Mthandazo Ndlovu
ALCOHOL and parties are often synonymous with youth. Potential problems associated with this mixture are well-known, particularly the risks of drinking and then driving and the risks of sexual assault. But the risks to the person ingesting large amounts of alcohol are not as well documented or understood.
Hangovers, blackouts, vomiting and unconsciousness are accepted as part of partying behaviour, particularly for young people, and even expected as part of coming of age. What we don’t talk about is that all of these are all examples of alcohol toxicity or poisoning.
Because alcohol is legal, is advertised as part of the good life, and because it continues to be a part of society’s celebrations, it is viewed positively by the majority of young people and their parents. Some adults may have experienced the negative consequences of over-drinking themselves, and may not be as concerned as they should be when they hear about this behaviour in their children, until tragedy happens.
As we write Bulawayo lost a teenage boy to alcohol poisoning and the ignorance those around him had with regard to his situation and the type of help he would have urgently needed. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
It’s the festive season and a lot will be going on especially among the youths, and partying and binging will be their main activity. Heavy drinking also called over-drinking or binge-drinking among young people is prevalent. Defined as five or more drinks on any one occasion, the concern among professionals is that this will result in more episodes of obvious alcohol poisoning.
Drinking trends allow youth to imbibe alcohol easily and in ways that make it hard to measure their exact alcohol intake. A new concern is the mixing of high caffeine energy drinks with alcohol, which only increases the risks associated with either substance.
How Does Alcohol Kill?
Alcohol can cause death directly by acting on those brain areas that control consciousness, respiration and heart rate. As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol can “turn off” these vital brain areas, resulting first in coma and then death.
In many cases, drinking too much alcohol will make you sick and you will stop drinking. Contrary to street wise talks, getting sick is not from mixing drinks or drinking on an empty stomach, it is because specialised poison control cells in your brain detect danger — too much alcohol — and send a signal to your stomach to vomit. This is the brain’s way of dealing with poisoning. Vomiting is an attempt to eliminate any unabsorbed alcohol. The logic is, if you can prevent any alcohol that’s still in the stomach from getting into the blood supply, it may save your life. Eating before you drink will slow down the speed of intoxication but it is no guarantee that you won’t get sick or die if you consume enough alcohol.
– To be continued
-The writer is a drug prevention and rehabilitation specialist, addictions counsellor, adolescent counsellor, professional counsellor.
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