Alcohol

drug-info-alcohol
Monday, August 31, 2009

Alcohol is produced by fermentation - the action of yeast on liquids containing sugars and starches. pure alcohol has no colour or taste. In New Zealand, alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive, or mood-changing, recreational drug.

  1. What it is

    Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive (or mood-changing) recreational drug in New Zealand. It is almost always drunk in liquid form and comes in many varieties. Common types of alcohol include beer, wine and spirits.

  2. Health effects

    Short-term effects
    Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol has significant negative effects on the body. These effects can be increased depending on a person’s weight, metabolism and whether they have eaten before or during drinking. These effects include:

  3. Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

    Alcohol poisoning is a serious situation that can lead to death. Too much alcohol is characterised by nausea, vomiting, coma, slow and shallow breathing, pale skin and incontinence (wetting or soiling themselves).

    People can develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning they need to drink more to feel that same pleasurable effects.

  4. Law and penalities

    The sale of alcohol in New Zealand is governed by the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. The act covers aspects such as the age someone can purchase alcohol, where and when it can be bought, who can sell it and 'host responsibility' – selling alcohol to people in a responsible manner and ensuring that people drink alcohol safely.

  5. Drug trends

    Alcohol is the most popular recreational drug in New Zealand. As such, it's also responsible for many problems.

  6. Reducing the harm

    Drinking too much alcohol can cause significant problems both for the individual and the public – but how much is too much? It's hard to say because there are many factors that influence the effects of alcohol, such as body weight, body type, gender, personality and the environment in which someone drinks.

  7. How to get help

    There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you feel that you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

  8. Health benefits

    There is some evidence that drinking small amounts of alcohol may be beneficial to the health of older people. Research shows that for men over 45 and women over 55, small amounts of alcohol may reduce the risk of developing some types of cardiovascular disease.

  9. Alcohol and pregnancy

    When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby. Alcohol crosses the placenta and is taken in by the developing foetus. Alcohol has been found to cause cell mutations in the foetus. This is especially true at the early stages of development (the first 30 days) but damage can occur at any point before birth.

  10. Links

    www.alac.org.nz The website of the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand. This organisation conducts policy development and research into alcohol issues in New Zealand and provides information, resources and education on this site.

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