Diocese of Down and Connor - SignpostsIrish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative 5 Signposts Mental Health While people may think alcohol helps them to cope with difficult situations and emotions,

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THE D IOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR

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The Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative (IDBI)

The Irish Bishops’ Drug Initiative (IBDI) was established in 1997 as a Catholic Church response to the growing problem of

drug and alcohol misuse in Ireland.

The IBDI seeks to mobilise parish communities, together with other service providers, to make appropriate pastoral responses to prevent alcohol and drug misuse, and to respond to issues arising

from the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs.

This booklet has been designed to signpost sources of advice and support for our parish communities.

It can be used by Parish Pastoral Councils, school and youth groups, and parents, carers and families worried about substance misuse.

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Alcohol

How much is too much?Most people accept that too much alcohol can be bad for you. But do you know how much is too much?

What’s recommended?Drinking guidelines have been developed for people over 18 years of age, based on medical advice.

MenIt is recommended that men drink no more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day and no more than 21 units over the course of the week.

WomenIt is recommended that women drink no more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day and no more than 14 units over the course of the week.

Remember, that for each unit you drink over the daily limit, the risk to your health increases. It’s important to spread the units throughout the week - you can’t “save up” your units for the weekend or a party.

Drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously damage the development of the unborn baby.

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Older People (Over 55’s)

Some bodies such as the Institute of Alcohol Studies and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have noted that safer drinking levels for older people could actually be less than the recommended weekly or daily limits noted above, given that they break down alcohol more slowly than when they were younger.

The effects of alcohol

Many people enjoy a drink without any problems. Binge drinking or drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual but is damaging to relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime, accidents and drink driving.

Long-term effects

As well as the recognised immediate effects of drinking too much, like nausea/vomiting, binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking over longer periods of time can result in a range of problems including;

• Brain damage• Cancers• Heart and Circulation Problems• Liver cirrhosis• Stomach ulcers/ Gastritis• Inflammation of the Pancreas• High Blood pressure

More than seven out of ten adults in

Northern Ireland drink alcohol.

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Mental Health

While people may think alcohol helps them to cope with difficult situations and emotions, to reduce stress or relieve anxiety, alcohol is in fact associated with a range of mental health problems, including depression.

Excessive drinking can also disrupt normal sleeping patterns resulting in insomnia and a lack of restful sleep which can contribute to stress and anxiety.

Other effects

Alcohol affects the parts of your brain that control judgment, concentration, coordination, behaviour and emotions. If you are binge drinking, you may be at greater risk of:

• becoming a victim of crime, e.g. rape, domestic violence, mugging or assault;

• being involved in antisocial or criminal behaviour, e.g. fights, domestic violence, vandalism or theft;

• having an accident, e.g. a road accident, fall, accident at work or accidental fire;

• losing your job, e.g. repeated absence or poor performance. • damaging relationships with family or friends.

For more information about alcohol go to:http://knowyourlimits.info

Younger adults (18-29 years) are more likely to drink than older adults (60-75 years).

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DrugsA much smaller percentage of the population take drugs, and while such use may not always lead to problematic use, any amount of drugs can have adverse effects on our mental and physical health. Using drugs often can have unexpected negative consequences because you’re never 100% sure what’s in the drug and how you will react.

All drugs affect us in ways we can often underestimate. Different people will react differently to different drugs, resulting in individual effects and experiences. The factors that can influence the effect of drugs include:

• the amount and how quickly taken;• where a drug has been used;• whether it has been mixed with other drugs or with alcohol;• mood prior to use;• general health and body type, gender and age.

For more information about alcohol and/or drugs please access the websites on the page opposite.

Over a quarter of the NI population (16-64) have used drugs. Current use of any drug was reported as 3.3%. (Drug Prevalence Survey 2010/11);

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http://www.drugs.ie

http://www.talktofrank.com/Signposts

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Risks of Alcohol and Drug Misuse on Young PeopleAlthough most young people who experiment with alcohol and other drugs don’t experience major issues, alcohol and drug use can cause many and varied problems. Using legal or illegal drugs may not only affect the young people themselves, but also friends, family and others around them.

The short term risks of alcohol and other drug use include risk of injury, loss of possessions, relationship problems, time away from school or work, and perhaps even trouble with the law. The longer term risks include the risk of developmental problems, dependence, and chronic health problems.

People who start drinking/taking drugs at a young age are more likely to have an alcohol or drug problem later in life. The following advice in relation to alcohol has been provided by the Chief Medical Officer for NI.

• Parents and carers should ensure that their children maintain an alcohol-free childhood for as long as possible and at the very least up to and including the age of 14 years.

• Parents and carers who choose to allow their children to consume alcohol at age 15 or older should promote lower-risk drinking. Young people should never exceed recommended adult daily limits and should not drink on more than one day a week.

• Drunkenness should never be a condition experienced in childhood.

For more information about this and other matters concerning alcohol, pick up the booklet You, Your Child and Alcohol. Your parish may have some copies. Alternatively you can download the booklet from:http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/you__your_child_and_alcohol_booklet.pdfSignposts

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Think about how your own drinking behaviour may impact on your children’s attitude to alcohol

Do you ever Situation Possible message to your child

drink to relax or relieve stress?

After a hard day at work the first thing you do is open a bottle of wine or beer.

Could your child see alcohol as an adult way to relieve stress or anxiety and think drinking would be a grown up way of coping with exam pressure or other difficulties in their life?

drink to get drunk? You tend to use alcohol to get drunk and don’t pay much attention to recommended daily guidelines

Would your child think alcohol is for getting you drunk and that advice on recommended daily guidelines is meaningless and can just be ignored?

joke about being drunk?

You enjoy having a joke about things you or others have done while drunk.

Could your child think you approve of people getting drunk and doing silly things? Might they think, if you find it funny when people get drunk, you won’t mind too much if they do it?

ignore your own advice?

You’ve advised your child about the risks associated with drinking too much, but when it comes to your own drinking you ignore this advice.

Could your child think guidelines and boundaries around drinking aren’t important and don’t need to be kept to?

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Where to get HelpThe Public Health Agency produces information on local drug and alcohol services in Northern Ireland. There are 5 directories covering each Health and Social Care Trust Area. Visit the website below to access the information.

To access information about the services available in your Trust area, follow the links below:

1 Go to the Public Health Agency website:www.publichealth.hscni.net/Signposts

2 Click on “Publications”

3 Scroll down to “Drug and Alcohol Directories of Services”

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4 Open this link and you will find the directory relevant to your area.

Drugs & Alcohol Directory Belfast Trust Drugs & Alcohol Directory Northern Trust Drugs & Alcohol Directory South Eastern Trust Drugs & Alcohol Directory Southern Trust Drugs & Alcohol Directory Western Trust

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In addition to these services AA/NA and ALON support groups exist in most areas. Visit the following websites to find out about a support group in your area.

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

7 Donegal Street, Belfast: BT12FN | Tel Number: 9043 4848

http://www.nanorthernireland.com/

http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk

ICAP (Inter Church Addiction Project)

ICAP Counselling is a therapeutic support service for young people under the age of 21, and their families, whose lives have been adversely affected by the use of alcohol and other drugs. Services include a confidential one to one counselling service, family support service, and information.

We are based at 683 Antrim Road. Tel: 07500 863625Email: [email protected]

School Awareness ProgrammeIf your child is in Year 6/7 of Primary School, s/he may be taking part in an alcohol awareness programme called “CHOICES”. This programme is often included as part of the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please take the time to discuss the booklet with your child.

Copies are available from Living Youth.www.livingyouthni.org

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Mental Health PromotionHaving good mental health and emotional wellbeing is important. It isn’t just about avoiding mental health problems. It means feeling good about yourself and coping well with the everyday pressures of life. Good mental health is a protective factor in reducing the negative effects of drugs and alcohol.

For information about how to look after your mental health go to:www.mindingyourhead.infoSignposts

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Support for People who are Experiencing Distress or DespairPeople living in Northern Ireland can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000

Calls to Lifeline are FREE to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.

Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence.

Lifeline counsellors are experienced in working with trauma, suicide, self-harm, abuse, depression and anxiety. You will receive immediate help on the phone. Should you need further support we can provide a face-to-face counselling appointment in your local area within seven days.Lifeline also provides support and guidance to families and carers, concerned friends, professionals, teachers, youth workers, clergy and communities.

Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on:18001 0808 808 8000

http://www.lifelinehelpline.info/Signposts

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Other Useful SourcesIBDI Ireland

IBDI Ireland provides a range of useful materials for parishes, including liturgy resources, prayers of the faithful, and homily notes all based around the subject of substance misuse. They have recently produced a Prayerbook for those affected by addiction. They can also provide parishes with training programmes for parents, young people, and pastoral councils.

Email: [email protected]

IDBI - Down and Connor Advisory Group

The Down and Connor Advisory Group was set up in February 2011 with the aim of implementing the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative within the Diocese. The initiative seeks to mobilise parish communities, together with other service providers to contribute towards the growth of a safer and healthier community by developing a range of strategies which empowers people to make better life choices in relation to alcohol and drug use and enables individuals to achieve a lifestyle which supports positive mental health. Over the next twelve months the IBDI advisory group plans to take forward a range of initiatves to highlight the issues raised by alcohol and drug misuse.

For further information on the work of IBDI in Down and Connor, contact Professor Martin Bradley (Chair) Email: [email protected]

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Acknowledgements The IBDI Down and Connor Advisory Group

would like to thank the following for their help with the production of this booklet:

The Irish Bishops’ Drugs InitiativeThe Public Health Agency

S Design (www.sdesign-belfast.com)

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