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eNEWSLETTER
December 2007

Our Mission Statement:
"Providing a range of innovative professional services, empowering our clients to positively address issues affecting their lives."

Welcome to the December edition of Clayfield Counselling Services e-newsletter. 

Christmas party season is here again.  Do find yourself dreading parties because you find it difficult to control your drinking? Are you looking forward to spending time with your favourite drink more than you’re looking forward to spending time with loved ones?  Are you a shy person who uses alcohol as a way to perform better in social situations?  Will you be spending Christmas alone this year because your family doesn’t want to spend time with you while you drink?

If you answered yes to any of these questions alcohol dependence may be causing problems for you.

What alcohol can do

It is important to use common sense when partaking of alcohol.  There have been many articles that suggest drinking alcohol has health benefits just as there have been similar articles expounding the benefits of chocolate.  The reality is though that too much chocolate will have adverse effects on your health and the same is true of alcohol. 

Alcohol consumption can result in your brain having reduced control over reaction time, co-ordination, thinking and speech.  High levels of alcohol consumption can cause your system to shut down and may result in unconsciousness, heart problems or stroke.

Too much alcohol in a short period of time (binge drinking) can even result in death.

For many Australians, alcohol abuse has become the norm and they think nothing of a night out ending in vomiting or unconsciousness.  It is important to remember that this kind of alcohol consumption is harmful to your body and brain and it can also be very damaging to you socially and emotionally.

How much is too much?

MEN
Recommended
daily maximum

HEALTH RISK

WOMEN
Recommended
daily maximum

0-4 Drinks*

Low Risk: a level of drinking at which there is
likely to be little risk of harm

0-2 Drinks*

4-6 Drinks*

Hazardous or Risky: levels at which risks of
harm are significantly increased

2-4 Drinks*

Over 6 Drinks

Harmful or High risk: levels at which the risks
of serious harm are substantial

> 4 drinks*

* A drink referred to here is a STANDARD DRINK (The Australian Alcohol Guidelines use the idea of a standard drink to help people keep track of how much they drink. It equates with 10grams of alcohol)

Standard drink table

Try to abstain from alcohol at least 3 days per week.

The following questionnaire is often used to identify a dependence on alcohol.

Cage Questionnaire

If you answered yes to even one of the CAGE questions you may have a dependence on alcohol.  If you answered yes to more than one question then an alcohol dependence is highly likely.

Alcohol addiction can be treated and many people with an alcohol dependence have experienced wonderful success in beating it.  Why not phone us on (07) 3862 6622 and make an appointment with one of our qualified counsellors today?

Well this brings us to the end of our final newsletter for 2007!  Hasn’t time flown?  The team at Clayfield Counselling Services would like to thank everyone who has helped make CCS a success this year.  We would also like to take this opportunity to say a sad farewell to Adrienne Irvine who has been part of our team in one form or another since CCS opened its doors in 1999.  Adrienne has just taken up an exciting new appointment and we wish her all the best.  We’ll miss you Adrienne.

We close for Christmas on 20th December 2007 and re-open on 2nd January 2008.  We wish our clients, colleagues and friends a safe and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in 2008. 

Some Interesting Links For You

 

Office hours are from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. After hours and Saturday appointments are available on request.

Until next time then...

“One drink is too many
One thousand is not enough” 
- Often quoted by members of Alcoholics Anonymous

 

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