Please! Has no one told young people that the brain is the first thing that is affected by alcohol?
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The part of the brain that tells us "I've had enough" doesn't work when one consumes a certain amount of alcohol.
First, who do you know can drink nine or 10 cans of soft drink in quick succession or several litres of water in quick succession?
Or continue eating after they have consumed a huge three-course meal?
Of course they cannot comfortably continue, because the brain is telling them that they have had sufficient, and of course you stop when you have had enough.
Secondly, the liver is affected by alcohol.
The liver acts like a sponge and retains a measure of alcohol from the evening prior, eventually, the day after a drunken binge, or even over indulgence in a smaller way, your body is still retaining alcohol, and consequently you are rarely completely sober, hence the reason some people have to be hospitalised to "dry out".
Thirdly, eventually, the extremities are affected, the legs and arms don't function properly, and speech is also affected due to the fact that each time you do get drunk, you lose brain cells, and they don't regenerate.
Starting this succession of binge drinking or over imbibing often and even worse drug use along with it is a recipe for disaster, if not immediately, especially in later life.
Young people reading this are probably thinking "what does she know?"
Well, let me tell you, my father was an alcoholic, the loveliest human being you could wish to imagine drunk or sober (thankfully, he wasn't an abusive drunk).
His liver was affected at a reasonably young age, and he could barely walk as he aged.
His brain had been affected to the point that when he did finally stop drinking, he would be asked to leave some premises simply because he spoke like a drunk and walked like a drunk, his brain, liver and extremities had all been affected.
He had several slight strokes, which eventuated in him having to eat alone, because he couldn't swallow properly, and food would enter the lung if he didn't concentrate completely on swallowing.
This, or worse could happen to you young people if you don't take stock of what you are doing to your own body, and your own brain.
At 15 years of age, I attended AA meetings for family members affected by alcoholism, in an effort to help my father and my mother.
Their advice was difficult to follow, but it did help.
Another interesting fact is that an alcoholic does not necessarily binge drink, if one has the need to consume alcohol on a daily basis, they are either already an alcoholic or well on the way to becoming one.
It may all seem like fun now, but you will pay for your 'over imbibing' before long, so think please do you want your children to grow up with a drunk for a father or mother?
Do you want your children to have to scrape you from off the floor or pavement? Or have to clean up after you?
Do you want to spend years in prison because you have become an aggressive drunk or even caused an accident in your vehicle causing harm to someone else?
Or will you choose to be responsible and be a good example to your friends and family, especially your future family, your children especially?
This is a new year, why not start now?
Give it a try, you will only feel the benefit both in health and well-being and also in wealth, as the consumption of alcohol is an expensive pastime.
Not to mention the fines incurred.
Happy new year to everyone and a healthier one for those who have taken note.
C McMahon
Wagga
I would like to congratulate all those involved with the planning and running of Wagga Live New Year's event.
To see the amount of residents that supported this event was truly amazing.
To all the local entertainers, thank you how lucky is Wagga to have such a talented group?
To the residents of Wagga, thank you for supporting this spectacular event definitely one to put on the calendar.
I would like to invite you all to attend this year's Australia Day celebrations to be held in the Victory Memorial Gardens.
On Friday, January 24: there will be a concert in the park, the Kapooka Army Band plus much more.
Saturday, January 25: Movies in the Park Backyard Ashes.
Sunday, January 26: Australia Day Markets in the Park and much, much more.
Keep your eye out in The Daily Advertiser for more details.
Laurie Blowes
North Wagga