 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Alcohol intoxication – not necessary to have a gay ole time!
Wednesday, 2008.
Originally from express article 3 June 2008
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
 |
| Di from CADS on Alcohol intoxication. |
Gay Pride – hard fought for and an essential statement to the world. We are queer, we are out there – and we are proud!
I wonder where the gay pride is when I walk down K Rd (in Auckland) at about 2am on a Sunday morning. Of course at this time of night there is a bit of argy bargy on the streets – I look for what is happening with my community and often I am not very proud of what I see outside our gay bars.
Often the culprit is alcohol intoxication. I think it is interesting that Invercargill is considering a $200 fine for being intoxicated in a public place. It is recognition that often when people become intoxicated they behave badly. The trick is to stop or reduce drinking before we lose control.
Why do we think we have to be plastered to have a good time? Often the truth is that we were having a good time until we got plastered! How come many of us queers look the other way when we see our mates popping that second pill or downing that next drink? We all have a responsibility to reduce the harm caused by our drug use.
So what are the ‘safe’ levels of drinking?
First we must identify a ‘standard drink’ - it is one which contains 10 grams of alcohol.
A standard drink is:
- 300ml glass of (4%) beer
- 100ml glass of (12%) table wine
- 30mls nip of (40%) spirits
- 2/3rds bottle of (5%) pre-mixed drink
Most bottles of alcohol have the number of standard drinks contained within them written on their labels somewhere (look for the very small print!).
It takes about one hour (longer for women) for your liver to metabolise one standard drink.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) if you are a healthy adult who is not pregnant, drinking within the below recommended upper limits will not negatively effect your health.
For men – six standard drinks on any one drinking occasion – 21 in any one week
For women – four standard drinks on any one drinking occasion – 14 in any one week
Now, before I am branded as the ultimate party pooper, I'm not saying there isn’t a place for occasional intoxication, it is when occasional becomes the norm and social behaviour becomes unsociable. I believe it is up to all us to look out for each other – so we can all be proud!
When you’re ready to talk about your alcohol or other drug use, or you’re concerned about someone else, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
About express
express is NZ's newspaper of gay expression. It contains
information on NZ news, Community news & events, World news, Editorial &
reader feedback, Health, Travel, Food, Arts/Books, Living, Entertainment
& scene, GABA newsletter, and Personals.
For more information, visit their website:www.gayexpress.co.nz
> More items from Di's Drug Column
