What is Safer Drinking?

Debra Lafler
Health Educator

Safer Drinking is a concept that we are borrowing from ‘Safer Sex’. ‘Safer Drinking’, or as it is sometimes called, ‘Responsible Drinking,’ requires a few things. First is the decision to drink, or not to drink. Choosing NOT to drink or do drugs is O.K. Choosing not to drink could be based on medical health, mental health, athletic training/competition, religious or spiritual practice, socio-cultural practice, family, age-related legalities, other legal issues, or any other personal reasons. Just as not having sex is the one true way to be completely safe, not drinking (or not using drugs) is the one true way to be completely safe from consequences.

But if we do choose to drink, we must plan to do so safely and responsibly.

Before you go out to a social event where alcohol will be present, decide if you want to drink. If you don’t want to drink, respect your decision and expect others to respect it too.

Decide who is going to drive BEFORE you go out, and let that person stay sober. Don’t drive when under the influence, and don’t be a passenger in a car driven by someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you find yourself without a sober driver at the end of the night, call a cab. The cost of the cab ride will be worth the lives you may save not only the lives of you and your friends, but also those of innocent victims.

Don’t take any over-the-counter or prescription medication without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist to see if it can be mixed with alcohol. Some substances mixed with alcohol can be fatal.

Set a limit on how many drinks you are going to have. If it will help you, partner with a friend and ask him/her to help you stick to your limit.

There are a number of concerns related to alcohol use and abuse. Alcohol lessens the ability to reason and make sound decisions, including how much alcohol we can handle. That is why it is important that we establish our limit and pace BEFORE going out.

In our society, we associate dating and social scenes with alcohol use. Being intoxicated can alter our ability to make safe choices when it comes to making sexual decisions. Sexual encounters may end up not being safe, or fail to be safe due to motor control inability even if precautions are attempted. Furthermore, alcohol can lessen our performance ability when it comes to sexual relations.

Sexual assault is also a concern. 90% of all sexual assaults are alcohol related – in that the victim and/or perpetrator was using alcohol at the time of the attack. Most perpetrators who intentionally set out to sexually assault their victim will use alcohol and/or further substance (Rohypnol, GHB, Special K) to sedate their victims. Men and women are drugged and are sexually assaulted frequently, although, unfortunately men are less likely to report the crimes. Furthermore, most of the crimes committed are not reported at all due to the uncertainty, confusion and guilt feelings of the victim. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted, please refer them to the Student Health Center: T3-118, or Counseling Center: Old Gym-114.

Even though alcohol is used as a "party" and "fun" inducing substance, it is actually a depressant. Alcohol slows us down - physically, mentally, and emotionally. For people who are already depressed, sad, or upset, alcohol will only increase those feelings.

Alcohol lessens our physical ability. It depresses our central nervous system and its communication with our musculo-skeletal system, meaning that when we want to move, our response is slower than what used to. Therefore, the body will move "sloppily" and in an uncoordinated fashion, causing accidents, and often result in personal injury.

Drunk Driving also has serious consequences. Driving while under the influence, or getting in the car with someone who has been using alcohol or drugs is very dangerous. Because motor ability is slowed, the influenced driver is most likely going to get into an accident by making a mistake, or not being able to react quickly enough to another car, person, animal, or object. Serious injury and death are usual in drunk or drugged driving accidents not only for those that are in the car, but also innocent bystanders.

There are medical concerns from alcohol use both in the short-term and also after many years of abuse.

Headache

Irritation of esophagus and stomach

Vomiting

Emotional upsets

Accidents

REM sleep disturbances

Blackouts

Unconsciousness, coma, death from respiratory failure

Premature aging of the brain

Atrophy of the brain/loss of brain cells

Loss of reasoning ability

Poor Memory

Reduced blood flow

Heavy consumption appears to be related to increased cancer risk of the:

Mouth

Pharynx & Larynx

Esophagus & Stomach

Colon & Rectal

Breast cancer in women

Mild to severe intoxication decreases the force of the heart muscle’, pumping action

Chronic heavy use leads to scar tissue, heart enlargement, clots in heart chamber linings

Heart rhythm disturbances

Hypertension (high blood pressure) and stroke

Acute "Fatty Liver Disease" as a result of a decrease in the breakdown of fatty acids

Hepatitis and jaundice as a result of liver inflammation

Liver cell destruction and scarring resulting in cirrhosis

Pancreatitis (inflammation) associated with severe abdominal pain and weight loss, which can be fatal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Debra Lafler, Prevention Program Manager & Health Educator
Student Health Center -Building T-3; Room 118,
Tel: 718 960 8903

Dr. Sheryl Jacobson, Director
Counseling Center - Old Gymnasium Building; Room 114
Tel:718 960 8761

For General Information contact: tbj@lehman.cuny.edu || Last modified: March 27, 2002
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