For many of us, alcohol and drugs are part of our lifestyle, as well as a coping mechanism.
We promote the point that choice around our lifestyle is mostly up to us. While genetics, environment and the health system can also impact on our health and wellbeing, in the context of drugs and alcohol the choice is ultimately ours and the consequences of use and misuse are clear and so are the laws.
As a community we need to have an honest conversation on why people use and abuse drugs and alcohol. Some reasons are:
- Risk taking – as boys and men we are hard wired to take risks
- Experimental and boredom
- Peer pressure
- Habit/ addiction
- Recreation – to have fun
- To feel good and forget, to cope with difficult times in our life, to self-medicate and mask
The reasons are complex and varied and through our life at various stages we have been challenged and we will continue to be challenged.
Recent research reveals some alarming statistics around drug use:
- 46 per cent of drug users use for fun.
- 54 per cent of drug users used for self-medication.
Regarding using drugs for fun, surely there are many other things we can do that don’t damage our body and mind, such as embracing and exploring our passions and interests.
The consequences of drug use are serious from several angles:
- The risk factor is extremely high for many illicit drugs. We may only have as few as three chances with a drug before we are affected either medically, and/or by addiction.
- Purity of an illegal drug is unknown and varied and we don’t know what’s in it?
- Health effects can be permanent, such as psychosis.
- There are many legal and financial implications for users.
- Relationships become fractured and can introduce conflict, violence and distrust.
With regard to self-medication, we need to acknowledge some of the ‘stuff’going on in our lives and some of the pain we may be suffering. Denial of this, exacerbated by drug use, and the impacts can be rapid and severe. We need to talk about, and ultimately deal with, stuff in our life, not self-medicate.
Alcohol is our biggest societal drug of choice. There is a lot of literature and research suggesting how alcohol is dangerous to our body when misused and this usually focuses on the appropriate daily standard drinks consumption, which again links to various diseases such as cancer and then societal issues around binge drinking.
On an individual level we need to work out if we can drink, and how do I behave when drinking. Take an external look at whether you get angry and aggressive or take unnecessary risks. Because alcohol is a mood enhancer, we need to know our safe limit. Have regular alcohol-free days and not use it to self-medicate when distressed, but rather to enjoy it.
The difficulty in life is choice. Illicit and excessive use of drugs and alcohol is all our personal choice and our responsibility.
What then can we do, as a society, about the misuse/abuse of drugs and alcohol?
Understanding there is help available and seeking support from your family and friends is a good starting point.
Primary care is standing up and saying no, it’s not all right. As a collective we can make a difference whether that is in the family, community group and/or workplace you are not alone.
As peers we can make a difference whether it be in the school, workplace or footy club by saying no, it’s not all right. We all have a right to a safe place!