Grog, pissed, shots, tinnies, booze, good times,
doing stupid things, dangerous things,
thinking that stupid things are funny, parties, mates,
fun, isolation, intoxication, getting a little bit
too confident, violence, drama,
clubbing, getting aggressive, bingeing,
making mistakes, spend lots of money,
vomiting, headaches, wasted, alcohol,
strategies to keep on top of your drinking.
- Hey guys, Dylan Lewis here, with the low down on alcohol.
The legal age for drinking is 18, we know that,
but let's face it, lots of young people
get into alcohol earlier than that.
So what difference does it make
when you start drinking, anyway?
Well, the fact is, alcohol is toxic to the developing brain.
Whoa, sounds heavy! But it's true!
In the short term, it might affect your memory,
your ability to handle complex thought processes,
and it might be harder for you
to recognise risky situations.
In the long term, alcohol can mess with your mood,
and cause anxiety, depression,
or other mental health hassles.
Statistics show that the longer you wait
before getting into alcohol, the more opportunity
your brain has to develop properly,
and having a healthy brain gives you a much better chance
of living a happier life. That's why planning
how you'll deal with alcohol is so important.
Good planning means better decisions.
I've got some tips for ya. Ready? Go.
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach,
eat some souvlaki, smash a pie,
drink water as you go. This keeps you hydrated,
slows down your alcohol intake,
and can reduce the severity of a hangover.
Set yourself a limit. When you reach it,
switch to water or soft drink, or step things down,
with a low-alcohol drink, like light beer,
or save some cash and sit out the next round.
Choose a cut-off time, so you know
when to stop ordering drinks. Look out
for the physical signs that you might have had enough.
Are you feeling full? (belch)
Are you talking more than usual?
Is your coordination getting a bit dodgy?
Do you feel light-headed?
Are you making a lot of trips to the bathroom?
Yep, sorry, I'll be back in a tick!
And your reaction time slows down heaps when you drink,
so driving is definitely a bad idea.
When you go out and you get wasted,
there's less chance you'll be able to enjoy,
or remember, hanging with your mates,
getting on the D-floor, dance floor,
or, meeting new people.
It can get pretty messy, and you may end up
doing or saying stuff that you wish you hadn't.
Lame!
Okay, sometimes it can feel like your body handles alcohol
without any problems. Sure, you're young,
you feel like Superman!
How's the song go? (SINGS)
Maybe you'll dodge the hangover.
But the fact is, your brain is still getting slammed.
Yup, slammed!
So how do you know if alcohol
is turning into a problem for you or your mates?
You might be finding it harder to concentrate
on study or work, or you might just be feeling
more edgy and irritable. You might be thinking a lot
about drinking, you might have to drink more
to get the buzz, or be finding it difficult
to stop once you've started.
And, if you're drinking on your own,
or often feeling hung-over,
that's definitely a sign that things aren't right.
Ask yourself, are you treating your body
and brain with respect? Is alcohol affecting
your relationships in a bad way?
Is it making you act like a bit of a tool?
Are you using alcohol to deal with some
other difficulty in your life? If alcohol is a problem,
or you're just concerned about your drinking,
talking about it makes a massive difference.
Your mates or a family member are a good place to start.
Think about seeing your school counsellor,
social worker, or doctor.
Check out your local headspace centre,
or log on to eheadspace.
These services are totally
confidential, and they're free.
So, when it comes to alcohol, be responsible,
and be smart, keep yourself healthy,
and look after your brain. Love your brain,
you've only got one! Love your brain! Yes.