Alcohol Myths

Eating certain types of food like plain white bread while you drink helps to soak up the alcohol so you can drink more?

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Myth - All alcohol consumed will reach the bloodstream, regardless of how much food the person eats or what else he or she drinks.

It’s not illegal to spike a mate’s drink with alcohol or other drugs?

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Myth - Yes it is. Offenders who spike people’s drinks will face up to two years in jail - even if no harm or impairment is caused - under new State Government Legislation.

Everyone gets drunk at parties?

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Many people choose to celebrate significant events with healthy food and drinks. The costs will also be significantly lower than serving alcoholic drinks. Another option is to consider serving only low-alcohol content beverages or zero alcohol alternatives.

Calling an ambulance means calling the police?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Myth - Police will rarely attend an ambulance call-out. Sometimes people are scared to call an ambulance because they think the police will show up and they will get in trouble.

Alcohol contributes to more deaths than illegal drugs.

• MYTH

• FACT

It’s cheaper to get drunk on an empty stomach. If you don’t eat you get drunk quicker.

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Fact - you will get drunk quicker on an empty stomach. The cost depends on the type of alcohol you purchase. Some people avoid eating so they can have a ‘flat stomach’ when they go out, alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach and the small intestine. Food in the stomach slows down the rate at which the alcohol is absorbed.

It’s OK for me to drink heaps tonight because I haven’t had a drink all week. I can drink my weekly quota of alcohol in one night.

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Myth - binge drinking means drinking heavily over a short period of time, drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks, or drinking to get drunk.

I can sober up quickly by taking a cold shower or drinking coffee.

• MYTH

• FACT

Alcohol is a depressant.

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Fact - Alcohol is a Central Nervous System Depressant that works by slowing down parts of the brain and results in impaired cognitive function.

On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process.

• MYTH

• FACT

Answer explanation

Alcohol leaves the body at an average rate of 0.015 g/100mL/hour, which is the same as reducing your BAC level by 0.015 per hour. For men, this is usually a rate of about one standard drink per hour. However, there are other factors that affect intoxication level (gender, some medications, illness).