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Alcohol Consumption

It is suggested that drinking between 2 and 3 or less units a day for women leads to no significant risks to your health.

1 unit is equivalent to: Half pint of ordinary beer (3.5% ABV)

25ml pub measure of spirit (40% ABV)

125ml glass of wine (11 or 12% ABV)

Benefits

Some studies have shown that people who regularly drink small amounts of alcohol tend to live longer then people who don't drink at all. The main reason for this is that alcohol gives protection against the development of coronary heart disease. However this defence can't be built up in early years of drinking, for women the protective effect is only significant after the menopause.

Risks

Because there are no obvious signs of danger in drinking many people don't consider them. However drinking too much on a regular basis will increase the risks of various types of long term damage to your health, such as raised blood pressure, liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver and cancers of the mouth and throat. Recent report suggest that young women are one of the most 'at risk' groups for developing liver failure due to long-term consistent alcohol use. People who drink very heavily may also develop psychological and emotional problems including depression.

In Britain today many women, particularly young women, are consuming increasing amounts of alcohol. This can lead an inability to judge the risks involved in certain situations and results in women finding themselves in vulnerable positions. In a recent survey of women aged between 18 and 30 (including the most common student age group), 65% of those asked said that they had drunk so much that they often had no memory of the night before. This is not to say that women should stop going out or stop drinking but it is important that women are aware of how vulnerable they can be and that they take measure to reduce the risks to personal safety.

Drug assisted rape is on the increase and alcohol is not only one of the major drugs utilised but it also acts as a vehicle for other drugs to be used. Drink spiking tends to occur when the victim has been drinking alcoholic drinks. Drink spiking is when a drug is put into the drink of another person without their knowledge and results in the victim suffering from loss of control accompanied by memory loss lasting several hours. During these hours the debilitating effects of the drug are often used to assist rape whilst the victim is unable to refuse or fight against it. This is particularly disturbing as it is the result of a deliberate and calculated act. Drink spiking and drug assisted rape is massively on the increase.

It is important that women are aware of the safety risks associated with alcohol consumption. There are a number of practical steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of compromising personal safety. These include:

· Plan your journey or night out.

· Make sure that someone knows where you are going and what time you will be home.

· Arrange or be aware of the planned journey to and from home.

· When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone. Friends can watch out for each other.

· Appoint a nominated drinks-watcher at any one time.

· Remember, alcohol does affect your actions and your reactions as well as your ability to be alert.

· Stay aware of what is going on around you and away from situations that you do not feel comfortable with.

· Never accept a drink from anyone you do not completely trust.

· Do not share or exchange drinks.

· Don't leave your drink unattended, even when going to the toilet.

· Consider very carefully whether you should leave the pub, club or party with someone you have just met.

· If you begin to feel really drunk after only a drink or two seek help from a trusted friend or a member of the club or pub management. It is important to get to a place of safety as soon as possible. This can often signal the early effects of drugs.

· You must be sure you have absolute trust in the person you seek help from no matter how long you have known them.

· Be aware of the behaviour of your friends… look out for each other.

If you want to discuss any of the issues relating to alcohol or drug assisted rape, or if you want information about further contacts get in touch with the women's officer on ext.92197 or drop into see her in the union building (under spar).