Test Yourself

 

Before you leave the site, why not try the quiz to see how much do you really know about alcohol and drinking? See how many of the following questions you can answer correctly.

Question 1: Why does alcohol affect men and women differently?

 

a)    The liver breaks down alcohol more quickly in men than women

b)    Women's bodies are generally smaller and have less body water, so alcohol concentrations rise more quickly

c)     Men's stomachs are bigger so alcohol is absorbed more slowly

 

b) YES! Right

 

Sorry ladies, but you can’t drink as much as men.  That’s not a male conspiracy theory but a biological fact!  Women have less body water than men so the concentration of alcohol in their blood stream is proportionally higher. So, if a woman weighing 60 kilograms drinks a double gin then a man of the same size will need to drink a triple gin in order to reach the same blood alcohol level.

 

There is also some evidence that women metabolise alcohol slightly differently. There are small amounts of the enzyme ADH which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the liver and in the lining of the stomach; and it is believed that ADH levels are lower in women and that this might contribute to their higher blood alcohol levels as alcohol is broken down more slowly.

 

a) & c) Sorry Wrong! Women’s bodies are generally smaller and have less body water, so alcohol concentrations rise more quickly

 

Sorry ladies, but you can’t drink as much as men.  That’s not a male conspiracy theory but a biological fact!  Women have less body water than men so the concentration of alcohol in their blood stream is proportionally higher. So, if a woman weighing 60 kilograms drinks a double gin then a man of the same size will need to drink a triple gin in order to reach the same blood alcohol level.

 

There is also some evidence that women metabolise alcohol slightly differently. There are small amounts of the enzyme ADH which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the liver and in the lining of the stomach; and it is believed that ADH levels are lower in women and that this might contribute to their higher blood alcohol levels as alcohol is broken down more slowly

Question 2: Pregnant women are advised not to drink: why?

 

Pregnant women need to be extra careful about drinking alcohol. Why?

 

a)    Unborn babies get drunk very quickly

b)    Alcohol can harm an unborn baby in various ways

c)     Alcohol and the amniotic fluid don't mix

 

b) YES! Right 

 

Alcohol can harm the unborn baby as it passes through the placenta to the fetus. . Because no safe level of drinking has been established for pregnant women then the best advice is not to drink at all.

 

If you drink heavily during pregnancy, then the risk of various birth defects increase significantly, these abnormalities are called FASD or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

 

a) & c) Sorry – Wrong! Alcohol can harm the unborn baby in various ways.

 

Alcohol can harm the unborn baby as it passes through the placenta to the fetus. . Because no safe level of drinking has been established for pregnant women then the best advice is not to drink at all.

 

If you drink heavily during pregnancy, then the risk of various birth defects increase significantly, these abnormalities are called FASD or foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

 

 

Question 3: Those who persistently drink too much can become addicted to alcohol. Kicking the habit is exceptionally difficult. Why?

 

a)    Because alcoholics are chronically thirsty

b)    Because alcoholics drink out of habit

c)     Because alcoholics feel wretched without alcohol

 

c) YES! Right 

 

There is alcohol tolerance and alcohol addiction. Toleration arises when you gradually need more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Addiction means that you can no longer do without alcohol. You feel have to drink. Without alcohol you feel sick and have withdrawal symptoms. You start trembling, shivering, feel nauseous or even have to vomit. Partly on account of these withdrawal symptoms it is extremely difficult to overcome addiction.

 

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, your doctor will help you make the first steps and put you in touch with associations to help you fight the illness.

a) & b) Sorry, wrong! Alcoholics feel wretched without alcohol

 

There is alcohol tolerance and alcohol addiction. Tolerance arises when you gradually need more and more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Addiction means that you can no longer do without alcohol. You feel have to drink. Without alcohol you feel sick and have withdrawal symptoms. You start trembling, shivering, feel nauseous or even have to vomit. Partly on account of these withdrawal symptoms it is extremely difficult to overcome addiction.

 

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, your doctor will help you make the first steps and put you in touch with associations to help you fight the illness.

 

Question 4: When should adults avoid drinking any alcohol?

 

a)    If they're operating machinery or working at a height

b)    If they're over 40

c)     If they're going to be a passenger in a car

 

a) YES! Right

 

In most circumstances drinking in moderation is a pleasant and relaxing thing to do and leads to no harm. There are certain occasions when you shouldn’t drink, however, and these include if you work with machinery or at heights, as even small amounts of alcohol affect your coordination, reactions and judgement.

 

Other times you should avoid alcohol include: when planning to drive, use electrical equipment,  competing at sport, while on certain medications – (ask your Doctor if you are unsure) or rhen pregnant.

 

b) & c) SORRY wrong! You shouldn’t drink if operating machinery or working at heights.

 

In most circumstances drinking in moderation is a pleasant and relaxing thing to do and leads to no harm. There are certain occasions when you shouldn’t drink, however, and these include if you work with machinery or at heights, as even small amounts of alcohol affect your coordination, reactions and judgement.

 

Other times you should avoid alcohol include: when planning to drive, use electrical equipment, competing at sport, while on certain medications – (ask your Doctor if you are unsure) or  when pregnant.

 

 

Question 5: In a bar there's a standard glass of beer and a standard shot of whisky. Which glass contains the most alcohol?

 

a)    The glass of beer

b)    A shot of whisky

c)     Both contain the same amount of alcohol

 

c) YES! Right 

 

Each standard glass of beer, wine and spirits contains approximately the same amount of alcohol. The alcohol by volume (ABV) of each type of drink does vary though -  a beer can range from 3.5 to 8% ABV, wine varies from 10 – 14.5%  and spirits are mainly 40%, (usually diluted with a mixer ) – check the label to keep track of your unit intake. At home drinks poured are often larger than standard drinks.

 

a) & b) Sorry – wrong! Both contain the same amount of alcohol

 

Each standard glass of beer, wine and spirits contains approximately the same amount of alcohol. The alcohol by volume (ABV) of each type of drink does vary though -  a beer can range from 3.5 to 8% ABV, wine varies from 10 – 14.5% and spirits are mainly 40%, (usually diluted with a mixer ) – check the label to keep track of your unit intake. At home drinks poured are often larger than standard drinks.

 

 

Question 6: Why don’t alcohol and driving mix?

 

a)    Because alcohol has a negative effect on your co-ordination, perception and judgment

b)    Because you run the risk of a stiff fine or losing your licence

c)     Because you run the risk of smashing up your car or injuring someone

 

a) YES! Right 

 

The alcohol you drink passes through the stomach and into the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood-stream. From there it affects your nervous system. Alcohol affects the transmission of signals in the brain and so affects and slows down sensory perception, judgement and co-ordination.

This explains why drinking alcohol affects what you see, how you think and feel and how you move and react.

How much effect alcohol has on the body depends on the concentration – or blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This is why governments set legal BAC levels, where they deem your driving will be affected .

 

When you’re going out, even to friends or for supper, always discuss and plan how you’re getting home before you leave –  or decide who will be the non drinking driver.

Of course, drinking and driving also increases the risk of fines, prison, injury to yourself and others, damage to your car and the loss of job and insurance.

 

b) & c) SORRY! Wrong, although answers b and c are possible consequences of drinking and driving  the right answer is: Because alcohol has a negative effect on your co-ordination, perception and judgment .

 

The alcohol you drink passes through the stomach and into the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood-stream. From there it affects your nervous system. Alcohol affects the transmission of signals in the brain and so affects and slows down sensory perception, judgement. and co-ordination.

This explains why drinking alcohol affects what you see, how you think and feel and how you move and react.

 

How much effect alcohol has on the body depends on the concentration – or blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This is why governments set legal BAC levels, where they deem your driving will be affected .

 

When you’re going out, even to friends or for supper, always discuss and plan how you’re getting home before you leave – or decide who will be the non drinking driver.

 

Of course, drinking and driving also increases the risk of fines, prison, injury to yourself and others, damage to your car and the loss of job and insurance.

 

Question 7: What is the advised maximum intake of alcohol per day for healthy adult men and women? (glass contains 8 grams alcohol)

a)    The same for men and women, three units

b)    Men three units, women two units

c)     As much as needed to quench your thirst.

 

 

b) YES! Right 

 

Healthy adult males should drink no more than three units a day and healthy adult women should drink no more than two units a day and the World Health Organisations recommends one or two alcohol free days a week.

 

Men are able to drink more alcohol than women, as they have a higher volume of body fluids, less body fat and a greater ability to break down alcohol. This means that the same level of alcohol in the blood is not reached until a higher consumption of alcohol. 

a) & c) SORRY! Wrong, the right answer is: Men three units, women two units 

 

Healthy adult males should drink no more than three units a day and healthy adult women should drink no more than two units a day and the World Health Organisations recommends one or two alcohol free days a week.

 

Men are able to drink more alcohol than women, as they have a higher volume of body fluids, less body fat and a greater ability to break down alcohol. This means that the same level of alcohol in the blood is not reached until a higher consumption of alcohol. 

 

Question 8: The majority of the alcohol you drink is broken down by the liver. How long does the liver take to break down the alcohol in a "unit" drink (8 grams alcohol) of an alcohol beverage?

 

a)    Half an hour

b)    Approximately one hour

c)     Roughly the same amount of time as you spend drinking

 

b.YES! Right 

 

The liver breaks down the majority of alcohol consumed (95%), eventually into carbon dioxide and water. Your liver needs  an hour to one and a half hours to neutralise a standard glass of an alcoholic drink, and there’s nothing you can do to speed this up. This explains why someone who has drunk a lot the night before can still be under the influence, or ‘over the limit’ the following morning. The last 5% is excreted via urine, breath and perspiration. 

 

a) & c) SORRY! wrong, the right answer is approximately one hour

 

The liver breaks down the majority of alcohol consumed 95%, eventually into carbon dioxide and water. Your liver needs roughly one and a half hours to neutralise a standard glass of an alcoholic drink, and there’s nothing you can do to speed this up. This explains why someone who has drunk a lot the night before can still be under the influence, or ‘over the limit’ the following morning. The last 5% is excreted via urine, breath and perspiration. 

 

Question 9: What's the best way to reduce the effect of a hangover?

 

a)    Drink some water - it helps to rehydrate the body, but there is no cure

b)    Have a cold shower - it gets the blood moving around the body

c)     Have a strong coffee - it makes the heart pump faster to get rid of the alcohol

a) Yes right!

 

There is nothing you can do to speed up the break down of alcohol in your body, or sober yourself up quickly. Don’t ever be tempted to think a coffee or cold shower will make you fit to drive. Alcohol is a diuretic – or makes you dehydrated, so drinking plenty of water before bed and during the evening helps your body. Water, sleep and time are the best remedy.

 

b) & c) Sorry – wrong! Drink some water – it helps rehydrate the body, but there is no cure.

 

There is nothing you can do to speed up the break down of alcohol in your body, or sober yourself up quickly. Don’t ever be tempted to think a coffee or cold shower will make you fit to drive.

Alcohol is a diuretic – or makes you dehydrated, so drinking plenty of water before bed and during the evening helps your body. Water, sleep and time are the best remedy.

 

Question 10: The effect of alcohol differs from person to person. What does this depend on?

 

a)    Genetic make-up and health

b)    How strong your stomach is

c)     Whether you are very thirsty

 

a) YES! Right 

 

The precise affect of alcohol varies from person to person. The amount you drink is of course an important factor, but not the only one. The difference in effect also depends on:

}      Your genetic make-up and general health.

}      use of legal or illegal drugs.

}      Your gender, age, size and weight.

}      Whether you have eaten and how quickly you have drunk your drinks

}      Whether you are tired or depressed.

 

b) & c) SORRY! wrong, the right answer is Genetic make-up and health 

 

The precise affect of alcohol varies from person to person. The amount you drink is of course an important factor, but not the only one. The difference in effect also depends on:

}      Your genetic make-up and general health.

}      use of legal or illegal drugs.

}      Your gender, age, size and weight.

}      Whether you have eaten and how quickly you have drunk your drinks

}      Whether you are tired or depressed. 

Question 11: What is the most common risk associated with alcohol consumption by young people?

 

a)    Getting liver disease, like cirrhosis or cancer

b)    Losing weight

c)     Coming out in spots and developing a rash

d)    Going into a coma

e)    Having an accident

 

e) Correct! By far the most common risk you take when you drink alcohol is having an accident.

 

It’s true that people who drink regularly over a long period of time may get liver disease (there are 25 year-olds dying from cirrhosis), and occasionally some people who really overdo it end up in a coma.

 

Alcohol affects your co-ordination, balance and judgement and many young people every year end up with facial injuries or broken bones – or occasionally even serious disabilities.

 

 

a) b) c) d). Wrong! By far the most common risk you take when you drink alcohol is having an accident.

 

It’s true that people who drink regularly over a long period of time may get liver disease (there are 25 year-olds dying from cirrhosis), and some people who really overdo it end up in a coma.

 

Alcohol affects your co-ordination, balance and judgement and many young people every year end up with facial injuries or broken bones – or occasionally even serious disabilities.

 

Question 12: What is the safe limit for alcohol consumption for under 18s?

 

a)    One drink

b)    Two drinks

c)     Four drinks

d)    There is no safe limit

 

d). Correct! There is no safe limit for alcohol consumption when you’re under 18.

 

Young people are less well equipped to cope with the effects of alcohol, physically and emotionally. Young peoples’ bodies are not developed fully and are therefore more affected by alcohol than an adult’s would be. However, gradual introduction to moderate drinking would be preferable at home under parental or adult supervision to prevent harm.

 

a) b) c) e). Wrong! There is no safe limit for alcohol consumption when you’re under 18.

Young people are less well equipped to cope with the effects of alcohol, physically and emotionally. Young peoples’ bodies are not developed fully and are therefore more affected by alcohol than an adult’s would be. However, gradual introduction to moderate drinking would be preferable at home under parental or adult supervision to prevent harm.

 

Question 13: What is affected when you drink alcohol?

 

a)    Your body

b)    Your judgement

c)     Your behaviour

d)    Your personality

e)    Your perception

 

a) b) c) d) e). Whichever answer you chose, you were correct! 

 

Drinking alcohol affects your body, your judgement, your behaviour, your personality and your perception, initially usually in a pleasant way, but this changes after a drink or two.  Legal BAC levels exist for driving as your reaction times slow even after one drink, which is why you are advise not to drink while operating machinery or at heights for example 

 

Too much alcohol can make you act out of character – for example saying things you shouldn’t, acting in an embarrassing way, getting into arguments, or having unsafe sex or sex you’ll later regret.

 

How did you do?

 

Score 0 –5

Oh dear, you need to brush up on your alcohol knowledge and be a bit more aware. But don't despair, the site is here to help you and has lots of useful information. Have a look at the Alcohol and You section to get you started and if you have adolescents at home, don’t forget to also read the parents section.

 

Score 5 –8

You're pretty aware about alcohol and drinking, but you're a bit rusty on some of the facts. You may want to brush up on your knowledge and the website has lots of useful information to help you. Have a look at the Alcohol and You section or read our top tips area. Don’t forget that if you have adolescents at home to also visit the “being parents” section.

 

Score 8 –13

Great score - you're very alcohol aware! , although it's always useful to remind yourself of the facts. This website has lots of useful information to help you enjoy drinking responsibly and safely. If you have a family, in particular if you have adolescents at home we have some great tips in the parents section.