The Minster Practice, Lichfield

Updated 31/07/2006

Key Areas

Units of alcohol

A unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure ethanol. 20 years ago the alcohol content of beers and ciders was lower so half a pint was roughly one unit. Wines were also less strong and a pub serving was 125ml compared to 175-250ml nowadays. 125ml of 8% wine was then roughly one unit. Hence the advice about maximum intake for a man was 1 and a half pints of beer a day and for a woman 2 glasses of wine. 21 and 14 units per week respectively.

Examples of current units include

The functional alcoholic

Many people have a view of an alcoholic that may have little basis in fact. But there is also a type of drinker that would never believe him/herself to be an alcoholic. They may never experience withdrawal symptoms, rarely if ever have a hangover and can even have a "day off" drinking but their drinking habits are damaging. This is the functional alcoholic. 

If you answer Yes to 4 or more of the following questions, your functional drinking may be causing much more harm than you realise.

1. Have you done something you otherwise would not have done when drinking and regretted it?
2. Do you gulp your first drink quickly?
3. Do you often drink more than you planned in an evening?
4. Are you conscious of how often you are the first person to finish a drink?
5. Do you think a lot about when you can next have a drink?
6. Do you feel secretly uncomfortable about your drinking?
7. Do other people tell you that they are worried about your drinking?
8. Do you often underperform at work after a night out?
9. Do you get into trouble because of drinking - such as fighting or drinking and driving?
10. Do you have accidents, domestic arguments or injuries because of drink?

    

    Social drinkers risk cirrhosis

    Source: The Times Date: 30/03/2006
    The Times reports on findings by researchers at the University of Southampton, who found that of 34 patients with severe alcohol-induced liver disease, only 9% of them exhibited severe alcohol dependence. Moreover, the study found that the patients with liver cirrhosis who were not addicted were often employed, married or in a stable relationship. However, due to these factors they enjoyed a history of social drinking with family, friends or work colleagues. Nick Sheren, a consultant hepatologist at the University, suggested that these findings were at odds with existing strategies to combat alcohol-related deaths, which have increased in England eight-fold since the 1970s. Current strategies target those with alcohol dependency. Dr Sheron said: "The majority of patients presenting with alcoholic liver disease appear to be heavy controlled or social drinkers, leading relatively controlled lives, perhaps not feeling that their drinking is a major health issue until they have end-stage liver disease diagnosed." A Department of Health spokesman commented: "We know that alcohol misuse costs the NHS around ₤1.6bn every year and causes health and social care problems for individuals and their families."

Drug rape

These include Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), ketamine (known as Special K), and gamma hydroxybutyrate (known as liquid ecstasy, GHB). Take care of your drinks , never leave them unattended, be wary of accepting drinks from strangers and be certain about anything else you are offered on the club scene. This message is for men too as homosexual rape is increasing according to the police. Videos of these rapes are in circulation.

If you think your drink has been spiked, tell someone immediately and stay with friends seeking medical attention if your condition worsens. If you think you have been drugged and attacked take a urine sample immediately (traces can disappear in 6 hours) and tell the police straight away. You will be taken seriously.

Rohypnol is probably the commonest rape drug. The manufacturers have added a blue dye now but old stocks may be in circulation and the dye may not be visible in some drinks. It produces sedative hypnotic effects, muscle relaxation and amnesia.

 Ketamine is tasteless, colourless and odourless and dissolves easily in a drink. It distorts the senses, creating feelings of confusion, reduces ability to see and react to danger and cane be very debilitating.

Gamma hydroxybutyrate is tasteless and odourless. In small doses it can create feelings of euphoria and increased libido. High doses can induce a deep sleep lasting one to four hours.

Drug rape trust: Rape and sexual abuse support centre 0208 683 3300.

Drug detection times using current testing kits

As employers increasingly use drug testing kits to enforce drug rules we are being asked how long after taking the drug can the test be positive. In 2004, we understand that the following give a rough idea but sensitivity is dependent on many factors and sensitivity of testing is improving all the time. Specialist laboratory input would vastly increase the detection rate particularly where traces of the drug can be detected in hair etc.

Alcohol: 6 hours to 1 day

Amphetamines: 1 to 4 days

Cocaine: 2 to 5 days

LSD: 1 to 4 days

Marijuana: up to 30 days

MDMA/Ecstasy: 1 to 4 days

Heroin & other opiates: 1 to 4 days

Support groups

See Medical Internet Links and Support and Self Help Groups

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