The health unit “Alcohol” was a unique experience which incorporated both practical and theoretical aspects. It educated the class on effective management of alcohol and was a good opportunity to expand our knowledge upon this drug. We were tasked to form groups and collaborate to prepare a presentation informing our peers about topics we had chosen. This was an interesting time of learning, and I was able to develop a greater level of communication and understanding between myself and my group members. The individuals on my team all had individual skill sets which helped to further improve the quality of our presentation. I was partnered with Rithvik, Dylan and Daeg for the Health Expo, and we collaborated to ensure that our project was engaging, informative and high quality.
Learning Aspects
was able to develop myself as an individual in numerous ways, namely improving my interpersonal skills of communication, collaboration and creativity. This project allowed me to find my strengths and weaknesses whilst working in a group with others. Communication is an essential aspect of success, and I was able to learn how to better vocalise my ideas whilst being a receptive listener for my peers. This meant that we could work together and complete tasks more efficiently.
Group Work
I learnt how to collaborate and work creatively with others in my group. This involved identifying the strengths and passions of others, then incorporating them into the process to achieve the greatest possible end result. Along with my peers, I spend valuable time developing myself as a person in these aspects, making sure to remain open-minded and positive about the tasks at hand. Maintaining a grateful and enthusiastic attitude made the project enjoyable and memorable, so I highly recommend having an optimistic mindset to all those undertaking similar tasks.
One piece of advice that I would wish to pass on to young teenagers above all else is to keep things in perspective. Always plan ahead where possible, ensuring that you are able to deal with tricky times and challenges as effectively as possible. This will reduce the temptation of premature drinking, often stemming from depression and self-doubt. Try to see the best in everyone and encourage and support your peers. Make sure that you orient yourself to be the greatest person you can be. Setting goals and keeping track of them is a great way to do this. Above all, keep the end in mind whilst doing your best in the present.
I whole heartedly pledge not to drink before the legal age of 18.
I will not exceed the recommended number of standard drinks daily or per week.
I will maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, not centred around alcohol.
Why Did I Commit to These Ideals?
I chose to commit to these ideals because they will help me stay safe and healthy. I will be able to grow and further myself as a person without the influence of alcohol upon my life. These ideals will keep me on track and comfortable as I move further through life.
I picked these ideals to commit to because they are specific, and each have merit and value. Not drinking before the legal age of 18 means that my brain will be able to grow to its fullest potential and form nuero-connections that will benefit me for years to come.
The second ideal means that I will not be in serious risk of becoming drunk, which in turn could lead to serious mental health issues or other long- and short-term effects. This could limit my ability to perform at a high standard and negatively impact myself and surrounds.
The final ideal relates to making sure that my life does not revolve around alcohol. This will allow me to pursue other interests and develop myself as an individual.
How Will I Stick to These Commitments
I will make sure to keep a record of my activities whenever possible and constantly remind myself about the pledges I have made. Keeping a physical and online record of my pledge wil be an irascible reminder of these commitments.
Keeping track of my pledges will be crucial in developing myself as an integral and honourable person not just to others but to myself as well.
Research and Bibliography:
Reasons why people choose to binge drink:
To binge drink is a conscious choice, often made in the heat or pressure of a moment.
Binge drinking is when someone drinks a lot of alcohol in one session, or continuously over a number of days or weeks. Although binge drinking is frequently romanticised on television and in movies, the reality is that it is not at all attractive. A risky trend of excessive alcohol consumption is called binge drinking. After binge drinking, your blood alcohol content (BAC) will often increase to 0.08 percent or higher. Women who binge drink are those who consume four or more drinks in less than two hours. Five or more drinks consumed within a two-hour period is considered binge drinking for guys.
Ages 26 and up are when binge drinking is most prevalent in Australia. In fact, this age group is responsible for over 70% of all binge drinking incidents. Some people may require less alcohol to reach a binge drinking level, particularly those who are taking prescription medications or other drugs.
To reduce the risk of harm from alcohol, adults should drink no more than 4 standard drinks in one session or 10 standard drinks per week. Drinking more than this can be very risky to health and wellbeing.
At least 1 in 3 Australian adults drinks enough alcohol to put them at risk of disease or injury.
There could be lots of reasons why people binge drink. They might feel pressure from their friends, or they might drink to avoid feeling awkward or uncomfortable. They might not know how much they are really drinking. In Australia, alcohol is so much an accepted part of ‘having a good time’ that many people do not realise it is capable of doing harm in a great many different ways. People overindulge in alcohol because they are inexperienced with it or want to unwind quickly.
Some people drink excessively in an effort to rapidly forget their issues, while others do so primarily for the sake of being able to outdrink their friends or because those friends are actively urging them to do so. Unfortunately, regardless of the justification, it really isn’t a good habit, and it can end up costing you money in the long run.
To unwind and forget about underlying issues is one of the most frequent motives for binge drinking. After one drink, a person could begin to feel wonderful and keep drinking to keep the sensation going.
Effects of binge drinking (short and long term):
What are the harms of binge drinking?
Lots of problems are linked to binge drinking and not all of them are obvious or happen straight away.
In the short term, someone who binge drinks might feel sick, vomit, feel shaky or have a hangover. They could injure themselves or someone else, for example, if they get into a fight, fall over, or have a car accident.
People might also behave differently when they are drunk and do things they would not normally do, such as:
- Embarrass themselves
- Damage their reputation, which can affect work or family
- Lose valuable items, such as a wallet, purse or mobile phone
- Assault or harm other personnel
- Engage in socially unacceptable behaviour
- Injure themselves
Long-term effects of binge drinking include:
- Problems at school, at work and with relationships
- Risk of emotional and mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
- Physical and psychological dependence on alcohol
- Health effects, such as damage to the brain and liver and increased risk of certain cancers.
Overall, binge drinking can negatively impact an individual physically, mentally and socially as well. These effects are can be categorised into short or long term. Some of the more prominent short term impacts include bodily harm or embarrassment, damaging of reputation and temporary loss of cognitive ability.
Binge drinking can also impair relationships in the long run, and participants of this activity also risk emotion and health problems. There are also links to the defection of internal organs, such as the brain and liver. The contraction of certain cancers is also a potential risk.
Perhaps one of the most alarming long-term effects of alcohol use on the brain is the potential development of physiological dependence, a state and condition in which a person experiences physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms and cravings if they cease drinking or significantly lower the amount of alcohol in their body.
How does alcohol affect choices?
In the US, alcohol is the drug that is most frequently used to alter consciousness. At the time of the 2015 national survey, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates that more than half of all American adults were current drinkers. With dinner, many adults enjoy a beer or a glass of wine, and millions of adults do so responsibly.
Although it is a depressive, alcohol is frequently used to start parties. Many of us have stories about doing foolishly after drinking, and those stories don’t frequently entail relaxing and falling asleep. Alcohol therefore affects moods, emotions, actions, and reactions in addition to being a depressant.
It modifies your way of thinking, and also consequently, how you feel affects how you behave. Alcohol will obviously have a greater influence if you consume more of it. You are probably more sociable, outgoing, joyful, energised, talkative, and enjoyable to be around after a few drinks. A couple more, and you might start stumbling, losing your balance, and turning hostile. If you consume even more alcohol, you run the risk of passing out and losing your memory the following day.
Alcohol might impair your ability to reason clearly and make wise decisions. It may increase your likelihood of getting into possibly damaging or dangerous situations that you’ll later regret. Alcohol alters the chemical of the brain, which has an effect on one’s emotions, actions, thinking, memory, and biological functioning and physical activity, which could have expensive side consequences.
Alcohol use is thought to increase GABA levels in the brain. GABA is one of the neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, in the brain that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety and tension. GABA is regarded as a “inhibitory” neurotransmitter. Your body temperature decreases along with your heart rate and blood pressure when GABA levels are high.
The brain’s dopamine levels are also raised by alcohol. One of the chemical messengers in charge of transmitting signals of pleasure is dopamine. Dopamine can produce the “high” or “buzz” that makes drinking alcohol enjoyable when levels are raised.
Bibliography:
Binge Drinking. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
Chung, T., Creswell, K. G., Bachrach, R., Clark, D. B., & Martin, C. S. (2018). Adolescent Binge Drinking. Alcohol Research : Current Reviews, 39(1), 5–15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104966/
5 reasons you might be binge drinking. (2022). Reachout.com. https://au.reachout.com/articles/5-reasons-why-youre-binge-drinking
Binge drinking. (2021, September 15). Healthdirect.gov.au; Healthdirect Australia. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/binge-drinking
admin. (2017, July 25). Binge drinking | What is Binge Drinking? | Youth Central. Vic.gov.au. https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/advice-for-life/health/drugs-and-alcohol/binge-drinking
Binge-drinking: teenagers. (2021, December 6). Raising Children Network. https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/healthy-lifestyle/alcohol-other-drugs/binge-drinking
Why Alcohol Lowers Inhibitions and Leads to Bad Decisions. (2022, August 31). Alcohol.org. https://alcohol.org/effects/inhibitions/
Health. (2019, February 4). What are the effects of alcohol? Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/what-are-the-effects-of-alcohol
Evert, D. L., & Oscar-Berman, M. (1995). Alcohol-Related Cognitive Impairments: An Overview of How Alcoholism May Affect the Workings of the Brain. Alcohol Health and Research World, 19(2), 89–96. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6875727/
Effects of Alcohol on the Brain (Long & Short Term Effects). (2022, July 12). American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/mental-effects
Why Alcohol Lowers Inhibitions and Leads to Bad Decisions. (2022, August 31). Alcohol.org. https://alcohol.org/effects/inhibitions/