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Welcome to Edition 18 of Today's Mix, our website newsletter. Subscribe and get a free copy every second month delivered to your inbox. Click here to subscribe to Today's Mix
Edition 18 - August 2007
It is often amazing to see what sort of uses some people make of alcohol. In the past it has been used as a disinfectant, an anaesthetic and a general purpose cleaner. Cleaning your car with it could definitely be called 'alcohol abuse', but research suggests that too many people are drinking to cope with emotions and situations that are difficult to manage and also to deal with feelings of anxiety and depression. It may be a multi-purpose substance, but its effectiveness for that purpose is definitely questionable. Two fingers of medication We keep finding that veterans use alcohol as a form of self-medication and many say that they prefer it to the medication that their doctors prescribe. They measure their dose by two generous fingers on the whiskey glass. It seems they have a fear of both the effects and side effects of most of the medications prescribed for anxiety and depression. Every time we have this discussion with veterans we hear about the heavy use of alcohol as a relaxant, stress reliever and aid to sleep. James is a peacekeeper veteran who said that "drinking was a relief from the everyday stress, rules and regulations". After leaving the Services he was prescribed medication for depression when he went to the doctor to discuss various problems he was having. He didn't like the idea of taking medication and didn't like the fact that it made him "a bit dozey". "I had already got used to drinking everyday, but then started drinking even more because it seemed better than the medication", James said. "But if anything, it all just got worse". Medicinal Purposes Strangely, even in some areas of the health profession, it is still sometimes thought that alcohol can be used for 'medicinal purposes'. According to the World Health Organisation there is evidence to show that alcohol can actually contribute to anxiety and depression and make it worse. Regular drinking changes the chemistry of the brain and depletes the neurotransmitters the brain needs to prevent anxiety and depression naturally. There are many other things we can do to enhance the production and balance of these neurotransmitters. One of our peacekeeper veterans said "doing anything physical is good', and he is right. At least fifteen to thirty minutes of exercise or physical activity a day can have a significant effect on lifting and improving our mood. Being involved with others, eating well and developing a good sleeping pattern also make a significant difference. For anyone already on medication alcohol will reduce its effectiveness and if you are using alcohol as medication then you probably are …..shaken, stirred and confused. Need Help? For more information or to order materials call 1800 011 046, check out the web site www.therightmix.gov.au, e-mail alcoholproject@dva.gov.au or write to: Alcohol Management Project Would someone you know like to get Today's Mix? Email them this link so they can subscribe:
Edition 17 - April 2007
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