Stay Safe 2010
Drinking Alcohol over Christmas
The government guidelines recommend that:
- Men drink no more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol (that's 2 pints of beer or 4 single vodkas) a day.
- Women drink no more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol (one 175ml of wine or 3 single vodkas) as day.
So to stay safe make sure you:
- Drink smarter - leave room for water and soft drinks - this will help your body to stay hydrated.
- Eating Before - Eating snacks between drinks will help slow down the absorption of alcohol to stop you feeling out of control.
- Plan ahead - before going out plan how you're getting home, ensure you have credit on your mobile and look after you're friends DON'T GO HOME ALONE.
- Look out for friends - Watch out for your mates if anyone gets into difficulty call 999.
- Be a safe passenger - If you're getting a lift, make sure the driver has not been drinking.
- Keep an eye on your drink - Drinks left unattended can be spiked so keep your drink close.
Drink Spiking
If you start feeling really drunk after a small amount of alcohol, or you think that your drink has been spiked with drugs, get help from a friend (someone you trust) and get to a safe place as soon as possible, only go home with someone you totally trust or go to A&E.
Symptoms
- Drowsiness or light headedness
- Feeling confused or disorientated
- Difficulty speaking or slurring your words.
- Loss of balance and finding it hard to move
- Blurred visions
- Hallucinating
- Feeling sick or being sick
If you are experiencing symptoms such as drowsiness, vomiting or hallucinations tell your friends and go straight to accident and emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital straight away.
Preventing drink spiking
If your drink has been spiked, it is unlikely that you will be able to see, taste or smell any difference, so it is important that you try to prevent it from happening. Here are some tips to help you stay safe when you are out.
- Keep your drink in your hand, hold your thumb over the opening if you are drinking from a bottle.
- Keep an eye on your friend's drinks.
- Do not leave your drink unattended at any time.
- Never accept a drink from anyone you do not know or trust.
- Do not share or exchange drinks, or drink leftovers.
- Whenever possible drink out of bottles because it is more difficult to spike a drink in a bottle.
- If you are going on a blind date, tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you will be back.
- Do not give away too much information about yourself (your address) to someone you have just met.
Remember that if you have already been drinking, you will be more vulnerable because alcohol dulls your instincts and your awareness of danger.
Do not become complacent - Always remember that it could happen to you.
Alcohol & Unprotected Sex
The 'beer goggles' effect.
Too much alcohol can affect your sexual judgement. Suddenly that person you don't really like becomes the best looking person at the party. This side effect of drinking can be very embarrassing.
Going home with the wrong person can also be dangerous, being drunk makes you vulnerable, and getting intimate with someone you hardly know may lead to you going further than you want to go, or even end in rape or sexual assault.
While a little 'Dutch courage' may appear to boost your confidence, the slurring and sickness that may come after too much alcohol can look less than attractive to the object of your affections.
Staying Safe
- Carry a condom - Whether you're planning to drink or have sex, a condom is the best way to protect yourself against STI's. It's best to carry one just in case.
- Stay in control - When it comes to sex, you are the person in control of what does or doesn't happen. You should never feel under pressure to go further than you're happy with.
- Watch out for your mates - If you see a friend leave with someone they don't know, call them over and make sure they're ok. They'll thank you for it later.
For emergency contraception please get in touch with the chemists that offer this service.
For more information regarding drug and alcohol issues please contact
Victoria Young Persons Centre
13 Hill Street
Wrexham
01978 316750