Both of these can lead to you embarrassing yourself and your friends, being ill, making bad decisions (if you don’t fancy someone when you’re sober, you don’t want to go there when you’re drunk or on drugs), getting into fights or being aggressive.
Some people will also take advantage of you if you’re too drunk or too drugged up to know what you’re doing.
If you are experiencing these problems contact Addaction: 0151 422 1422
Alcohol
Alcohol lowers our inhibitions which means that we could take more risks than we would when sober…
We tend to be more trusting after drinking alcohol and when you have got your ‘beer goggles’ on you may end up going off with or having sex with someone that you would not usually go with if sober.
You may forget or decide not to use a condom
If you do remember to use a condom, being drunk means that you’re more likely to put it on wrong or split it.
In addition… In both men and women, who drink heavily over prolonged periods, can shrink external genitals!
Poor sexual performance
Alcohol numbs the nerve cells in our sex organs, which can make it very difficult to reach orgasm. It can also stop men from getting and keeping an erection and stop women from producing enough natural lubrication for pain-free sex.
Drinking too much is also linked with depression, which can lead to a decrease sexual desire.
Infertility
If you are trying for a baby it is advised that you should stop drinking alcohol to increase your chances of conceiving, as some women who drink heavily can find it harder to get pregnant. Women who drink heavily can also find that their periods may stop altogether.
Excessive alcohol use in men can make them less fertile; it can kill sperm and lead to temporary impotence.
Unwanted pregnancy
Drunken sex can to lead to unplanned pregnancies, and also puts you at higher risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases.
Damage to unborn babies
Alcohol can affect your unborn baby, because whatever alcohol you drink passes to the baby through the placenta. Babies are so tiny and the liver is one of the last organs to develop, therefore the alcohol has a greater and longer lasting affect on the baby than it does on you.
Drinking alcohol heavily during pregnancy and binge drinking can lead to a range of problems which are associated with FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). So if you are pregnant avoid alcohol altogether, this is because no one knows what a safe level is and NEVER GET DRUNK
Local Alcohol and Drugs Services for Halton
Halton Drug and Alcohol Service
Ashley House
Ashley Way West
Widnes
WA8 7RP
Tel: 0845 601 1500
Fax: 0151 422 1401
Web: www.ashleyhousehalton.co.uk
Offers help, support and advice for anyone experiencing problems as a result of alcohol or drugs.
The Community Drug and Alcohol Team and Arch Initiatives are based here.
Young Addaction
1 Alcock Street
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 1NA
Tel: 01928 580242
Web: www.addaction.org.uk
A specialist substance misuse service and this extends to alcohol interventions, we also refer and signpost to others services such as sexual health, TP team and connexions etc, we work closely with all the schools/colleges within the borough delivering one to one sessions with YP and training around drug and alcohol related issues.
Health Improvement Team
Suite 1H Midwood House
Midwood Street
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 6BH
Tel: 01928 593005
Health Improvement Specialist – Alcohol
Email: jane.fradley@hsthpct.nhs.uk
A Public Health service to promote sensible drinking to reduce alcohol related harm. Support is offered with specialist advice, alcohol awareness, alcohol Identification and brief advice, brief intervention and supporting behaviour change training to organisations and professionals who work within the Halton and St Helens boroughs.
The Lighthouse Foundation
71 Lugsdale Road
Widnes
WA8 6BG
Tel: 0151 420 9784
Email: lighthousefoundation@hotmail.co.uk
Support service for individuals who are suffering from the effects of drugs/alcohol.
Local Alcohol and Drugs Services for St Helens
The Lifestyle Team
Balker House
Cowley Hill Lane
St Helens
WA10 2AP
Tel: 01744 457237
A Team of primary care nurses who support individuals with alcohol and drug problems, through brief interventions/treatment, community detox (if the individual meets the required criteria) and hospital liaison service.
The Windsor Clinic
University Hospital Aintree Site
Longmoor Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL
Weekly evening support groups in St Helens Millennium Centre Tuesday 6pm and 7.30pm
Tel: 0151 529 2450
Attached to the University Hospital in Liverpool, the Windsor clinic offers comprehensive medical treatment for individuals with alcohol problems.
St Helens YPDAAT (Under 19’s service)
2 Tickle Avenue
St Helens
WA9 1RZ
Tel: 01744 675605
Free, confidential support service for young people aged under 19 having problems with drugs or alcohol.
ARCH Initiatives
44-48 Claughton street
St Helens
WA10 1SN
Tel: 01744 730072
A Service that offers counselling, advice, needle exchange, substitute prescribing, access to detox, rehab and hostel liaison.
Useful links
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. They can put you in touch with local group meetings; call 0845 769 7555
Drinkline is the National Alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence, 24 hours a day. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for help and advice. Call 0800 917 8282.
www.units.nhs.uk
Know your units, know your limits. This NHS website has been specifically designed to warn about the dangers of excess drinking
www.drinkcheck.nhs.uk
DrinkCheck can help you find out more about your drinking. Just answer the 10 questions.
www.drinkawaretrust.org.uk
The Drinkaware Trust is an independent UK-wide organization that aims to improve our drinking behaviour and the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.
www.truthaboutbooze.com
A new website from the Drinkaware Trust, designed by teenagers, to help educate young people about the dangers of drinking on their own terms.
www.downyourdrink.org.uk
An online self-help programme for anyone worried about their drinking, providing an interactive six-week programme to help you cut down; confidential, free and accessible 24 hours a day.
www.addaction.org.uk
Addaction is a UK-wide treatment agency, helping individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
www.adfam.org.uk
ADFAM offers information and advice for families of alcohol and drug users. The website has a list of local family support services. Telephone: 020 7553 7640
www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Worldwide organisation Al-Anon offering support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Confidential Helpline: 020 740 30 888, open from 10am to 10pm
www.nofas-uk.org
The National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, offering a helpline, newsletter, information and a support group for families.
www.talktofrank.com
National drugs awareness site for young people and parents/carers.
Confidential helpline: 0800 77 66 00.
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. Who work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems.
www.ias.org.uk
The Institute of Alcohol Studies is an independent organisation with the broad aim of increasing awareness of alcohol related issues in society.
Footsteps
Tontine House
24 Church Street
St Helens
WA10 1BSD
Tel: 01744 457110
Footsteps is for anyone worried about drug or alcohol use in their family.
Health Improvement Team
1st Floor, The Gables
Cowley Hill Lane
St Helens
WA10 2AP
Tel: 01744 621860
Health Improvement Specialist – Alcohol
Email: lynn.saunders@hsthpct.nhs.uk
A Public Health service to promote sensible drinking and reduce alcohol related harm. Support is offered with specialist advice, alcohol awareness, alcohol Identification and brief advice, brief intervention and supporting behaviour change training to organisations and professionals who work within the Halton and St Helens boroughs.
Drugs & Alcohol