Drinking is part of our culture.
Most men enjoy a drink or two, especially during social
gatherings. However, many men drink too much alcohol
or do this too often, and end up damaging their health.
What
are the effects of alcohol?
The effects of alcohol depend
on many factors, such as how much you drink, how quickly
the alcohol is consumed, and whether the alcohol is
consumed with other drugs. It also depends on whether
you are used to drinking, your mood, weight, gender
and general health status.
Of note is that drinking alcohol
cannot reduce stress. On the contrary, it is easy
to get over-drinking. Acute overdose can lead to drunk,
discomfort and loss of control of one's behaviour.
Long-term overdose can lead to alcohol dependence.
This may adversely affect not only your physical and
mental health, but also influence your work performance
and ruin your social life.
Men are more likely than women to drink alcohol excessively. According to the Behavioural Risk Factor Survey 2007 of the Department of Health, 9.2% male surveyed drink 4 days or more each week, while only 2.1% female surveyed do so.
Excessive drinking may lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, hypertension and stroke.
Understanding what a "standard
drink" means can help you drink more safely.
A "standard drink" is the measure of alcohol
in unit used to work out safe drinking levels. The
safe level for men is no more than 3-4 units a day,
and less than 21 units a week. For women, the safe
level is no more than 2 units a day, and less than
14 units a week. For both men and women, there should
be at least two alcohol-free days each week.
Are you unable to control the frequency
and amount of alcohol you drink?
Do you think of drinking first thing in
the morning?
Do you ever feel as if you can't get through
the day without a drink?
Do you drink when you are at work?
At mealtime, no matter it is breakfast,
lunch or dinner, do you drink rather than
eat other food?
Do you get drunk at least once a week?
Do you have intermittent memory loss, especially
after getting drunk?
Do you have involuntary hand tremor when
you abstain from alcohol?
Is drinking affecting your relationships
with family members, friends and colleagues?
Do you feel guilty about your drinking behaviour?
If you answer "YES" to any of the above questions, you
need to reassess your drinking habit, and be aware of its
role in your life.
If you answer "YES" to two or
more questions, try and stop drinking for three days. If
you cannot do this, you probably need some professional
help.
How
can I drink sensibly, or help myself to cut
down?
To avoid drinking
too much, you must pay attention to the followings:
Choice of alcohol:
Know your drink and its alcohol level. Many regular beers are about 5% alcohol by volume (ABV), red/white wine 10-15% ABV, and whisky 30-40% ABV.
Choose lower strength drinks, or mix wine
with water or ice.
Fizzy drinks (like champagne) are absorbed more quickly than flatter beverage.
Drinking behaviour:
Take meals while drinking to slow down
alcohol absorption. Do not drink with an empty
stomach.
Always make your first drink during meal
a non-alcoholic one.
Sip your drink slowly and do not gulp.
Space your drinks with a non-alcoholic
drink in between.
Don't get into rounds.
Set yourself a maximum number, say two
alcoholic beverages, when out for the evening
and stick to it.
Drinking habit:
Keep at least 2 alcohol-free days per week;
after a heavy session avoid the stuff for
at least 48 hours.
Keep a drinking diary and write down each
day how much you have drunk(in units), and get
to know what situations tempt you the most and
how you can avoid them.
If you concern about
your drinking, have difficulty in sticking with
these tips, or feel that your drinking is getting
out of hand, do not try to tackle it on your
own. Seek professional advice and get help from
a support group.
The label
on a bottle or can of alcoholic
drink usually explains how many
standard drinks it contains. If
you are uncertain about the alcohol
content of the drinks, ask the bar
staff.
What is the legislative drinking level for driving?
It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level (BAL) of more than 50mg alcohol per 100ml blood.
Besides being careful about
your own drinking, it is good to care about other
people's drinking. Do not let your friends drive if
you think they should not drive. Call a taxi for them!
When
should I not drink at all?
There are some times when it is best not to drink at all. These include:
before or when driving
before or when operating machinery and equipment
before or when handling chemicals, sharps or
dangerous goods.
before or when using ladders, or working at heights
before or when swimming or taking part in active
sport
Source:
Department of
Health Central Health Education Unit
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