Di from CADS on mindfulness
Wednesday, 24 May 2006.
Originally from express article 24 May 2006
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS).
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| Di from CADS |
On the 13th and 14th May 2006, 20 alcohol and other drug professionals from all over New Zealand gathered here at CADS Auckland to discuss how we can improve services for our LGBTTF (i.e. queer) clients.
What a wonderful group of inspirational and influential people!
We even had our heterosexual colleagues there supporting us. One of the outcomes is that we now have a Rainbow Recognition Network which will lobby for improving services and receive feedback from our community. At this stage I am the contact person – but watch this space.
The ultimate question for us on the weekend was “what would a gay friendly alcohol and drug service offer – that others don’t?” It really came down to insight and understanding, having clinicians who empathise not sympathise with their clients, who are mindful of the issues facing their clients and who are able and willing to address these issues within the therapeutic relationship. The network has taken on a huge task – but at least we have made a start!
I think equally that we as a queer community could increase our insight into our alcohol and other drug use. Statistically people in queer communities are more likely to have problems with (over) use.
So – I put it to you my friend; do you really know how much you imbibe on a weekend?
- How many standard drinks? (i.e. 10gms of alcohol – approx 100mls wine, 1 can 4% beer/RTD, 1 nip spirits)
- Did you also use other drugs? What were they?
See if you can keep track – and if you can’t, that tells you something... Even if you can not be totally accurate give it your best estimate.
The next step is to reflect on how much fun you really had.
- Did your drug use add to your enjoyment?
- Was there a point when you were drinking, smoking etc out of habit rather than choice?
- Did your ‘fun’ night turn out to be a ‘hell’ night?
- Are your friends still talking to you...?
The fact is that with ‘mindful’ use of alcohol and other drugs you can get a lot more ‘bang for your buck’! For example: with alcohol, to create and maintain a ‘fun’ level of intoxication, drink to that level, then only drink one standard drink per hour. Your liver can not metabolize more than one drink per hour, and so the level of alcohol in your blood stream (affecting your brain) will remain constant. As soon as you drink more, you will just become more intoxicated, less capable and more than likely - less fun to be around!
Of course it is important to reiterate that the safest way to have fun is not to use alcohol and other drugs at all, as some people say, being high on life is certainly the way to go!
One last word
Remember: to avoid adverse health effects from alcohol, the recommended upper limits from ALAC are:
- for Men no more than 6 standard drinks on any one drinking occasion and no more than 21 standard drinks per week
- for Women no more than 4 standard drinks on any one drinking occasion and no more than 14 standard drinks.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other
drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 or
www.cads.org.nz or if you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug
Helpline 0800 787 797.
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