drinkers. Your
body may have suffered damage already, even if you are not aware of it.
BE HONEST
WITH YOURSELF AND DECIDE WHICH CATEGORY YOU ARE IN. DO YOU STILL THINK THAT YOU ARE JUST A ' MODERATE'
DRINKER? MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALCOHOL-RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS
AREN'T ALCOHOLICS, THEY ARE SIMPLY PEOPLE THAT HAVE REGULARLY DRUNK MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED LEVELS FOR SOME YEARS.
FOR EXAMPLE, HABITUALLY HAVING A COUPLE OF GLASSES OF WINE WITH EVERY EVENING MEAL ALONG WITH A GLASS OF SPIRIT BEFORE
GOING TO BED, WILL PLACE A PERSON ABOVE THE RECOMMENDED WEEKLY LIMIT. ALCOHOL IS NOT THE ANSWER TO ESCAPE FROM EMOTIONAL
UPSET.
LET HYPNOTHERAPY HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR DRINKING HABIT AND ENABLE YOU TO VIEW ALCOHOL IN A WAY THAT IS HEALTHY
FOR YOU, YOUR WORK, YOUR LIFE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THOSE WHO LOVE YOU.
CONTACT ALEXANDER NOW AND DISCOVER
HOW ALCOHOL CONTROL HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP YOU.