Most teens will find themselves in situations where they are pressured to drink alcohol. Many of you already know that alcohol is bad for your body, but did you know it’s also bad for your mind? Psychologist and Director of Education at beyondblue, Dr Brian Graetz, explains why drinking alcohol can make you more than just sick in the stomach.
How can alcohol make you depressed if it is supposed to make you feel good?
Drinking may seem like a good way to take your mind off your troubles, but it can really hurt your mental health as well as causing damage to your body. If you are depressed or anxious when you start drinking, the chances are that alcohol will make you feel even worse. Even if you’re feeling fine, regular drinking can increase your chances of developing depression.
In many ways, alcohol and depression go hand-in-hand. Drinking, together with a problem like low self-esteem, can make you more likely to develop depression and anxiety - either as a teenager or when you are older.
Many young people who have depression and anxiety turn to drinking to try and block out how they’re feeling. The problem is that alcohol doesn’t give relief, and it can actually make your symptoms worse. Alcohol can also interfere with any medication you might be taking for depression or any other illnesses.
Is there such a thing as safe drinking?
Even though it’s illegal for minors to buy alcohol, chances are you’ll be offered it at some stage before you turn 18. Although it’s your choice, it’s important to think about the consequences. Being drunk can lead to fights, having unsafe sex, losing friendships, embarrassing yourself, being vulnerable to assault and rape, and an increased risk of getting into serious accidents.
New Australian guidelines on reducing the health risks from alcohol say that not drinking at all is the safest option for young people under 18 years of age, and that young people up to the age of 25 should also take care with alcohol. This is because young people are more likely than adults to come to harm from drinking, and drinking can also lead to brain damage and problems with alcohol later in life.
Some facts about alcohol and young people in Australia
- Four Australians under 25 die due to alcohol related injuries in an average week.
- One in two Australians 15-17 who get drunk will do something they regret.
- 70 Australians under 25 will be hospitalised due to alcohol-caused assault in an average week.
- On average, one in four hospitalisations of people 15-24 happen because of alcohol.
[Source: www.drinkingnightmare.gov.au]
What can I do if I’m worried about my drinking or a friend’s drinking?
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your mum or dad about it, confide in a friend, doctor or the school counsellor. There are also organisations that can help you (or your friend). You could start by phoning the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in your state or log onto the Australian Drug Foundation www.adf.org.au
Somazone www.somazone.com.au or Reach Out www.reachout.com
The Australian Government has a new website with information about alcohol - www.drinkingnightmare.com.au - including guidelines, facts, advice for parents, tips on cutting down and a fun interactive game.
Download Youthbeyondblue Fact sheet 8 - Drinking, depression and anxiety.
You can also call the beyondblue information line 1300 22 46 36 (for the cost of a local call from a landline) for advice on how to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink and how to stay healthy or you can go to the beyondblue website www.beyondblue.org.au or this website.
