Alcohol and You

“All my friends drink,” you might be saying to yourself. But does that mean you should? Before you hoist a brew—or two or more—you might want to stop and think before you drink. Having hemophilia doesn’t in and of itself mean you can’t drink. If you also have Hepatitis C and/or are HIV-positive and taking anti-retroviral drugs, then excessive drinking can cause serious damage to your liver. Otherwise, having an occasional drink is not likely to cause any health problems because of your hemophilia. But drinking does have its own inherent dangers and you should keep them in mind when deciding whether or not to drink. First of all, be aware that teens and young adults have a tendency to binge drink (having five or more drinks on one occasion). This excessive drinking can lead to injury and risky behavior such as driving while drunk and having unprotected sex. A loss of inhibition and judgment can also lead to attempting feats of machismo—scaling walls or getting into fights, for example—that place you at risk of injury and make you less able to deal with a bleed if it happens. Teens who drink are also at risk for lifelong alcohol abuse which can lead to serious and sometimes fatal illnesses such as cirrhosis of the liver or stomach ulcers.

Did You Know…

• Scientists have found that the human brain continues to develop into a person’s early 20s. The use of alcohol while the brain is still developing can have long-lasting effects on intellectual capabilities as well as increase the risk of alcohol addiction.
• Alcohol can magnify feelings of depression and stress and contribute to attempted and actual suicides. Teens who binge drink are four times as likely to attempt suicide as those who don’t drink.
• Drinking increases the likelihood of sexual activity. (And what’s wrong with that, you’re probably asking yourself?) Just keep in mind that these may be risky sexual encounters, with people you don’t know (meaning you also don’t know their health history), and without using adequate birth control and protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Teens who drink are also more likely to use other drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, or inhalants, and/or carry a weapon.

When Drinking is a Problem

For any one of a number of reasons, you may decide that you don’t want to drink, but all your friends do. If a simple “No, thank you,” doesn’t stop your friends from pressuring you to drink, you could try saying, “Hey, I’ve got a test in the morning,” “I’m in training,” or even “I’m allergic to alcohol.” If you still feel uncomfortable in social situations where a lot of drinking is going on, ask your family doctor or someone else you trust for advice. If you and your friends are already drinking, how do you know if you have a problem with alcohol? If drinking causes trouble in your relationships, in school and in your activities, or affects how you think and feel, then you have a problem. Can you answer “yes” to any of these questions?

• Do you drink more than you intend to?
• Have you tried to cut back on your drinking but haven’t been successful?
• Do you have blackouts (not being able to remember where you’ve been or what you’ve done) while drinking?
• Have you developed problems at school, at work, or in your relationships since you’ve been drinking (or have these problems gotten worse)?
• Do you still drink even though you’re aware of these problems?
• Do you drink when you feel stressed or depressed?
• Do you drink when you’re alone?
• Do you have a higher tolerance for alcohol now than you used to?
• Do you ever feel uncomfortable (emotionally or physically) when you haven’t had a drink?
• Do you drink in situations where it’s important for you to be sober (i.e., taking a test at school, being at work, driving)?

If you think you do have a problem with alcohol, talk to your doctor, your parents, a school counselor, or a spiritual advisor. If you’re not comfortable talking to someone you know, contact Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org), an organization that helps people with drinking problems.

How to Drink Responsibly

It is possible, of course, to drink responsibly. Drinking sensibly means not binge drinking, not drinking when you’re tired, sick, taking certain medications, or when acting as the designated driver. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy an alcoholic drink while still being a responsible drinker:

• Know your limit. Most people find that having no more than one alcoholic drink per hour will help them avoid becoming drunk and allow them to remain in control of their behavior. For some people, however, just one drink a night is enough.
• Eat while you drink. High-protein foods like cheese and nuts will slow the absorption of alcohol into your body. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
• Sip, don’t gulp. Not only will this add to the enjoyment of the drink (especially wine), it will slow down your alcohol consumption over the course of an evening.
• Skip a drink. If you’re at a party, alternate an alcoholic drink with a nonalcoholic drink.
• Beware of unfamiliar drinks. Some drinks, like fruit- or rum-based drinks, may not taste alcoholic at all and you may wind up drinking far more than you would otherwise.
• Drink alcohol as part of an activity, not as the sole activity. Get together with the guys to watch a game, not simply to drink the night away.
• Select a designated driver. Make sure there is one member of your party who will not drink and will be available to drive you and your friends home. This could even be you.
• Be careful if you’re taking other drugs. Alcohol often doesn’t mix with other drugs, whether they’re over-the-counter—such cough or cold medications—or prescription drugs—such as antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-arthritis, or pain-relieving drugs. Ask your doctor whether drinking is safe with the other medications you are taking.
• Don’t pressure others to drink. Some people don’t drink for religious or medical reasons. They may be recovering alcoholics, or they may not like the taste or effect of alcohol. If someone is offered a drink and declines, respect his or her decision.