It’s almost party season, right?
Maybe there’s an office party or a family gathering planned.
Maybe you are feeling a little excited at the prospect of some fun – God knows we deserve it after the year we’ve had. Perhaps you’re planning on having a few drinks, probably one too many, and acting silly with friends for a few hours. No harm in that, right…?
Maybe you are dreading the thought of spending time with others and feel like you need a drink or a little something to get you through the experience.
Whatever your plans are for the festive season I’m not here to judge. But if they involve alcohol or other substances, then please take a minute to read on so you can make a choice from an informed place.
The 4 most popular substances used & abused in the UK & Ireland are Alcohol, Cannabis, MDMA/Ecstasy and Cocaine. So, if you’ll excuse the pun… here’s the craic:
Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for most people. 1 in 15 people in Ireland are classified as problematic drinkers. That is, someone whose drinking habits are adversely effecting their lives.
Alcohol
You can see from this Healthline.com infographic that the physiological impacts of using alcohol are not only broad but quite serious and range from a headache to organ failure & potentially death.
Despite what you read in the press from time to time, there is no safe level of alcohol use. Alcohol in all its forms is toxic to humans which is one of the reasons why you may suffer the day after drinking or find yourself throwing up after having one too many. Your body is trying to rid itself of a toxin.
Cannabis
Potential health problems include:
- Inhibited Brain development in the young.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bronchitis
- Lung Cancer
- Weakened Immune System
See the healthline.com infographic for more info.
Let’s be clear, is a world of difference between the CBD products you can buy in the pharmacy & the cannabis you buy on the street. CBD products do not include THC, which is the chemical compound that delivers the stoned experience users get from street product.
MDMA/Ecstasy
Use of MDMA involves taking some serious risks. Potential effects are:
- Hyperthermia
- Cardiovascular effects including cardiac arrest
- Impaired mental function
- Overdose
- Risk taking
Use of MDMA lowers your inhibitions and impairs your cognitive functioning so risky behaviour becomes more likely, making users unwittingly vulnerable.
Cocaine use exposes the user to some potentially serious health consequences such as:
- Malnourishment
- Overdose
- Pneumonia
- Bowel Decay
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Skin Infections
- Seizures
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Breathing problems
- High Body Temperature
- High Blood Pressure
- Premature Aging of the Brain
Studies have shown that people who use cocaine lose twice as much grey matter in the brain as non-users.
It is very dangerous to mix substances. For further information on how some of these drugs effect the body & mind when used together with other substances, see our post on Polydrug Use: Polydrug Use – Mixing Substances – Integrative Counselling And Psychotherapy (broadmindstherapy.org)
If you’re thinking of trying to spice things up this Christmas & New Year period please think again.
If substances have become a coping mechanism for you then the reality is that alcohol or drugs won’t address the primary problem. The good news is that there are great support options available to you.
If you would like to talk about alcohol or substance use, or any other mental health issue, feel free to contact BroadMinds Therapy where your enquiry will be dealt with discretely, privately & in complete confidence. We remain open for business as usual. You can reach us on (+353) 0899420568, email help@broadmindstherapy.org or message us via our web page or facebook page:
Finally, if you like what you read, please like & share and help us help as many people as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Integrative Counselling And Psychotherapy 