Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix
Resources
The following resources can be found in this section:
· Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix (PPTs)
· Scenario: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix
· Activity: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix
· Quiz: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix
· Handouts
The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training. Please note not all activities may be used during the training.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix (PPTs)
The Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page.
The PPT file is: TAB29 – Alcohol and other drugs.ppt
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Scenario
SCENARIO: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix (training use only) /Part 1
Tom is a regular at the club, and you see him socially a few times a year in other settings. Most of the blokes you have known there for over 10 years have moderated their drinking in the face of health issues, weight management, 0.05 concerns and so on. Not Tom. Most avoid getting in a shout with him, because they know he goes hard, but he never appears to really feel the effects as much as anyone else. He is fit, appears healthy for 65, and is perhaps a little overweight at most. Tom works as a successful sales rep for a plumbing supply firm, and is married.
Tom asks you for a lift home (he normally drives). He tells you he was caught over 0.05% driving the back way to his home recently, and has lost his licence for six months. He would normally get a taxi but money is tight as he has had to go to part-time office work with his firm until his licence is restored.
Tom sees no need to alter his drinking when you ask him. He thought it was ‘bad luck’ he was caught, doesn’t often drink at work, and has no health problems other than high blood pressure. His wife would like him to cut back for health and financial reasons, and you suspect relationship issues also.
Questions to raise / Talking points
1. Does Tom have a drinking problem?
2. Should you say anything to Tom about his drinking?
3. What approaches could you take that may encourage him to think about changing his drinking?
(see possible responses on next page)
Part 2
Tom indicates he has no interest in modifying his drinking. He sees no problem, other than the ‘bad luck’ of losing his licence. He is quite rude when telling you to ‘bugger off’ after a brief discussion about alcohol at the club.
Questions to raise / Talking points
4. Should you persist with your health management approach with Tom?
5. What could you say to Tom that maintains your relationship?
6. What else can you do/say, if anything?
(see possible responses on next page)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Part 1
1. Does Tom have a drinking problem?
· Not according to him.
· Physical effects are likely to be happening, including liver damage, which will worsen his hypertension.
· He has repeatedly engaged in risky behaviour while driving home.
· He is suffering legal, financial and work consequences.
· There may be relationship issues.
· Alcohol is therefore doing him harm.
2. Should you say anything to Tom about his drinking?
· Depends on your relationship and circumstances
· You could try a low key comment, e.g. ‘You might have to take it a bit easier when you get the licence back. Big penalties second time I believe.’
· If closer relationship, ‘Mate, I’ve been a bit concerned you might get done. Have you ever thought about backing off a bit? Or talking to your GP?’
3. What approaches could you take that may encourage him to think about changing his drinking?
· As above
· Organise a low-key ‘Right Mix’ education session at the club on a night Tom will be there
· Leave The Right Mix materials around the club
· Possibly discussions around financial issues—this could arise with retirement planning discussions or information.
Part 2
4. Should you persist with your health management approach with Tom?
· No. Better to maintain the relationship, with potential for change at a later point. He is likely to be wary of your input given his reaction. You could continue with a low-key, non-targeted approach, e.g. The Right Mix club materials as above
5. What could you say to Tom that maintains your relationship?
· Your concern was that of a mate with his best interests at heart. His right to refuse such an approach. Your right to be treated respectfully.
6. What else can you do/say, if anything?
· Once relationship on track: ‘Tom, I respect your right to do things your own way. I remain concerned about the impact alcohol might have on a mate. I won’t say any more about it, but I want you to know if ever you do want a chat, I’m available, or talk to your GP/VVCS.’
· When he starts driving again (or earlier if other drivers also risking harm), consider talking to the club manager about responsible serving of alcohol and driver behaviours, e.g. courtesy bus.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Activity
ACTIVITY: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix /Standard drinks dinner party
Can be done when discussing Australian alcohol guidelines. Participants have fun as they comment on other’s generosity with alcohol, but it reinforces that we don’t tend to pour standard drinks as a cultural norm, and sometimes have a poor knowledge of what a standard drink might be.
Materials
· Standard drinks glass (order via the Right Mix website resources order form)
· Glasses: red wine (larger the better), champagne, spirits, e.g. whisky/G&T glass, beer, port etc. Five or six in all
· Jug or bottle with water (ideally coloured with some cordial or tea)
Procedure
Explain that you have had such a good time with the group that you are inviting yourself over to dinner. You won’t drive home!
Ask whose place you would visit for a pre-dinner champagne. Ask them to pour a drink in the champagne glass, knowing you aren’t driving.
Now ask someone to pour a beer. Remind all that you are not looking for standard drinks, just what they would normally pour.
Main course will be a meat dish (sorry vegetarians) so you want someone who likes big Australian reds to pour you one. No problems about driving, you might stay the night.
Continue to after dinner—dessert, a whisky or G&T (they just pour the spirit) etc.
Hold up original glasses, say you will check volumes in the standard drinks glass, and pour in so all can see. Then pour back to original, and hold up again. Report how many standard drinks each contains.
Report the difference between light and heavy beer.
With red wine, a big wine glass will often have three standard drinks. Point out that many Australian reds are 14-15% alcohol (compared to 12% standards measure). So you are getting 20-25% more alcohol than stated by standard drinks glass.
This activity can be done anywhere, even dinner parties (after a glass or two!).
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix: Resources (Tab 29)
Quiz
QUIZ: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix /Select the best answer.
1. The most commonly used drugs in Australia include:
a. Marijuana and ‘speed’
b. Caffeine and alcohol
c. ‘Ecstasy’ and amphetamines
d. Prescription medicines
2. Drugs such as valium, alcohol and cannabis are called depressants because:
a. They cause depression
b. They are used to treat depression
c. They depress the nervous system
d. They make you feel ‘down’ when you take too much
3. The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend:
a. No more than two standard drinks on any day for men or women
b. No more than four standard drinks on any day for men or two standard drinks on any day for women
c. No more than two standard drinks on any day for men or one standard drink on any day for women
d. No more than two standard drinks on a single occasion is the safest option to avoid the risk of endangering the lives of the drinker and/or others
4. The fastest way to sober up is:
a. Using a stimulant, such as Red Bull or strong coffee to increase your metabolism
b. Drink as much water as you can, as soon as possible after drinking
c. Exercise to increase your metabolism (although this is not recommended by doctors due to the risks of exercising while intoxicated)
d. Do nothing, as there is no way to speed up the metabolism of alcohol
5. Recommended approaches that may limit your alcohol intake include all of the following, except:
a. Don’t mix your drinks—stick with the one type of alcoholic beverage
b. Do other things while you drink, e.g. play pool
c. Drink water regularly
d. Eat before and during drinking
6. Which statement is correct?
a. Most smokers lose weight when they quit
b. About half of all smokers gain weight when they quit, while the other half lose weight
c. Most smokers gain weight when they quit, but the health benefits of not smoking outweigh the health risks of the extra weight
d. Weight gain after quitting smoking is a myth
7. Recent cannabis use has risen most significantly in which group?
a. Men in their 50s
b. Men in their 30s
c. Men in their 20s
d. Young men in their teens
8. Cannabis use is a health issue because smoking cannabis:
a. Causes schizophrenia
b. Causes more mental illness in Australia than alcohol
c. Increases the risk of cancer
d. Leads to excessive weight loss
9. The best way to help a mate who has an alcohol or other drug problem is to:
a. Confront him with the full extent of his problem, as most men are in denial about the issue
b. Explain to him that substance use disorders are usually due to a genetic predisposition or character flaw, rather than embarrassing him by focusing on his behaviour
c. Help him find and practise effective ways to say no, or at least limit his drug use
d. Offer to become his confidante, so he doesn’t have to tell family members who may reject him
10. If your mate with an alcohol or other drug problem does not want help the best thing to do is:
a. Tell a professional, as they will know what to do
b. Make excuses for his behaviour, so that you stay onside until he seeks your help
c. Respect his choice to make his own decisions, but stay in touch
d. Force the issue by threatening to tell his family
QUIZ: Alcohol and other drugs: The Right Mix (ANSWERS) /
Select the best answer.
1. The most commonly used drugs in Australia include:
a. Marijuana and ‘speed’
b. Caffeine and alcohol
c. ‘Ecstasy’ and amphetamines
d. Prescription medicines
2. Drugs such as valium, alcohol and cannabis are called depressants because:
a. They cause depression
b. They are used to treat depression
c. They depress the nervous system
d. They make you feel ‘down’ when you take too much
3. The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend:
a. No more than two standard drinks on any day for men or women
b. No more than four standard drinks on any day for men or two standard drinks on any day for women
c. No more than two standard drinks on any day for men or one standard drink on any day for women
d. No more than two standard drinks on a single occasion is the safest option to avoid the risk of endangering the lives of the drinker and/or others
4. The fastest way to sober up is:
a. Using a stimulant, such as Red Bull or strong coffee to increase your metabolism
b. Drink as much water as you can, as soon as possible after drinking
c. Exercise to increase your metabolism (although this is not recommended by doctors due to the risks of exercising while intoxicated)
d. Do nothing, as there is no way to speed up the metabolism of alcohol
5. Recommended approaches that may limit your alcohol intake include all of the following, except:
a. Don’t mix your drinks—stick with the one type of alcoholic beverage
b. Do other things while you drink, e.g. play pool
c. Drink water regularly
d. Eat before and during drinking
6. Which statement is correct?
a. Most smokers lose weight when they quit
b. About half of all smokers gain weight when they quit, while the other half lose weight
c. Most smokers gain weight when they quit, but the health benefits of not smoking outweigh the health risks of the extra weight
d. Weight gain after quitting smoking is a myth
7. Recent cannabis use has risen most significantly in which group?
a. Men in their 50s
b. Men in their 30s
c. Men in their 20s
d. Young men in their teens
8. Cannabis use is a health issue because smoking cannabis:
a. Causes schizophrenia
b. Causes more mental illness in Australia than alcohol
c. Increases the risk of cancer
d. Leads to excessive weight loss
9. The best way to help a mate who has an alcohol or other drug problem is to:
a. Confront him with the full extent of his problem, as most men are in denial about the issue
b. Explain to him that substance use disorders are usually due to a genetic predisposition or character flaw, rather than embarrassing him by focusing on his behaviour
c. Help him find and practise effective ways to say no, or at least limit his drug use
d. Offer to become his confidante, so he doesn’t have to tell family members who may reject him
10. If your mate with an alcohol or other drug problem does not want help the best thing to do is:
a. Tell a professional, as they will know what to do
b. Make excuses for his behaviour, so that you stay onside until he seeks your help
c. Respect his choice to make his own decisions, but stay in touch
d. Force the issue by threatening to tell his family
Handout
The following handout can be found in this section: