Understanding Alcohol and Drugs: Perspectives and Decisions
Explore cultural, health, and faith perspectives on alcohol and drugs in Ireland. Learn to make responsible decisions regarding alcohol consumption and peer pressure. Understand the effects of alcohol on mental health and the importance of moderation.
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Year C Module 3: My responsibilities 10. Alcohol and Drugs
10. Alcohol and Drugs Alcohol and Drugs In this unit we will: 1. Discuss cultural attitudes in Ireland towards alcohol and binge-drinking. 2. Identify ways of standing up to peer pressure about alcohol. 3. Recognise the link between cannabis use and mental health difficulties. 4. Make personal decisions about how to look after my health with relation to alcohol and drugs.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Life skill focus Temperance: Practicing self-control now with food so that you can have self- control with alcohol later in life. Fortitude: Standing up to and resisting negative peer pressure.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Thinking critically discuss Around the world, the Irish are seen as prone to drunkenness. Why do you think that is? Is there any truth in the stereotype? Why do people misuse alcohol and drink more than the recommended units? Do you think over drinking is seen as normal in Irish culture? Do you think everyone likes the taste of alcohol? If not, why would they continue to drink? What about people who don t drink do you think they feel peer pressure?
10. Alcohol and Drugs Thinking critically, learning with others Cultural perspective Drinking until the point of vomiting or blacking out is normalised and even trivialised everyone does it , it s part of being Irish, etc. Peer pressure is placed on those who do not wish to drink in this way. The sign of a good night out is that you can t remember any of it.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Thinking critically, learning with others Health perspective Too much alcohol consumption can damage the body both directly and indirectly. Consumption should be delayed until at least the age of 18 to try protect you from getting addicted to alcohol and other drugs. A healthy attitude to alcohol involves drinking in moderation to avoid the negative consequences of over drinking.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Thinking critically, learning with others Faith perspective You are body and soul, created by God for love. Your body deserves respect. Alcohol can be enjoyed socially. Jesus drank wine, and his first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Drink in moderation can be good and you have been given power to make good decisions. Drinking to the point of being physically ill, or losing control of your decisions is wrong it is dehumanising and does not show respect and honour for who you are. Temperance will help you to make good choices. God gives you grace to choose what is right. If you make mistakes you can get up and try again.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Discuss What attitudes to alcohol and to over drinking have you heard the most? What are your own thoughts on over drinking? Over drinking is more of a problem in Irish and British culture than in other European countries. Any ideas why this might be? How do you feel about people in Ireland being portrayed as over drinkers? What role do you think peer pressure has in how much alcohol teenagers consume? Why do you think teenagers are so susceptible to peer pressure? How can you take responsibility for your use of alcohol?
10. Alcohol and Drugs Pair work: Learning with others, recording information After how many cans of beer or bottles of alcoholic drink would the adult be more likely to: Get in a fight Engage in unplanned sexual activity Be at risk of falling Need to go to hospital Lose their wallet Have limited memory of what happened Endanger their life
10. Alcohol and Drugs Scenario: Tom is 18 and he has had three cans of beer, but doesn t want any more. His friends start putting pressure on him. Which of these reasons for not drinking are they likely to respect: He has work tomorrow He s playing in a match tomorrow There s a girl he likes at the party and he doesn t want to make a fool of himself in front of her He promised his parents he wouldn t drink too much He s planning on studying tomorrow for the exams and he wants a clear head
10. Alcohol and Drugs Discuss 1. Is it easy to resist peer pressure around alcohol? 2. Is there any difference between how young men and young women experience peer pressure to engage in underage drinking?
10. Alcohol and Drugs Cannabis is probably the most widely used drug apart from alcohol and tobacco. Many people consider this to be harmless, and don t realise the very serious mental health problems associated with cannabis use. Any drug will make you more at risk of anxiety and depression, but cannabis use is also linked to a higher risk of serious psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia. Paranoia, hearing voices, and feeling suicidal are other possible side effects.
10. Alcohol and Drugs The best way you can protect yourself is to avoid illegal drugs altogether and delay alcohol use until over the age of 18.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Be responsible, be aware 1. Reflect -how can I take care of my body and my mental health when it comes to alcohol and drugs? 2. How can I resist peer pressure to drink or take drugs?
10. Alcohol and Drugs Read the following code of conduct and reflect on what you might like to adopt: 1. I will engage with alcohol in a healthy way, delaying any drinking until at least the age of 18. 2. I will look after my physical and mental health by ALWAYS saying NO to drugs. 3. When I am 18, I can explore alcoholic drinks in a safe environment with family or close friends who will be there to look out for me. 4. I will always respect the boundaries of others when it comes to alcohol -I will never put pressure on another person to drink. 5. If I witness someone who has taken too much alcohol and is potentially in danger, I will take action to keep them safe for example by getting medical help if necessary, calling a family member, making sure they are not walking home alone. 6. I choose not to be a part of a binge drinking culture. 7. I choose to break free of the stereotype of the Irish or British drinker and use alcohol in moderation, with respect for myself and others.
10. Alcohol and Drugs Build resilience, be respected Remember the real you The person that you aim to be.. The respect that you deserve, and the respect that you can give to others How might alcohol or drugs get in the way of you living out your vision of who you would like to be? How can you stay true to yourself and have firm boundaries around the use of alcohol and drugs? Write a plan for how you will stay safe and take care of your health, respecting yourself and others when it comes to alcohol. You might like to use the code of conduct above as a starting point.
