Alcohol consumption is an intrinsic part of Irish life. We are renowned for our lively craic in pubs and clubs across the country. Even in countries outside of Ireland the concept of the Irish bar has been exported and franchised, selling you the Irish Pub experience outside of Ireland. So what is this perceived Irish pub experience? Good craic, friendliness, laughter? Yes there is some truth in that image but what about the other side of alcohol consumption?

In recent years, there has been a national concern about the way that Irish young people drink and especially concerning the phenomenon of binge-drinking.
Forty percent of all male drinking occasions could be regarded as binge-drinking sessions, and binge-drinking among young women has risen significantly over the last seven years.

So what is Binge Drinking?
We hear the term ‘Binge drinking’ at lot in news reports, research studies and articles. So what exactly is it? Over the years there has been some disagreement over what constitutes binge drinking. Until several years ago, it was commonly accepted that a drinking binge was a period of continuous drunkenness lasting two or more days, during which time a person neglects his or her duties and responsibilities in order to become intoxicated. However, the World Health Organisation defines binge drinking as drinking six or more ‘standard drinks’ in one session.

So what’s a standard drink?
In Ireland a standard drink contains approximately 10 grams of pure alcohol. So what does that mean? Well a standard bottle of wine at 12.5% alcohol is the equivalent of seven standard drinks, while a six pack of beer is equal to 15.4 standard drinks. One standard drink equates to a pub measure of spirits (35.5ml), a small glass of wine (12.5% volume), a half pint of normal beer or a bottle of alcopops (275ml).



The Department of Health’s guidelines for safe alcohol consumption advise a weekly limit of up to 14 standard drinks for women and up to 21 standard drinks for men. Considering the amount of alcohol consumption on a typical night out, are we keeping within safe alcohol consumption level? Could we be labeled as binge drinkers?

Binge Drinking in Ireland
Results from population questionnaires such as SLAN 2007 (Survey of Lifestyle Attitudes and Nutrition) reveal that:

• Binge drinking is common in Ireland
  
• Over a quarter of SLAN respondents (28%) reported drinking more than 6 standard drinks at least once a week (38% men and 17% women)
  
• This pattern of drinking was more common amongst young people aged 18- 29 years

Comparison between Ireland and other EU countries, suggest differences between the patterns of drinking as opposed to the amount. Drinkers in Ireland, whilst drinking less often than some of our European neighbours are drinking larger amounts on occasions compared to other EU countries.

Why is binge drinking so dangerous?
Binge drinking is harmful because of the potential consequences. People who binge on a regular basis are at an even higher risk for negative consequences. Since people frequently combine high risk activities with binge drinking, their potential for death or serious injury is very high. Some of the dangers include:

• Death or injury due to falls, fires, drowning, or a drunken accident
  
• Pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases due to unintended sexual activity.
  
• Being the victim or perpetrator of date rape or other assault.
  
• Death from alcohol poisoning.
  
• Associated physical conditions connected with the over use of alcohol such as high blood pressure and obesity both of which are risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
  

What happens to alcohol in the body?

1. First alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream in the stomach and through microscopic villi in the small intestine. Food slows down the rate of this absorption, so drinking on an empty stomach affects you much faster. It does not take long for the alcohol to affect organs and tissues, even on a full stomach.
   
2. After a few minutes, the instant effects are felt, some include relaxation and de-stressing, others include an increase in heart rate and a severe decrease in brain function.
   
3. The body cannot store alcohol, regarding it as a toxic substance, so it wants to get rid of it fast. Ever wonder why you spend half of the night queuing for a toilet? In the liver, alcohol is transformed in a complex process to acetate, which is then turned into CO2 and water.
   
4. These are then excreted through skin pores (sweat), your breath and through your bladder.
   
5. The body breaks down alcohol roughly at a rate of one standard drink per hour so binging is most likely going to lead to a serious hangover in the morning.
   

What Causes Binge Drinking?

• Cultural Pressure: Alcohol is widely seen as an acceptable intoxicant, and in Ireland is a large part of our culture, with many of our social occasions informed by drinking, and many even centered on them.
  
• Peer Pressure: Even if you do not want to drink alcohol excessively sometimes it can be difficult to stand up amongst your peers and say no.
  
• More often than these though, is the simple fact that growing up in a culture that celebrates alcohol, and celebrates with alcohol, people today simply do not know what constitutes binge drinking, with many of the youth thinking that going out for a dozen or so drinks in an evening as being normal, or even routine.
  
• Unable to say no / Assertiveness
  
• Confidence issues
  

Tips for drinking less
Here are some practical tips on how you can drink less when on a night out with your friends:

• Know the point where you start to lose control, or behave differently because of alcohol.  Your main target should be not to have more than this.
  
• Home measures tend to be a lot larger than pub ones.  If you are offered a drink when visiting someone, try a bottle or a can instead of a short.  It is easier to watch what you are having.  
  
• Do not drink alcohol before you go out.
  
• Have a good meal before starting to drink alcohol
  
• Buy smaller drinks – have a glass instead of a pint, a single instead of a double.
  
• Wait a while before getting another drink, spend this time chatting or dancing with your friends.
  
• Have a glass of water or try some alcohol free beers, lagers or cocktails in between alcoholic drinks.
  
• Try not to get into rounds, they are expensive and they can limit your control over your night i.e. when to go home, who you spent a lot of the night with and how fast you drink.
  
• Don’t play drinking games.
  

So when does drinking too much actually become a problem?
The best person to answer this question is you. You will know when the affect of alcohol are impacting your daily routine and responsibilities or when you feel you cannot face the day without first getting the ‘courage’ or help from the first drink of the day. Some other early signs of problem drinking include:

• drinking faster than everyone else
  
• often drinking to cope with problems
  
• not being able to stop drinking once you start
  
• high tolerance of alcohol – you can drink a lot before you feel drunk
  
• memory loss or blackouts
  
• needing a drink first thing in the morning to get going
  
• secretly doubling up or sneaking drinks
  
• feeling guilty after drinking
  

Worried about someone else?
Are worried about the drinking habits of someone close to you?

• Does their drinking and your response to it make the atmosphere in your home tense and anxious?
  
• Are you afraid of verbal or physical abuse when they are drinking?
  
• Are you trying to control their drinking?
  
• Are you taking responsibility for the consequences of their drinking, for example paying bills, working extra to replace money spent on drink, making excuses for their behaviour?
  

You need to know that:

• You cannot control another peoples drinking pattern
  
• You do not cause other person to drink
  
• You are not responsible for another persons drinking
  
• You cannot cure another persons drinking problem
  

But...You can get help and support for yourself during this difficult time.
      
Help and support
Talk to a friend you trust and who you feel would understand your worry.
Contact your local alcohol counselling service or GP for confidential help and advice. Go to Getting Help for details on local GP’s and alcohol addiction services.

Contact Al-Anon (for relatives and friends of problem drinkers)
01 873 2699 between 10.30am – 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday
 
Contact Alateen (for children of problem drinkers)
01 873 2699 between 10.30am – 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday