Disclaimer
The Prevention team is made up of students with the aim of spreading awareness messages. However, we are not professionals.
The information available here is intended to provide you with information, but if you have a health problem: go and see a professional!
On campus, you can consult the Health Point (free and confidential appointment)
Why talk about alcohol?
Alcohol is one of those products for which the “less is more” principle applies, just like soft drinks for example. In practice, alcohol is also a vehicle for socialisation and taste discovery. The whole issue therefore lies in the principle of “reasonable consumption”. Indeed, unbalanced consumption can have serious consequences on physical and mental health, on our relationship with our loved ones and lead to addiction.
Alcohol abuse is particularly prevalent among young people. According to the WHO, almost 1 in 4 deaths of 20-39 year olds is attributable to alcohol (2018). But before we get to that point, there are many other steps that can interfere with our daily lives.
The aim of this PolyPrev Alcohol is not to demonise alcohol in all its forms or to make each consumer feel guilty, but rather to encourage frank and open reflection leading to reasonable consumption.
What are the dangers of alcohol?
The risks of use are divided between addiction and health problems.
The most common health problems encountered are:
- Physical injuries (driving, falls, violence)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Liver disease
- Aggravations and risk factors for many diseases (e.g. diabetes)
- Unsafe sex
Addiction, i.e. the inability to do without alcohol, regardless of frequency and/or quantity, can have the following consequences
- Physical and psychological health problems (again)
- Estrangement from family and/or friends
What is “reasonable consumption”?
The concept of “reasonable” takes into account two aspects: quantity and frequency. Overall, these two aspects
Some professionals suggest the following:
- < 10 drinks / week
- < 2 drinks / day
- No daily consumption
The doses poured on a private evening therefore generally correspond to more than 1 glass
Are there any tips for drinking less alcohol?
Of course ! 😀
- Get it out of your head that “going for a drink” necessarily involves alcohol
- Do not make fun of people who do not drink in a group
- When you are thirsty, drink a soft drink or water. Alcohol dehydrates so it won’t help you anyway
- Alternate between alcohol and water (or soft drinks)
- Eat! 🙂
- Don’t drink alone
- Drink alcohol IF AND ONLY IF you feel like it (social pressure you know?)
- etc…