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This month, nearly 40,000 people, mostly women, have given up alcohol for FebFast and many more will participate in Dry July.
These events started as fundraisers for various social causes. But the main reasons given by people to participate are related to personal benefits, including giving their body a break from alcohol and improving their health.
The proportion of young people drinking has decreased in the last ten years. But more women in their forties and fifties are drinking at risky levels. And women catch up with men when it comes to drinking at levels that are harmful to health.
Read more:
Women's alcohol consumption catches up with men's: why it's important
Women's relationship with alcohol has become a hot topic. Many women, including celebrities such as Nigella Lawson, Kristen Davis and Jada Pinkett Smith, have made their decision to reduce their alcohol consumption to improve their health and well-being.
Alcohol affects women more than men
Women start having alcohol-related problems sooner and at a lower level of consumption than men.
If a man and a woman drink the same amount, their alcohol level will generally be higher.
Women tend to be smaller and lighter than men; a person who is lighter or who has a smaller body will be more affected than someone who weighs more or has a bigger body. If the same amount of alcohol gets into a smaller body, the concentration of alcohol will be higher.
Even if a man and a woman are the same size, women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of water than men.
Dehydrogenase is the enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the body. Women tend to have a less active dehydrogenase and therefore take longer to treat alcohol. They get drunk faster and have alcohol in their system longer.
Women who drink have health problems that are faster and more serious than men who drink as much.
Women are less likely to ask for help
Even when women have problems with alcohol, they are less likely to ask for help than men. Women make up only one-third of Australians treated by a specialized alcohol and drug treatment service.
Barriers faced by women seeking treatment include social stigma, fear of losing their children, and lack of specific programs for women.
How too much can affect your health?
Alcohol can increase the risk of significant health problems, including cancer, brain damage, liver disease and heart disease.
Pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant should not drink alcohol at all before the birth of their baby.
Read more:
Health check: what are the risks of drinking before knowing that you are pregnant?
If you drink while you are pregnant, alcohol can go through your blood and go to the baby. This can cause malformations and cognitive damage in the baby, known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
If you are badfeeding, small amounts of alcohol can be pbaded on to bad milk. Better to drink after badfeeding rather than before or during.
How much is too much?
The idea that a little alcohol is good for your health has been debunked.
Australian alcohol guidelines recommend that healthy adults (men and women) should not drink more than two glbades of water a day to reduce the risk of adverse effects from the disease.
Chris Montgomery
The guidelines also recommend that you consume up to four standard drinks on one occasion to reduce the risk of alcohol-related injury.
The percentage of pure alcohol varies by type of beverage. Therefore, the guidelines convert alcohol into standard beverages. In Australia, a standard drink contains ten grams of alcohol, which equates to 100 ml of wine or 285 ml of beer or cider of normal strength (a stubbie or a pan) or 30 ml of alcohol. alcohol of normal strength. A cosmopolitan or a mojito usually has two or three standard drinks.
The signs you need may need to reduce
Are you:
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to drink every day or almost every day? Daily consumption of alcohol is badociated with addiction
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to drink more than the recommended limits? Drinking more than two drinks a day is badociated with long-term health problems
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need to drink more to get the same effect? This indicates an increasing tolerance to alcohol and is an early sign of addiction
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Are you having trouble taking a break or reducing your intake, or drinking more than you expected? These are signs that you have less control over your consumption of alcohol
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Noting that drinking regularly interferes with daily activities, for example being late for work because you have a hangover?
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notice that your well-being is affected, for example, you feel anxiety or depression during or after drinking, or you have trouble sleeping? Alcohol can be relaxing while you drink, but it can aggravate anxiety, depression, and sleep problems
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to do things while you drink that you will regret later?
If that's the case, it's time to reevaluate your alcohol intake. This online badessment tool can help.
Stage 7 Photography
How to reduce
If you drink more than you want, make a reduction plan. This could include:
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set a limit that reduces health risks
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have alcohol free days each week
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have non-alcoholic "interleaves" before and between alcoholic beverages
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sipping your drinks rather than swallowing them. Slowing down your alcohol intake allows your body to process alcohol and you end up drinking less.
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try less alcoholic drinks
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eat before and / or while you drink. This helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol
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avoid "shouting". If you do, do not feel obligated to follow everyone. You can skip a round or two.
Where to find help to reduce or quit smoking
Most women who drink alcohol, even those who drink a little too much, do not need specialist care, but a break from alcohol can improve your physical and mental well-being.
Read more:
Four ways that alcohol is bad for your health
If you need help to reduce your expenses, some online resources can help you (like Hello Sunday morning).
Your doctor is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns about your alcohol consumption.
You can also talk to someone on the phone or online for information:
CounselingOnline is a free online chat for problems related to alcohol and other drugs. Anyone can use it, whether it is addicts or people wanting to help their friends or family.
The National Alcohol and Drug Helpline is a free telephone information and counseling service similar to CounselingOnline, but on the phone. They can be reached at 1800 250 015.
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