Addictions topics
Alcohol and alcohol abuse
Follow the links below to find out about alcohol and alcohol abuse, and the damage that alcohol can do to your unborn baby.
Alcohol
In Western society alcohol is an accepted part of normal social life, but when used in excess, it is a major cause of ill health, social and domestic problems.
Alcohol linked to cancer risk
Drinking alcohol often (3 or more days per week) increases cancer risk by nearly a third in women, while men's risk is linked to amount consumed, a study shows.
Alcohol abuse
Most people use alcohol in a responsible way, but it is important to remember that it is a drug.
Alcohol abuse linked to long work hours
Working at least 50 hours a week increases the risk of alcohol-related problems up to threefold.
Alcohol abuse-depression link
Problems with alcohol may lead to an increased risk of major depression.
Alcohol and bicycles: a bad combination
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is known to be dangerous, but cycling while drunk is no better.
Alcohol and Christmas: tips
Here are some tips to see you through the festive season intact!
Alcohol and effects on driving
Read about the effects of alcohol on driving, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Alcohol and social problems
All areas of a person's life can be affected by alcohol use: family, personal relationships, legal, health, work and finance.
Alcohol and the body
Read about how alcohol is absorbed into the body and some of its immediate effects.
Alcohol and the law
There are laws governing how alcohol can be sold and used.
Alcohol and women
Health authorities recommend women should drink less alcohol than men, for several reasons.
Alcohol large part of life for Aussie men
More than half of Australian men drink alcohol either daily or weekly, 6 per cent drink at levels placing them at risk, and almost a quarter think drinking will ease depression, surveys show.
Alcohol misuse after disasters is mostly short-term
Many people misuse alcohol after experiencing disasters, but few develop a new alcohol use disorder, a study has found.
Alcohol rated more harmful than heroin
Alcohol is the most harmful drug to the individual and society, followed by heroin and crack cocaine, according to UK drug experts.
Alcohol releases feel-good endorphins
Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins, so-called feel-good chemicals, in the brain, with heavy drinkers experiencing changes that make alcohol more pleasant, study shows for first time.
Alcohol: are you drinking too much?
Are you drinking too much alcohol? Check your intake with recommended Australian levels.
Alcohol: effects
Read about the effects of alcohol, both immediate and long-term, on your body.
Alcohol: how much is too much?
Too much alcohol can be bad for you. Find out the recommended limits for men and for women, and for other groups of people such as under 18s, 18-25 year olds, seniors and pregnant women.
Alcohol: how to drink less
Read about some tips for managing your alcohol consumption.
Alcohol: pregnancy and breast feeding
The safest approach to alcohol during pregnancy and breast feeding is to not drink at all.
Alcohol: tolerance and dependence
Drinking heavily on a regular basis can lead to a dependence on alcohol.
Alcohol: what is it?
Alcohol is a depressant drug, which means it slows down the activity of the central nervous system.
Alcohol: withdrawal and treatment
If a dependent person stops drinking alcohol, they may have withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, tremors, nausea and anxiety.
Alcoholic energy drinks causing concern
Drinking alcoholic caffeine-containing energy drinks has become normalised among young people, a survey suggests.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. The more a person drinks the higher their BAC.
Drinkers misunderstand risk of low-carb/lower-alcohol drinks
The false belief that low-carb beer and lower-calorie, lower-alcohol wine are 'healthier' may be leading people to drink more, experts warn.
Drug Action Week
Drug Action Week aims to educate the community around Australia about measures that reduce alcohol and drug-related harm.
Dry July
Dry July is an online sponsored challenge to give up alcohol for a month to raise funds to help adults living with cancer.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Drinking alcohol while pregnant or breast feeding can harm your baby. Find out about the features of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and how to prevent it.
Hangovers: how your body is affected
Find out what happens when you have a hangover - the unpleasant consequence of having overindulged.
Liver disease risk higher in overweight drinkers
The risk of liver disease may be increased among regular alcohol drinkers if they are also overweight.
New Year's health resolutions
New Year is a good time to think about making lifestyle changes that will benefit our health: quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce alcohol intake.
Standard drinks
An Australian standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. By counting standard drinks you can keep track of your drinking.
In Western society alcohol is an accepted part of normal social life, but when used in excess, it is a major cause of ill health, social and domestic problems.
Alcohol linked to cancer risk
Drinking alcohol often (3 or more days per week) increases cancer risk by nearly a third in women, while men's risk is linked to amount consumed, a study shows.
Alcohol abuse
Most people use alcohol in a responsible way, but it is important to remember that it is a drug.
Alcohol abuse linked to long work hours
Working at least 50 hours a week increases the risk of alcohol-related problems up to threefold.
Alcohol abuse-depression link
Problems with alcohol may lead to an increased risk of major depression.
Alcohol and bicycles: a bad combination
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is known to be dangerous, but cycling while drunk is no better.
Alcohol and Christmas: tips
Here are some tips to see you through the festive season intact!
Alcohol and effects on driving
Read about the effects of alcohol on driving, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Alcohol and social problems
All areas of a person's life can be affected by alcohol use: family, personal relationships, legal, health, work and finance.
Alcohol and the body
Read about how alcohol is absorbed into the body and some of its immediate effects.
Alcohol and the law
There are laws governing how alcohol can be sold and used.
Alcohol and women
Health authorities recommend women should drink less alcohol than men, for several reasons.
Alcohol large part of life for Aussie men
More than half of Australian men drink alcohol either daily or weekly, 6 per cent drink at levels placing them at risk, and almost a quarter think drinking will ease depression, surveys show.
Alcohol misuse after disasters is mostly short-term
Many people misuse alcohol after experiencing disasters, but few develop a new alcohol use disorder, a study has found.
Alcohol rated more harmful than heroin
Alcohol is the most harmful drug to the individual and society, followed by heroin and crack cocaine, according to UK drug experts.
Alcohol releases feel-good endorphins
Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins, so-called feel-good chemicals, in the brain, with heavy drinkers experiencing changes that make alcohol more pleasant, study shows for first time.
Alcohol: are you drinking too much?
Are you drinking too much alcohol? Check your intake with recommended Australian levels.
Alcohol: effects
Read about the effects of alcohol, both immediate and long-term, on your body.
Alcohol: how much is too much?
Too much alcohol can be bad for you. Find out the recommended limits for men and for women, and for other groups of people such as under 18s, 18-25 year olds, seniors and pregnant women.
Alcohol: how to drink less
Read about some tips for managing your alcohol consumption.
Alcohol: pregnancy and breast feeding
The safest approach to alcohol during pregnancy and breast feeding is to not drink at all.
Alcohol: tolerance and dependence
Drinking heavily on a regular basis can lead to a dependence on alcohol.
Alcohol: what is it?
Alcohol is a depressant drug, which means it slows down the activity of the central nervous system.
Alcohol: withdrawal and treatment
If a dependent person stops drinking alcohol, they may have withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, tremors, nausea and anxiety.
Alcoholic energy drinks causing concern
Drinking alcoholic caffeine-containing energy drinks has become normalised among young people, a survey suggests.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. The more a person drinks the higher their BAC.
Drinkers misunderstand risk of low-carb/lower-alcohol drinks
The false belief that low-carb beer and lower-calorie, lower-alcohol wine are 'healthier' may be leading people to drink more, experts warn.
Drug Action Week
Drug Action Week aims to educate the community around Australia about measures that reduce alcohol and drug-related harm.
Dry July
Dry July is an online sponsored challenge to give up alcohol for a month to raise funds to help adults living with cancer.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Drinking alcohol while pregnant or breast feeding can harm your baby. Find out about the features of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and how to prevent it.
Hangovers: how your body is affected
Find out what happens when you have a hangover - the unpleasant consequence of having overindulged.
Liver disease risk higher in overweight drinkers
The risk of liver disease may be increased among regular alcohol drinkers if they are also overweight.
New Year's health resolutions
New Year is a good time to think about making lifestyle changes that will benefit our health: quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce alcohol intake.
Standard drinks
An Australian standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. By counting standard drinks you can keep track of your drinking.
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