ALCOHOL USE AND YOUR HEALTH

Many people can drink alcohol in moderation without doing any harm to themselves or others. Drinking alcohol can however, become harmful if you drink too much, drink every day or drink whilst doing other activities, like driving. The following definitions will help you work out whether you are drinking at harmful levels or not.

What is harmful or high risk drinking?

Harmful drinking is defined as drinking more than 4 drinks on any one occasion (binge drinking) or drinking more than 2 drinks per day over extended periods.

According to the World Health Organisation, the risk of harm increases significantly when people consume more than 2 drinks per day and for more than 5 days per week. Drinking alcohol also becomes harmful if it begins to negatively affect your relationships at home or work, or leads to financial problems. When people reach a point where they find it difficult to control their drinking and feel strong cravings for a drink they are said to have become dependent on alcohol.

Alcohol dependence or alcoholism affects a relatively small percentage of the adult population in South Africa, but many people drink at harmful or risky levels.

The harmful use of alcohol, such as binge drinking or drinking to intoxication is a major cause of:

• Injury – including traffic injuries, falls, drowning, burns and unintentional firearm injuries.
• Violence – including domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. According to SAPS statistics, more than 80% of murders and 75% of rapes in South Africa are committed by perpetrators under the influence of alcohol.
• Risky sexual behaviour – including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners and sexual assault.
• Alcohol poisoning – a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that can cause a loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and death.
• Chronic diseases – over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and mental illness.

The risks of harmful alcohol use:

Long term health risks:

• hypertension (high blood pressure) and stroke

  

  Alcohol abuse can cause violent and abusive behaviour

• digestive problems such as stomach ulcers and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, which is an organ important for digestion)
• cardiomyopathy (weakness in the muscle of the heart)
• liver damage (cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholic hepatitis)
• cancer, including cancer of the mouth, throat, colon, throat, liver, prostate and breast
• brain damage (memory loss, slowing of mental functions, reduced attention span)
• impotence
• psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety and suicide
• TB (heavy alcohol use damages the immune system and makes people more susceptible to getting TB)
• HIV (alcohol consumption increases risky sexual behaviour and can accelerate the progression of HIV related disease because it suppresses the immune system. Heavy drinkers also forget to take their prescribed medication)

The immediate effects of excessive alcohol use:

• slow reaction time
• slurred speech
• loss of memory
• poor balance and coordination
• lack of inhibition (lack of control of emotions and reactions)
• nausea and vomiting
• blackouts and hangovers
• anger and belligerence
• loss of consciousness or coma

The benefits of giving up:

• reducing the risk of many serious health problems
• reducing the risk of accidents and getting into trouble with the law
• more money to spend on other things
• feeling happier and more in control of one’s life
• better relationships with family, friends and work colleagues
• being a reliable person that others can depend on
• more energy and time to do other things
• remembering experiences
• not having to regret or feel embarrassed about your behaviour

LEWINA’S STORY

Read about Lewina’s journey to better health after breast cancer

Cancer. Something you never imagine will happen to you. Lewina Rowland explains the moment she first discovered lumps in her breast: “I was watching Three Talk on SABC3 with Noleen. It was breast cancer awareness month and they explained how to detect a lump. So I tried it, and I felt one or two lumps. I couldn’t believe it!”

A mammogram and a needle biopsy confirmed traces of cancer. “I was shocked out of my mind, but I was determined to be strong”, says Lewina. She had a biopsy of breast tissue the following week. “When they finally confirmed that I had stage two breast cancer, I was advised to go for a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. “Less than two months after watching Three Talk, I was going for a mastectomy on my left breast.”

After her operation, Lewina went back to her old routine: “I was determined that cancer wasn’t going to change me. I wanted to be in control of my life. I was very dedicated to my work, and I didn’t think much about what had happened to me. I fell into this pattern of rushing around everywhere and keeping myself very, very busy. When I came to a standstill, I would go to a friend’s house and have a glass of wine to unwind.” However, a few years after Lewina was diagnosed with cancer, she became very depressed. It was her sister who drew her attention to her lifestyle: “She told me that I was going through life as if there was no end to what I could do, rushing around as though I hadn’t suffered a life threatening illness. She reminded me that it had happened for a reason.” That was a wake-up call for Lewina: “I realised that if I didn’t slow down, I was heading for a repeat of the cancer. I was working too hard, and letting off steam with friends by having a glass of wine. I didn’t connect what was happening. For me, rushing was just part of my life, and I enjoyed the excitement. There were lots of things that I was doing very unconsciously, such as drinking, partying, and eating what I wanted to.”

Gradually, Lewina changed her lifestyle: “I moved away from my friends who involved me in that kind of party lifestyle, and I became closer to people who were more health conscious. Priorities shifted in my life.” Getting back into exercise played a big part in changing Lewina’s life around: “I had stopped exercising after being diagnosed with cancer. At first it was difficult to get back into it, but I started by taking a friend’s three dogs for regular walks, or asking friends to go for walks on the beach, which I enjoyed. When I started a new job 23 kilometres away from home, it provided me with the opportunity to take the train, to save on travelling costs and to start walking to and from the train station on my way to work. In time, I felt my fitness improve.” Last year Lewina joined the Dragon Boat Team, AmaBele Belles , which is made up of breast cancer survivors. “We paddle twice a week, and I benefit not only from the exercise, but also from spending time with people who understand what it’s like to go through getting breast cancer. After the first time in the boat, I realised it was something that I should have been part of long ago.”

Living a healthy lifestyle is now a family affair for Lewina: “Everyone in my family has had some kind of health issue, from diabetes to high blood pressure. A month after I was diagnosed with cancer, my brother died after having two strokes. His death was tied to his lifestyle. We have now all changed our habits: we don’t add sugar to sweet potato; we take the skin off the chicken; drink water instead of fizzy cool drinks, and walk for exercise. My family is very supportive. We hold each other accountable.” Lewina has a more relaxed approach to life now: “I’m busier with things that I want to do, rather than things that I feel I should do. I’ve realised that it’s okay to say no, now and then. I do have a glass of wine sometimes, but only when it is Christmas time or somebody’s birthday. I don’t drink alcohol to unwind anymore.” Lewina advises fellow cancer survivors, “I would caution against wanting to bounce back as fast as you can. You need to take stock of the underlying health issues that caused the cancer. I rushed through cancer, like everything else. I didn’t realise that I was supposed to get the message that I couldn’t go on eating and drinking like I had been. Now I understand that you must be careful with the body that you have.”

Who should avoid using alcohol altogether?

Is your drinking putting you at risk of disease or injury?

What is a standard drink?

It is important to note that often bottles/cans/glasses contain more than one standard drink. If you share bottles or containers with homemade or traditional drinks like umqomboti or inkumpa it may be difficult to calculate a standard drink. The table below can help you estimate the number of standard drinks you are drinking.

What is alcoholism or alcohol dependence?

Someone who is dependent on alcohol will:

• feel strong urges for a drink
• struggle to limit their drinking
• need to drink more before feeling drunk
• continue to drink despite
• repeated negative effects on their health, their relationships, their work or their finances
• experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking

You probably do not have a problem with drinking alcohol if:

• you drink alcohol only at generally accepted social occasions
• can decide to stop drinking even when there is still plenty to drink
• don’t feel shame, guilt or embarrassment after drinking
• don’t have conflict with others about your drinking
• don’t break drinking and driving laws
• don’t put yourself and others at risk as a result of drinking
• you never lie about your drinking

PAUL’S STORY

Do you want to quit or reduce drinking, but worry that you can’t?

You might really want to quit or reduce your drinking, but worry that you don’t have the willpower to do it on your own. Talking to a healthcare professional about your drinking can help you feelmore motivated and confident. A good start is to talk to your GP or the doctor at your local clinic. If you have scored 4 on the CAGE questionnaire, you may be dependent on alcohol and may need further help from a specialist healthcare professional with experience in treating addiction. Youmay also benefit from medication to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

Your GP can refer you to an appropriate healthcare professional. You can also contact an organisation like SANCA or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) directly (see contact details on page 12). AA groups exist in every city and town of South Africa and joining does not cost anything. These groups have helped thousands of people with alcohol problems and offer on-going support.

The 7 step plan for changing your drinking habits

STEP 1: Identify your reasons to change

Being clear about the reasons why YOU would like to stop or reduce your drinking is an important first step in changing your habits. Take a look at the list below and tick off the ones that apply to you:

• I will feel more in control of my life
• I will feel less guilty and ashamed
• My relationships with my family will improve
• My performance at work will improve
• I will be a more reliable person
• I will be a more honest person
• I will sleep better
• I will lose weight
• I will be in better health and have more energy
• I will reduce my risk of alcohol related illness and injury
• My memory will improve
• I will save money
• I will be less aggressive
• I will spend more quality time with my kids and family
• I can start taking better care of my health (by for example, exercising and eating better)
• I will be a good role model for my children

STEP 2: Set you goals

If you are dependent on alcohol, quitting altogether is the most appropriate goal. If you are intending to reduce your drinking, it is helpful to plan on which days you
will allow yourself a drink and set a limit to the number of drinks you have on those days.

Remind yourself of the recommendations for low risk drinking. Aim to have at least 2 alcohol free days a week and try to avoid drinking more than 4 (women) or 5 (men) drinks on any one occasion.
Keeping a record of your drinking habits will help you understand your drinking patterns and identify how to change them. Make plans and write down your goals at least one week ahead.

STEP 3: Get help

Think about someone you are close to and trust who can give you support while you are trying to make the change. Someone who has been through the experience of reducing or quitting alcohol might be particularly helpful and understanding. You can also make an appointment to see a healthcare professional or counsellor, or join a support group like the AA see contact details

If you are worried that you are physically dependent on alcohol and may experience withdrawal symptoms, discuss options for medication with a doctor or addiction specialist.

STEP 4: Recognise risky situations

In order to prepare yourself to change your drinking habits, it is often helpful to think about the situations that make you want to drink or drink too much. The list below describes some common situations. Tick off the ones that apply to you:

• Relaxing after the work day
• Going out to a tavern/bar/club
• Meeting new people
• Eating out
• Braaing at home or a friend’s house
• Watching sport on TV
• Feeling lonely/depressed
• Socialising with friends who drink
• Feeling anxious/stressed out
• After an argument or conflict
• Feeling angry and frustrated
• Feeling bored
• Celebrating a special occasion

STEP 5: Plan to avoid ‘drinking situations’

Avoiding those situations that make you want to drink or where you usually lose control over your drinking will make changing your drinking habits easier.

• If you have the habit of going to the tavern/pub after work – plan a different activity after work. For example go to the gym, go for a walk, visit family or friends or go out for a coffee.
• If you drink heavily with friends – plan to socialise with friends who don’t drink as much
• If you drink when you are alone and feeling low – plan to spend more time with other people, join a community organisation, church group, choir or local club.
• If you drink when you are bored and frustrated – plan to do other activities in your life. For example, take up a new hobbyor interest, join a charity organisation, participate in sport or join an adult education class.
• If you drink when you are stressed or upset – try other ways to calm down. For example, learn how to relax by using deep breathing techniques or doing yoga, playing sport or doing physical activity like walking or dancing.
• If you drink heavily when you are feeling anxious or depressed, speak to your doctor or phone Lifeline or the SA Depression and Anxiety Support Group.

STEP 6: Learning other strategies

There are several other strategies that can help you reduce your drinking without anyone even noticing:

• Quench your thirst by drinking water or a non-alcoholic drink before you start drinking alcohol
• Eat before you start drinking. This will make you feel full and help you drink less. Food also slows down the absorption of alcohol
• Have non-alcoholic drinks between every alcoholic one
• Take small sips of your drink, rather than gulps
• Dilute your alcoholic drink with soda or mixers
• Choose drinks with a lower alcohol content
• Avoid eating salty snacks while drinking as these make your thirsty

STEP 7: Preventing relapse

There will be times when you will find it difficult to stick to your plans. If you feel strong physical cravings, understand that they are a normal part of the process and usually only last a few minutes at a time. Think of ways to distract yourself when you feel a craving. For example, you may need to remove yourself from a situation that is tempting you to drink and do something different. Doing regular physical activity orexercise, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep all help reduce cravings.

If you experience symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations and muscular pains, understand that these are common withdrawal symptoms and seek advice from a healthcare professional.Medication can also help.

“The best way to break bad habits is to take one day at a time. Tell yourself that you will not drink today and that you will cope with not drinking for that one day. Then do the same the next day. Avoid thinking of the long term.”

If you do relapse and break your commitment to not drink again or control your drinking, learn from the experience. Understand why it happened and immediately renew your commitment to change. Rather than see relapse as a failure, understand that it is a normal part of the behaviour change process and see it as an opportunity to learn more about what triggers the old behaviour and how to prevent it from happening again. It will gradually get easier. It may also help to think of past challenges or bad habits in your life and how you managed to overcome or change them. Think about what you learnt from these experiences and the personal qualities you have that helped you get through them.