ADS Leeds
Alcohol Awareness
Bill Owen
Service Manager
Aims
 To gain a greater understanding of alcohol
and how it can affect people
 To examine and think about how you can
influence people to drink more responsibly
and have a good time.
What role does alcohol play in
your jobs as social secs. ?
Welcome
What do people enjoy about drinking?
Why else might people drink?
What do we know about
alcohol?
 What is a unit?
 What are the guidelines on recommended
daily intake for men and women?
 How long does it take to process a unit of
alcohol?
Confused!!!
A rule of thumb guide is the percentage
of alcohol in 1 litre of drink is equivalent
to the number of units.
A litre of 40% vodka would have 40 units
A 750 ml bottle of 12% wine = 9 units
A 500ml can of 5% beer = 2.5 units.
Otley Run
What do we know
about alcohol?
What kind of a drug is alcohol?
•A central nervous system depressant
•A psychoactive drug
At lower doses can relax and lead to euphoric
feelings
•At higher doses can impair motor and sensory
function and impaired cognition
•At even higher doses can lead to
unconsciousness and possible death
Risk
Increasing risk drinkers (who are at an increasing risk of damaging their
health) are defined as:
 Men who regularly drink more than 3 to 4 units a day (but drink less than the
higher risk levels)
 Women who regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units a day (but drink less than
the higher risk levels)
Higher risk drinkers (who have a high risk of alcohol-related illness and of
damaging their health) are defined as:
 Men who regularly drink more than 8 units a day or more than 50 units of
alcohol per week
 Women who regularly drink more than 6 units a day or more than 35 units of
alcohol per week
The impact of alcohol on health:
 Alcohol harms health through three mechanisms:
1) acute intoxicating effects, occurring after a binge
2) chronic toxic effects, following prolonged periods of drinking at harmful levels
3) propensity for addiction leading to physical and psychological dependency.
Short term risks
 What are the short term risks?
The health risks of excess alcohol include:
 Weight problems
 Stomach upsets
 Headaches
 Anxiety, stress, depression
 Poor concentration
 Difficulty in sleeping
 Raised blood pressure
More serious effects include:
 Accidents and injuries
 Liver disease
 Cancers
 Strokes
 Memory loss
 Sexual difficulties
Risk taking behaviours
•Unprotected sex/
unwanted sex
•Fighting/ Violence
•Accidents
•Drink+ Drugs
• Poor Judgement
•Driving/ cycling/ traffic
accidents
•Damaged relationships
•Criminal records
Brain Cells
Throat and Gullet
Lungs
Liver and
Pancreas
Central
Nervous
System
Heart
Muscles
Stomach
&
Intestines
Kidneys
Tingling
Sex Organs
Fingers
Bone
Degeneration
Alcohol and sport
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Diuretic – leads to dehydration
Interferes with how body makes energy
Day after lack strength and power
High in sugar – more calories + less fat burnt
Can effect muscle growth
Disrupts sleep pattern and growth hormones
Reduced testosterone
Can affect heart rhythms
More prone to injury
Recovery from injury slows down
 https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-thefacts/health-effects-of-alcohol/healthylifestyle/can-alcohol-affect-sportsperformance-and-fitness-levels
 https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/check-thefacts/health-effects-of-alcohol/healthylifestyle/can-alcohol-affect-sportsperformance-and-fitness-levels
‘Alcohol
more
harmful
than
heroin’
Question
 Turn to the person sat next to you.............
Describe how you think other people see
you after a couple of drinks?
Now describe how you think other people
see you at the end of a night of heavy
drinking?
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One glass of white wine or a pint of lager (approximately two units):
You’re talkative and you feel relaxed.
Your self-confidence increases.
Driving ability is already impaired, which is why it is best to drink no alcohol
if you're driving.
Two glasses of white wine or two pints of lager (approximately four
units):
Your blood flow increases.
You feel less inhibited and your attention span is shorter.
You start dehydrating, one of the causes of a hangover.
Three glasses of white wine or three pints of lager (approximately six
units):
Your reaction time is slower.
Your liver has to work harder.
Your sex drive may increase, while your judgement may decrease.
Four glasses of white wine or three and a half pints of lager
(approximately eight units):
You’re easily confused.
You’re noticeably emotional.
Your sex drive could now decrease and you may become less capable.
Responsible drinking
messages
 Don’t force people to drink more than they
should or would like to.
 Likewise don’t feel you have to drink
because others are.
 Avoid rounds where possible
 Drink soft drinks
 Have some food in your stomach before
drinking
 Drinking and drugs not a good idea!
Finish the
night with a
smile.......
On your face!