A few too many….
The dangers of binge drinking have been hitting the headlines
recently and young people in the UK are apparently the third worst
binge drinkers in the EU, and hundreds of young people are in
treatment to tackle alcohol problems! Although binge drinking is
undoubtedly a problem, not all teenagers binge drink.
The following advice should help if you ever feel tempted:
Accidents happen:
Around 20-30% of all accidents involve alcohol. When you drunk,
you're more likely to harm yourself by stepping out into moving
traffic or going along for a drunken ride – leading to some
devastating consequences
Crime time:
Binge drinking can bring you into contact with crime, as a
victim or villain. Alcohol is a major factor in a third of
burglaries, half of street crime and 76,000 facial injuries in the
UK each year are linked to drunken violence.
Bad skin:
A heavy drinking session can cause dehydration, which means your
skin can miss out on a supply of vital nutrients leading to dry,
flaky or spotty skin!
Increased blood pressure and heart rate:
Binge drinking on a regular basis can cause heart problems with
your ticker later in life.
Liver problems:
Alcohol in the body is processed by your liver. A heavy session
places a big strain on this vital organ, and for regular drinkers
this can lead to a disease called cirrhosis which has no current
cure.
Beer goggles:
Heavy drinking messes with your coordination and judgement. If
you’re under the influence you’re less like to take precautions
against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections – leaving you
with something a lot longer lasting than a hangover!
Brain strain:
Your brain doesn’t stop growing until your reach your early 20’s
AND alcohol actually damages these cells never to be replaced
again.
Advice
If you would like advice about alcohol or drugs call KCA on
01227 456744 or email yps@kca.org.uk.
Kent Alcoholic Anonymous can be contacted by calling 01227
455557 or you can contact the Kent drug and alcohol team on 0800
776600 or visit www.drugsuk.org.uk.