Q. What is a standard drink?

A standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol; the number of standard drinks in a container of alcohol is indicated on the label. In practical terms, a standard drink is equal to:

• one small glass of wine (100ml)
• one 30ml nip of spirits or one mixed drink with 30ml spirits
• two 285ml middies/pots/schooners of light beer (2.7% alcohol)
• one 375ml can or 1.6 middies of mid-strength beer (3.5%)
• one 285ml middy of full-strength beer (4.9%)
• ¾ of a 330ml bottle of ‘alcopop'.

Q. What are the Australian guidelines for low-risk drinking?

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) currently recommends the following general guidelines to minimise risks to your health, both in the short and long term, and to gain any longer-term health benefits:

• For men:
• No more than four standard drinks a day on average and no more than six standard drinks on any one day
• One or two alcohol-free days a week
• For women:
• No more than two standard drinks a day on average and no more than four standard drinks on any one day
• One or two alcohol-free days a week

(Note: These guidelines are under review.)

Q. What is binge drinking?

Binge drinking is drinking heavily over a short period, such as if a male consumes more than six standard drinks in one session or a female consumes more than four standard drinks in one session (according to current NHMRC guidelines, under review). Drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks is also considered binge drinking.

Q. What is alcohol dependence?

People who regularly drink to excess may become physically and/or psychologically dependent on alcohol. They may find alcohol becomes more important than other aspects of their lives, or their body gets so used to functioning with alcohol that they cannot do without it. It can range from mild dependency to compulsive drinking or alcoholism.

Q. What harmful effects can alcohol have on health?

Long-term alcohol consumption at harmful or hazardous levels (more than 8 on the AUDIT) can damage many parts of the body, including the liver, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, and brain; memory problems and behavioural changes are often some of the first signs of serious alcohol dependence, along with the effects of poor nutrition caused by excessive drinking.

Emotional difficulties, anxiety and depression have also been linked with heavy drinking, although it is not always clear whether alcohol misuse is the cause and/or the consequence of mental health problems.

Binge drinking can result in acute intoxication, not only putting the person's health at risk, but also potentially leading them to engage in dangerous behaviours that may harm themselves and others. Alcohol poisoning can cause liver failure, brain damage, coma or death.

Q. How does one withdraw from alcohol?

A person who is physically dependent on alcohol should seek medical advice before suddenly stopping drinking, particularly if they are a heavy drinker. As the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol, the person can experience side effects such as tremors, mental confusion, cramps or convulsions. A medically supervised detoxification service can assist in managing the symptoms experienced during withdrawal, which may take from one to two weeks.

Q. What happens in a residential rehabilitation program and how does it work?

Residential rehabilitation involves living at a facility - often for several months - to receive treatment for drug or alcohol dependence, usually after a period of detoxification. Research shows that the longer a person remains in rehabilitation, the better their chances of remaining abstinent in the long term.

At Odyssey House, residents live and work together as a small, highly structured "therapeutic community" with approximately 100 clients and a supportive team of professional counsellors and medical staff.

Odyssey House treats the misuse of alcohol and other drugs as symptomatic of underlying personal problems. These problems must be addressed to successfully overcome dependence in the long term. Clients work to change any negative attitudes and values, confront the reasons why they resorted to drug misuse, and learn strategies for dealing with the ups and downs of daily life.

The therapeutic services provided at Odyssey House include:

* extended group therapy specific to each level of the program

* one-on-one counselling

* specialist group therapy for clients with co-existing mental health conditions

* cognitive behavioural therapy

* psychological and psychiatric services

* domestic violence and sexual abuse counselling

* anger management groups

* parenting skills training

* assertiveness training

* vocational counselling.

Our results show that rehabilitation works! More than 70 per cent of graduates from the Odyssey House program remain drug-free and alcohol-free three years later, according to independent research.

Useful Links

• Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 02 9361 8000 or 1800 422 599 (for callers outside Sydney); see Yellow Pages for other states
• Alcohol Guidelines (Federal Department of Health & Ageing): http://www.alcohol.gov.au
• Australian Drug Foundation: http://www.adf.org.au
• Australian Drug Information Network: http://www.adin.com.au
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: http://www.aihw.gov.au
• Australian National Council on Drugs: http://www.ancd.org.au
• Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia: http://www.adca.org.au
• National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre: http://www.ndarc.nsw.edu.au
• National Health & Medical Research Council: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au
• Odyssey House: http://www.odysseyhouse.com.au