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Tag: Responsible drinking

  • New Drink Driving Rules in NSW

    NSW has introduced tough new drink-driving laws which will result in people caught driving over the alcohol limit to have their licence immediately suspended.

    Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance recently announced the new penalties for any driver, even if they are a first time offender or low-range offender.

    Offending drivers will receive an immediate $561  fine and 3 month licence suspension.

    Mr Constance said the new law sends the message that if you break the law, you will pay the price.He said authorities would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving.

    See more at https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/on-the-road/new-drink-driving-penalties-come-into-effect-in-nsw-today/news-story/0527c9d981497d93c228eb5fd78dfdc6

  • Next Day Drinking Anxiety and Why it Hits

    Is your day-after-drinking hangover usually accompanied by feelings of anxiety, if so you’re not alone.

    According to a professor from Curtin University, Professor Nicole Lee, drinking disrupts the chemicals in your brain. When we drink we have a surge of dopamine which is the feel-good neurotransmitter. But the next day all our chemicals and hormones are out of balance.  Our dopamine is depleted which can make feelings of anxiety worse, that is why we can feel pretty emotional when recovering from a hangover.

    Read more at https://www.nambuccaguardian.com.au/story/5861043/over-the-limit-and-under-the-water-when-fun-turns-fatal/

  • Government Contributes to Development of Anti-Binge Drinking App

    Thousands of Australians will benefit from a new program designed to help them cut down on alcohol, which the federal government has invested in.

    The government pledged $3million towards the program- a mobile app called the Daybreak Program. The app offers access to professional health coaching. It also offers an anonymous support platform.

    Health Minister Greg Hunt recently said of the government’s investment that alcohol is the third highest risk factor for premature death and disease in Australia. He said early intervention is important which is why the government is getting involved.

    Read more at https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/new-online-tool-to-reduce-binge-drinking/news-story/5b0a98aded5446a2766e6790c3208772

  • Summer Responsible Alcohol Consumption Warning

    Australians are being reminded to be responsible when drinking this summer especially given the mix of holidays, celebrations, hot weather and in many cases the beach, pool or some other body of water.

    While Australia’s alcohol consumption rates are declining, especially among the youth, older Australians are continuing to drink at high levels and put themselves at risk.

    We all know the immediate dangers of drinking too much, alcohol poisoning, risky behaviour etc. but what about the long term effects and risk of injuries.

    Cancer and heart disease are just 2 of the diseases linked to alcohol and particularly in Australia alcohol has been linked to drowning deaths.

    According to statistics around 40% of drownings in Australia can be linked to alcohol as we continue to mix alcohol and swimming.

  • Men Alcohol and Sugar Could be Driving Down Your Testosterone

    As a man you know the need for testosterone – it’s vital for a number of things including a lean physique, optimal cognitive function and healthy bones.

    In fact doctors say men with low levels of testosterone can suffer from issues such as loss of lean muscle, increased body fat, fatigue, osteoporosis, low drive and motivation, difficulty concentrating and memory loss.

    There are a few lifestyle factors that impact testosterone levels including chronic stress, lack of physical activity, certain foods and chemicals, as well as environmental factors.

    A recent post on MensHealth.com highlighted the 3 biggest slayers of testosterone ie. Sugar, Alcohol and lack of sleep.

    In fact a study was quoted which claimed that a man’s testosterone level before and after consumption showed a difference of 25%. When blood alcohol levels are high, testosterone is at its lowest.

    Read more at https://www.menshealth.com.au/what-causes-low-testosterone-blockers

  • Don’t Drink and Drive or Ride!

    A warning for people who drink and drive or those who think they can get around the law by riding their horse instead of driving a car or motorbike while intoxicated.

    A 51 year old woman was recently arrested by police in Logan, south of Brisbane after allegedly riding her horse to a tavern while over the legal alcohol limit.

    Police were called to the tavern because the woman didn’t want to leave. When they arrived they found she was intoxicated and riding her horse through the drive-through.

    She was taken back to the station where she returned a blood alcohol reading of .226 per cent – more than 4 times the legal alcohol limit.

    Read more http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-05/woman-charged-riding-horse-four-times-over-legal-limit/9837188

  • Ways to Not Get Too Drunk

    Here’s how to be a “mature” drinker according to Esquire.com

    1. Be the first to drink so you can set the tone and opt for a scotch rather than a Jaegerbomb.
    2. It’s not a competition, don’t try to “outdrink” your friends.
    3. Remember this saying “better a wasted drink than a wasted drinker”.
    4. Count your drinks and if you lose count, you should probably stop.
    5. Know when to quit and go home, there’s no shame in leaving.

    Read more at https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a5897/drunk-mature-0609/

  • Guide To Responsible Drinking

    Don’t let your New Year’s celebrations get out of hand or it may be the last one you’ll see. While food, drinking and fun in the sun are Australian traditions around this time of year, we don’t need to use it as an excuse to indulge too much, especially in alcohol.

    Let’s keep in mind the dangers of excessive drinking, psychologist and public health expert Dr Bosco Rowland said.

    It’s important to know how much is safe to drink. Healthy men and women are advised not to drink more than 2 standard drinks in a day.

    Dr Rowland warned that if a person drinks less than that, he or she reduces their probability of alcohol related diseases such as cancer to one in 100.

    Drinking a maximum of 4 standard drinks in one occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury to one in 100.

    A standard drink consists of 10 grams of alcohol, but the size will vary depending on what you’re drinking.

    Find out more http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-12-23/your-guide-to-drinking-responsibly-during-the-silly-season/8145464

  • Tips for Responsible Drinking

    Practicing responsible drinking is the only way to enjoy alcohol, binge drinking on the other hand leaves behind negative effects that can be felt long after the “buzz” has worn off.

    It is important that drinkers learn about the ways to keep their alcohol intake in check and learn how to drink responsibly.

    Being a responsible drinker involves making sure you’re safe, making sure those around  you are safe, actively avoiding dangerous situations, minimising the risks to yourself and others andhaving a positive overall drinking experience.

    How can you ensure a responsible drinking experience?

    • Be knowledgeable about what you’re drinking. Know what a standard drink is and use it as a way of keeping track of how much you’re drinking. Consider the alcohol content in each drink you consume and make sure that you space out your drinks throughout the night instead of downing them one after the other. Alternate one alcoholic drink with one non-alcoholic one or a glass of water to sustain you over the night. It takes up to an hour for your body to process each unit of alcohol. So have a break between drinks.
    • When drinking shooters or shots, keep in mind that they usually have a higher alcohol content. Also drink water between your drinks to help you keep hydrated and keep the hang over at bay.
    • Avoid mixing alcohol and other drugs. The impact of mixing alcohol and other drugs whether medication or recreational can be devastating and land you in the emergency room. If you’re on medication, check the information in the box to see what it says about drinking alcohol.

    Some of the side effects of combining drinking and drugs include death from internal bleeding, heart problems, difficulty breathing, headaches, drowsiness, fainting and loss of coordination, problems only made worse when behind the wheel of a car.

    • Arrange safe transport home. Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol is a depressant drug which slows down your reaction speed, which means if you need to think and act fast, you probably won’t be able to.  If you’re going out with a group of friends have a designated responsible driver who remains sober and make sure everyone gets home safely.  If no one wants to have a sober night, bring enough money for a taxi.
    • Wait until you’re old enough. Underage drinking is not only against the law, but can be detrimental to your health and physical as well as mental development. Under Responsible Service of Alcohol law serving alcohol to minors carries major fines for workers, management and owners of establishments, but the real cost of serving teenagers are the social consequences, such as teenage drink driving, teenage pregnancy and teenage violence. Teenagers who attempt to buy alcohol can also be fined, as can other parents who attempt to provide alcohol to their children’s friends without their parents’ consent.
    • Finish your drink too quickly and you’ll feel pressured to get another. Instead, make your drink and your evening last longer. Enjoy your drink and your night out by chatting, sipping, snacking, drinking water and getting fresh air.

     

  • Risks Involved with Drink Driving

    One of the aspects of responsible drinking is ensuring that you arrange safe transport home and do not engage in drink driving.

    Although most people think they can handle driving after a few drinks, countless studies (and statistics) have proven that alcohol reduces a person’s ability to drive safely. Even those who show few visible signs of alcohol in their system do not drive as well as usual after drinking. This is because alcohol affects most areas of the brain, and these effects are wide-ranging and impossible to compensate for. The brain being responsible for your movements and reflexes, it becomes difficult to engage in complex tasks once it has been affected by alcohol.

    It is also because alcohol is a depressant which means it has the following effects:

    • Slowing brain function making it difficult to respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly.
    • Reduces a person’s ability to judge how fast they are travelling or the distance from other cars.
    • It gives a person false confidence. People take greater risks because they think their driving is better than it really is.
    • Makes multi-tasking difficult. When it comes to driving, while you concentrate on steering, you could miss seeing traffic lights, cars entering from side streets or pedestrians.
    • Affects the sense of balance which is especially important for motorcycle riders.
    • Causes sleepiness.

    From these effects it becomes obvious that operating any machinery or vehicles once intoxicated is not only irresponsible but selfish because you could do more harm to others than you do to yourself. It is not only car or truck drivers that can injure or kill people and damage property as an incident in Brisbane recently proved. An elderly man was charged with operating his motorised wheelchair while intoxicated. The man was without any remorse although being found to be 4 times over the legal limit. It seems the man’s motorised wheelchair overturned probably due to speeding or reckless driving.

    Read what this post on Brisbanetimes.com.au reported on the incident:

    Ray Vivian Hodges, of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, recorded the alcohol reading after police found him sprawled on the ground, shirtless and mumbling incoherently, beside his overturned scooter at Mooloolaba in late March.

    With the aid of a walking stick, Mr Hodges has faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court for what was his fourth drink-driving charge since 2008.

    Mr Hodges who admitted consuming 10 large glasses of wine, recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.209.

    He had “taken offence” at some police allegations particularly the categorisation of his scooter as a vehicle, saying “on this occasion, the wheelchair was my legs [and] as my legs, it was the only way I could get home”.

    Mr Hodges was disqualified from driving for 18 months and sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for two years.

    Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/elderly-man-nabbed-drink-driving-on-motorised-wheelchair-20130416-2hx8b.html#ixzz2QhgXkVBE

    The magistrate said that in light of the recent death of a scooter rider, Kim Horrigan, who was hit by a van at Currimundi, people like Mr Hodges need to be stopped before they kill themselves or someone else.