Babor, T. Higgins-Biddle, J. Saunders, B. Montiero, M. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. 2nd ed. World Health Organisation. 2001. [cited 2010, March 3]. Available from: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2001/WHO_MSD_MSB_01.6a.pdf
This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.
Binge drinking
There is a big difference between having a beer or glass of wine, and binge drinking. While the responsible consumption of alcohol may be beneficial, binge drinking is a very serious matter that has important health, personal and community consequences.
Alcohol dependency, also known as alcoholism, is the most common substance use disorder in Australia. Individuals who are alcohol dependent tend to prioritise drinking alcohol over other activities (including seeing friends and going to work). Alcohol dependency can range from mild to severe.
Alcohol has a range of short and long term health effects, including effects detrimental to the production of sperm. These effects include reduced concentrations of sperm in the semen, and reduced concentrations of sperm which have a normal shape and are able to move or swim.
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it also enters the bloodstream of her foetus, and when excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed they can have damaging effects on the foetus.
Alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide, following only tobacco, chronic infections and obesity. The risk of developing some cancers increases even in individuals who drink alcohol moderately. It is generally thought that ethanol is not a carcinogen itself, but rather it stimulates other cancer-causing agents.
Alcohol was one of the first substances found to be effective as a pain reliever. Many people continue to deal with pain by self-medicating with alcohol. Unfortunately, there is a tendency for alcohol to be abused, and the use of alcohol for pain relief can easily cause problems.
New Year's Eve is a night when a lot of people attend social gatherings, often large public events. People typically drink alcohol at New Year's Eve gatherings, and while many people drink responsibly, drinking until drunk or intoxicated is also common amongst people of all ages.
Tool: Standard drinks calculator 
Sign up for free newsletters
Discuss on Forum
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Share on StumbleUpon
Print this article
Bookmark this page (press Ctrl+D)
Created: 10/12/2009
RSS News feed
