Alcohol – Medium to High Risk

Thanks for using our self-assessment tool; you have indicated that you are using alcohol at a medium-high level.

We know that alcohol use can have desirable short term effects like feeling more confident , feeling happier and feeling more relaxed and as you’re probably well aware; any alcohol use can have short term negative effects like intoxication, blurred vision, clumsiness, confusion, slurred speech, memory loss, nausea, vomiting and passing out.

Long term negative effects of using alcohol include erectile dysfunction and infertility, memory loss and/or brain damage, difficulties with pregnancy and becoming pregnant, depression, chronic liver disease, drug dependency, reduced liver function and an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.   Beyond the physical impacts, high risk alcohol use can also lead to financial, work and social problems.

The good news is that if you stop using alcohol you might start sleeping better be better hydrated (therefore feel better) and reduce your cancer risk.

Keep in mind that if you experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal like shaking, sweats, vomiting, anxiety and possibly seizures after stopping or reducing your alcohol use it may be dangerous to stop drinking suddenly. If you have been drinking a lot for a long period of time it’s a good idea to consult with a health professional if you are considering quitting your alcohol use. For more information on dependence and withdrawal check out this information from the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. 

To reduce the risks and harms associated with alcohol use, the safest option is not to use it.  However you can check out the National Health and Medical Research Council‘s guidelines for low risk drinking here.

If you would like to cut down your alcohol consumption check out our resources section, Touchbase  (an LGBTI focused website for alcohol and other drug information and support) or the World Health Organisation self-help manual.

Maybe it’s time to get in touch with ACON’s Substance support team? Substance Support provides confidential and FREE short term counselling for LGBTI people and people living with HIV seeking support in relation to their use of alcohol and other drugs. Substance Support counsellors’ work from a harm reduction approach to assist clients reach their goals to manage use, reduce or quit.

You can contact Substance Support here or on (02) 9206 2000. Counselling not your thing? You can also call the alcohol and drug information service (ADIS). ADIS is a 24 hour telephone based information, education, referral and support service call 9361 8000 in Sydney or 1800 422 599 (non-metro areas).