Festive Season drinkers who feel they are losing control of their alcohol consumption can join an innovative drug-free program run by researchers at 疯马秀视频.
Professor David Kavanagh of UQ鈥檚 is piloting a program that is free for participants and particularly useful for people who find that their drinking is damaging other areas of their lives.
The program involves 鈥渙wning and managing鈥� your alcohol craving, rather than fighting it, Professor Kavanagh said.
鈥淔or most of us there is nothing wrong with small or moderate amounts of alcohol,鈥� he said.
鈥淗owever, at least once a year 35 percent of Australians drink in a way that puts them at short-term risk of physical harm.
鈥淎larmingly, 40 percent of teenagers aged 14-19 and 61 percent of 20-29 year-olds risk their health in this way.
鈥淔or many, Christmas-New Year is a really perilous time because it is easy to lose track of alcohol consumption when you are out partying.鈥�
Professor Kavanagh said the program, at the Royal Brisbane and Women鈥檚 Hospital at Herston, is designed for people who want to stop drinking altogether, as well as those who want to cut back.
鈥淚t is never easy to kick a habit like drinking, especially when we are surrounded by alcohol and images that promote drinking.
鈥淢ore than half of problem drinkers who try to control their habit fall back into problem drinking in the first three months. There are now some drugs that help with craving for alcohol, and make it easier to stay in control.
鈥淎t UQ, we are tackling craving for alcohol with a new approach that does not use drugs.
鈥淭he treatment is based on laboratory research about the nature of craving, and how it can be controlled.
鈥淲e teach people how to use methods such as easy meditation and relaxation techniques to deal with craving and stay in control of their drinking.
鈥淧eople interested in this program should call 1300 300 164 to leave a message or talk to one of our staff.鈥�
Professor Kavanagh said many people are unaware of what constitutes a risky level of drinking.
鈥淲omen who have an average of more than two standard drinks a day, and men having more than four a day risk long-term health problems 鈥� especially if they do not have at least two 鈥渄ry鈥� days each week.
鈥淗aving a little more than this occasionally may not be a problem for most people, provided they are not driving or doing other potentially dangerous things like swimming.
鈥淗owever, more than 4 drinks on any day for women, and more than 6 for men puts people at risk.
鈥淥ne in 10 Australians is dicing with ill health by regularly exceeding these limits.
鈥淥ther things to look for are problems that drinking has caused鈥攑roblems at work, or at home. For example: losing your driver鈥檚 license; being robbed or assaulted; or getting into financial strife.
鈥淚t is important to do something about problem drinking before it causes something you can鈥檛 easily fix鈥攍ike losing your job, your friends, or your marriage.鈥�
Media contact: Professor David Kavanagh: 0419 479 227; Fiona Kennedy (疯马秀视频Marketing & Communications) 3365 1088 / 0413 380 012.
