Alcohol
Welcome to interactive presentation, created with Publuu. Enjoy the reading!
ALCOHOL
Version 1 - Published: June 2024 - Review Due: June 2025 - Charity No. 1051757
Everything you need to know about...
SCAN THE QR
CODE FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON
OUR WEBSITE
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
What is alcohol?....................................................................1
How is it drank?.....................................................................1
How does alcohol make you feel?......................................2
Physical Health Risks...........................................................3
Mental Health Risks.............................................................4
Alcohol Addiction and Dependence..................................5
The Law Around Alcohol......................................................6
Your Experience On Alcohol Depends On..........................7
Useful Contacts / Getting Help...........................................8
References.............................................................................9
CONTENTS
SPIRITS = This includes rum, vodka, gin, whisky,
tequila and brandy. Spirits are usually served as
a ‘shot’, or mixed with a soft drink such as
lemonade or tonic.
WINE = This includes red wines, white wines,
rose and sparkling wines. Normally served as a
‘half glass’, ‘full glass’ or ‘whole bottle’.
PREMIXED DRINKS = Also known as ‘alcopops’,
these are drinks that have pre-mixed alcohol
and mixer (usually fruit flavoured).
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Alcohol in drinks is a specific small molecule called ‘ethanol’ which
makes you ‘drunk’ and affects your body every time you drink.
When you drink alcohol, ethanol molecules are absorbed into your
blood and travel to all parts of the body, including the brain.
Alcohol causes chemical changes in the brain by suppressing
normal activity, meaning it has a depressant effect.
HOW IS IT DRANK?
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
BEERS / LAGERS / CIDERS = Normally
served as a ‘pint’ or ‘half pint’. Can buy
then in cans or bottles.
EFFECTS
RISKS
May become sociable and
chatty
Slurred speech
Reduced feelings of anxiety
Lack of co-ordination
Exaggeration of what mood
you’re in
Raised testosterone
(aggression)
Can increase sex drive
Blurred vision
HOW DOES ALCOHOL
MAKE YOU FEEL?
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Small amounts of alcohol can make you feel sociable, but too
much can cause you to have a hangover the next day and
potentially have a patchy memory from drinking. Too much
alcohol in a single session coud put the user in a coma, or even
kill the user (see ‘Your experience on alcohol depends on...’ for
more).
Although it's legal for people aged 18 and over to buy and drink
alcohol, that doesn't mean it's safe. Drinking a lot of alcohol
(more than 6-8 units) will make you intoxicated (drunk). The more
you drink in a sitting, the more your judgement will be affected,
and this can lead to doing things or taking risks that you
otherwise wouldn’t.
Alcohol
poisoning
Stroke
High
blood
pressure
Throat
Sometimes it can be
fatal to completely stop
drinking if you drink a lot
daily. If you want to quit
or cut back, make sure to
talk to your GP or see
‘Useful Contacts’ for
where to turn for safe
support.
ri
s
lt
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
PHYSICAL HEALTH RISKS
43% of young people who drink alcohol reported drinking to “cope
with issues in their life” (Drink Aware, 2022). Alcohol use carries
many severe health risk that many users aren’t aware is caused by
excessive alcohol drinking over long periods of time.
If you
experience any
of these
symptoms and
you drink
alcohol, consult
your GP and let
them know you
drink alcohol.
It’s never to
late to get help.
Liver
Mouth
Breast
Liver
disease
Brain
damage
Injuries
Disturbed
sleep
Stress
Suicidal
thoughts
L
R
IS
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
As with any drug (defined as ‘a substance which has a
physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body’),
alcohol alters your brain from it’s natural state which in turn will
effect your mental health.
Psychosis
Depression
Anxiety
see ‘Useful Contacts’ if you are struggling with your mental
health
Anger
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
ALCOHOL ADDICTION
AND DEPENDENCE:
ADDICTION = Defined as compulsive substance abuse despite
negative consequences.
DEPENDENCE = When the body physically relies on a drug.
Alcohol dependence, which is also known as alcoholism or
alcohol addiction, describes the most serious form of high risk
drinking with a strong desire to drink (Drinkaware, 2024).
Individuals who are dependent on alcohol need to drink more in
order to feel the same effect. They also prioritise drinking over
other activities (such as work or family life), or continue drinking
despite harmful consequences. When individuals become
physically dependent on alcohol, they are likely to experience
alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking or
cut down the units. This can be dangerous, which is why it is
recommended to get professional support when cutting back.
Drinking more, or longer than
intended / planned
‘Lack’ of hangover symptoms
Intense alcohol cravings
Spending more time drinking /
recovering than other
activities
Extreme mood swings
Irriatable
If any of these statements
apply to you and drink
alcohol, you may be addicted
and at risk of developing a
dependence.
It is never too late to get
help. See ‘Useful Contacts’
for how to access help that
suits you.
LEGAL
ILLEGAL
Recommended
Aged
18 +
Buy / drink
alcohol in
licensed
premises
Buy alcohol for
someone UNDER
18
Safest not to
drink more than
14 units per week
Aged
15 - 17
Under 16's MUST
be accompanied
by an adult in a
bar / pub
Buy / drink
alcohol
If drinking, know
that drinking can
be hazardous to
health
Under
15
Under 16's MUST
be accompanied
by an adult in a
bar / pub
Buy / drink
alcohol
Alcohol-free
childhood is the
healthiest and
best option
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
THE LAW AROUND
ALCOHOL
Alcohol has complicated rules around what is legal and what is
illegal. See below for a condensed, quick view of the law. For
more information, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
Throughout the UK you can be
stopped, fined or arrested by police
if you’re under 18 and drinking
alcohol in any public place.
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
YOUR EXPERIENCE DRINKING
ALCOHOL DEPENDS ON
Not every person is going to experience drugs in the same way.
Factors that affect your experience drinking alcohol include:
How much you have drank, and the
amount of time between drinking more.
Your physical size, and if you have
eaten or drank anything before
drinking alcohol.
Environment and people. You’re likely to
have a bad experience if you’re in an unsafe
environment with people you don’t trust.
Any other drugs you have taken. Mixing
any drugs and alcohol is extremely risky.
What type of alcohol you are drinking.
Different types of alcohol can make
people behave in different ways. Mixing
drinks can cause you to have a bigger
hangover.
The Zone
Free confidential information and support for Young People:
01752 206626 - www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Harbour
Support for substance misuse:
01752 434343 - www.harbour.org.uk
Sharp
Support for substance misuse (young people up to age 18):
01752 434343 - THCPLTD.SHARP@nhs.net
www.harbour.org.uk/find-services/young-people
FRANK
Honest information about drugs:
0300 123 6600 - www.talktofrank.com
Youth Hub
Support for 16 - 24 year old's in developing skills, training,
education, careers and jobs in Plymouth:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk
Re-Solv
UK's solvent abuse charity:
01785 817885 - www.re-solv.org
Substance
Misuse
Resources
Harm reduction advice and information:
www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
We Are With
You
Free confidential support on drugs, alcohol, mental health:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Narcotics
Anonymous
Information, support and advice on drug addiction:
0300 999 1212 - www.ukna.org
www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
USEFUL CONTACTS /
GETTING HELP
If you are in need of urgent help, call 999. Otherwise, these
contacts offer advice and help for issues related to
substance use and misuse in and around Plymouth.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12