SCIENTIFIC FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

All alcoholic beverages contain the same

mood-changing chemical - ethyl alcohol.

Only the percentage differs

Whisky / Brandy /
Arrack / Rum
40 50 %

Wine

Beer

10 12 %

68%

Alcohol is a depressant that

slows down and reduces the
activity of the brain

Alcohol contains absolutely no nutrients

 Alcohol cannot help develop a good physique

It can only give you

an
ugly paunch

Alcohol does not

relieve stress / tension

induce good sleep

improve health condition

help to solve problems

Alcohol cannot make you

handsome
witty
intelligent

Alcohol cannot add to your personality

It only gets you drunk !

Alcohol affects
the entire system
and

STOMACH THE ENTRY POINT

Slows down and interferes with digestion

Irritates the lining of the food pipe and stomach

Causes gastritis and ulcer

Increases incidence of cancer

LIVER THE BODYS CHEMICAL

FACTORY

The liver metabolises / breaks down food to

facilitate absorption

LIVER

(contd..)

Excessive use of alcohol can damage the liver

and cause

hepatitis

fatty liver

cirrhosis

Alcohol metabolism is a complex process. It

takes the liver about 1 hr. to break down one
drink of
alcohol
Cold shower, hot coffee,
lime
juice - none of these can
remove alcohol from the blood

BRAIN THE CONTROL CENTRE

Alcohol slows down the functioning of the brain

In small quantities, alcohol suppresses inhibitions

As alcohol concentration increases in the blood,

more and more centres in the brain are affected

BRAIN
Excessive

(contd)

use of alcohol can

affect the ability to understand and make decisions

trigger off psychiatric problems

damage the brain cells permanently

HEART THE LIFE LINE

Alcohol interferes with the normal rhythm of the heart

Excessive use of alcohol
damages the blood vessels
weakens the heart muscles
causes enlargement of the heart

OTHER EFFECTS

Neuritis

Pancreatitis

Degeneration of muscles

Malnutrition

Skin problems

Sexual problems

1 unit of alcohol is equivalent to

1/2 bottle of beer
or
30ml of hard liquor

How many units of alcohol do you

drink
in a week?

AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL
CONSUMED PER WEEK
0 unit

- White Zone
Smart decision

1 - 7 units - Green Zone

Safe limit
8 - 20 units - Amber Zone
Watch out!!
21 & more - Red Zone
Quit before it is too late

How many units did you have last week?

No alcohol
You are in the white zone
Great !
Stay this way

WHITE ZONE
TEETOTALLERS

Whatever the reason, your decision is a

smart one

Alcohol cannot add to your life style or well

being

Reinforce your decision to stay WHITE

1-7 UNITS IN A WEEK

YOU ARE IN THE GREEN ZONE
Safe level of drinking
Yet, continue to count your drinks
Make sure that you dont cross the green zone

When you drink, never drink

more than 3 units in a day

Make sure that you stay off

alcohol at least 4 days a
week

Whenever you drink,

ask yourself
Why?
rather than
Why not?

8-20 UNITS IN A WEEK

YOU ARE IN THE AMBER ZONE

Watch out !! Your drinking is no longer safe

You need to Cut down! your drinking and do it

right away too

Progressing from amber to red can be quick!

You may become a problem drinker soon

Never think, It will not happen to me!

TIPS TO REDUCE DRINKING

Avoid situations where the main activity is drinking
Plan ahead and set a safe limit before you drink
Dont let anybody

force
manipulate you to drink more

..

TIPS TO REDUCE DRINKING

When offered more, say No, thanks.

I have had enough

(contd..)

JUST SAY
NO, Thank you

Opt for lighter types of alcoholic

beverages like beer / wine

Drink slowly and space your drinks. Never gulp

Get - togethers are for socialising and getting

to know one another.
Just drinking together is not really fun!

Caring for each other and being supportive are

signs of true friendship
Getting drunk together is definitely not !

21 Units and more

You are in the RED ZONE
Problem drinking is already in
Take help and quit before it is too late
Alcoholism is a disease that can happen to anyone

You can quit and live fully .

Thousands have done it

You too can!

ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE

age,
education,
financial position,
or family background
has nothing to do with it

Alcoholism is treatable - take help

Reaching out for help is a
sign of wisdom not weakness