No Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug and you can become addicted to it. Drinking alcohol is dangerous for kids and teens and sometimes for adults, too. Alcohol changes the way your mind and your body work. Even one beer can slow your reactions and confuse your thinking. This means anything that requires concentration and coordination - like driving - is dangerous when you've had a drink.
Alcohol also changes the way you act. It can make you let go of the feelings that keep you from doing things you know are risky or dangerous. This can lead you to make bad decisions--like having unsafe sex or driving when you know you shouldn't. When people drink too much, they might do or say things they don't mean. They might hurt themselves or other people. Someone who drinks too much also might throw up and could wake up the next day feeling awful — that's called a hangover. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill a person. Over time, someone who abuses alcohol can do serious damage to his or her body. The liver, which removes poisons from the blood, is especially at risk. Because alcohol can cause such problems, the citizens and government leaders in this country have decided that kids shouldn't be allowed to buy or use alcohol. By setting the drinking age at 21, they hope older people will be able to make good decisions about alcohol. The more you drink, the more damage is done. As the level of alcohol in your blood rises, the chemicals in your body can cause vomiting or seizures, or you may pass out. Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the most well-known effects of alcohol abuse. Cirrhosis stops the liver from being able to clean the toxins (poisons) out of your body. Alcohol can also cause stomach ulcers that lead to internal bleeding. You might think that it won't happen to you, but everyone knows someone who has said that and then ended up hurt.

Other things alcohol can do to your body:

· Make you gain weight

· Make you feel sick or dizzy

· Give you bad breath

· Make you clumsy

· Slur your speech

· Make your skin break out

· Make you feel out of control

Many kids have their first drink at an early age, as young as 10 or 11 or even younger. It's easy for kids to get the wrong message about alcohol. Television and radio make it seem easy to avoid alcohol, but this may not be the case for you. You may be facing pressure from your friends who drink, you may be stressed out, or you may think that drinking will make you popular. They might see their parents drink, or watch TV commercials that make drinking look like a lot of fun. You might see people drinking and watching sports together or having a big party. But alcohol is actually a depressant. That means it's a drug that slows down or depresses the brain. Whatever your reasons, remember that alcohol can harm your body. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation and need help saying no, get the support you need. Talk to your family doctor or another adult you trust. Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, school and social activities, or affects how you think and feel.
The first step is to admit that you have a problem and you want to stop. Talk to your doctor, or a parent, school counselor or spiritual leader. You should keep in mind about 1 in 3 men, and about 1 in 7 women, drink more than the safe levels. Many people who drink heavily are not 'addicted' to alcohol, and are not 'alcoholics'. To stop or reduce alcohol would not be a problem if there was the will to do so. However, for various reasons, many people have got into a habit of drinking regularly and heavily. But, drinking heavily is a serious health risk. If you are 'alcohol dependent' you have a strong desire for alcohol and have great difficulty in controlling your drinking. In addition, your body is used to lots of alcohol. Therefore, you may develop withdrawal symptoms 3-8 hours after your last drink as the effect of the alcohol wears off. So, even if you want to stop drinking, it is often difficult because of withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms include: feeling sick, trembling, sweating, craving for alcohol, and feeling unwell. As a result, you may drink regularly to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Heavy alcohol drinking in one person often seriously damages others. Many families have become severely affected by one member becoming a problem drinker. Emotional and financial problems often occur in such families. It is estimated that 3 in 10 divorces, 4 in 10 cases of domestic violence, and 2 in 10 cases of child abuse are alcohol related. Often the problem drinker denies or refuses to accept that the root cause is alcohol.

Some Common Myths about Drinking Alcohol

Myth - "Coffee will sober me up ".
Caffeine in coffee is a stimulant so you might feel more alert, but it won't make you sober.

Myth - "I'll be fine in the morning"
Alcohol is broken down by the liver. A healthy liver can get rid of about one unit of alcohol an hour. Sleep will not speed up the rate at which the liver works. Just because you have a night's sleep does not necessarily mean you will be sober in the morning. It depends on how much you drank the night before.

Myth - "Alcohol keeps me alert"
Alcohol can make you think that you are more alert, but it actually has a depressant effect which slows down your reflexes.

Myth - "Beer will make me less drunk than spirits"
Half a pint of beer contains the same amount of alcohol as a single measure of spirits.

Myth - "I'll be fine if I drink plenty of water before I go to bed"
This can reduce hangover symptoms by helping to prevent dehydration. But it wont make you any less drunk, or protect your liver or other organs from the damaging effect of alcohol.

Myth - "The recommended safe limits are too low"
They are based on good research which has identified the level above which problems start to arise. For example, if a man drinks five units each day (not greatly over the recommended limit) then, on average, he doubles his risk of developing liver disease, raised blood pressure, some cancers, and of having a violent death.

Myth - "Most people drink more than the recommended limits"
Studies show that about 1 in 3 men, and about 1 in 7 women drink more than the weekly recommended levels. So, if you drink heavily, it might be what your friends do, but it is not what most people do, and you are putting yourself and others at risk.
Myth - "It's none of my business if a friend is drinking too much"
This is a matter of opinion. Some people would say that if you are a real friend, it really is your business. You may be the one person who can persuade your friend to accept that they have a problem, and to seek help if necessary.

Comprehension:

1. Paraphrase:

- It’s very dangerous to drink a lot of alcohol because there’s a chance to get used to it and that is a serious problem.

- If you drink a lot of alcohol you may lose control.

- As the level of alcohol in your blood rises, the chemicals in your body can make you feel sick.

- Drinking a lot is a serious problem.

- If you can’t resist alcohol you have a strong desire for alcohol and have great difficulty in controlling your drinking.

2. What are the consequences of abusing alcohol?

ü You become addicted to it

ü Dangerous for health

ü ….

3. What myths about alcohol do you know? Discuss them with your group mates.

Text 9

AIDS

Comment on the following dialogue:

- Do you know the best remedy for drugs?

- No.

- Yes, you are right, the best remedy for drugs is to say “NO!”

AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The virus can affect the body’s normal defence against illness. Some people with HIV remain healthy for years without developing AIDS. People are recognized as having developed AIDS when the breakdown of the body’s defences leads to serious infections and certain cancers. Between bouts of illness, even people with AIDS may be fit enough to work. It’s a well-known fact, AIDS is a major health hazard that will not go away in the foreseeable future. Already by the end of September 1989 over 11,000 people in the United Kingdom were known to have been infected with the virus which causes AIDS and the true figure is certain to be higher.

The virus is spread from an infected person where there is an exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood. The main means of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, the sharing of needles and drug. But it should be mentioned that AIDS can’t be spread by shaking hands or by sharing cutlery, cups, plates, or toilet facilities. HIV is not spread through the air – there is no risk from coughing, sneezing sharing telephones. Speaking about any risk of HIV infection from violence, the only risk is if blood from an infected person enters the bloodstream of another. While this risk is extremely remote, if there is any possibility that this has happened, you should take normal first aid precautions immediately and seek medical advice.

Actually, HIV infection alone does not affect people’s ability to do their job until they develop illnesses that make them unfit. There is no reason why someone who has HIV cannot continue to work normally as long as they are fit to do so. Their employer should make it easy for them to obtain counselling and medical help. There is generally no obligation on employees to disclose that they have the virus or to submit to medical tests for it. If an employee is known to have the virus, that information is strictly confidential. Otherwise an employer could be subject to legal action for breach of confidence. Dismissing those who are (or thought to be) infected simply because of pressure from other people may result in claims of unfair dismissal. Giving in to pressure of this kind will only reinforce prejudice and fear and create further problems in the future.

Everybody should bear in mind that in many countries AIDS is quite prevalent. The main risks to travellers are from:

- casual relationship

- injections from infected needles and syringes (where the instruments are not adequately sterilized)

- blood transfusions where screening procedures for the presence of HIV are inadequate.

In the case of travel to remote rural areas abroad where safe medical facilities may not be available, it may be necessary to provide emergency medical packs. Some countries insist on an HIV antibody test for workers entering from abroad.

All companies, large or small, schools, colleges, universities and different organizations, should provide information on AIDS and should consider implementing an education programme. It is helpful to produce leaflets rather than internal memos, and regular updates that people can take away and discuss with their families. They say, face-to-face discussion is important in handling a subject that can arose fear and prejudice

AIDS is a life-threatening illness and as yet there is no cure. The epidemic is still spreading. It is bound to raise deep concerns and fears which can affect people’s attitude over possible risks. AIDS has sometimes been dealt with in a misleading way in the press. So there is a continuing need for easily obtainable accurate information and sound advice.

How Can I prevent AIDS?

It doesn’t matter who you are. What matters is how you act. There aren’t any AIDS risk groups – only AIDS risk behaviors. The most common way people get HIV is by having sex with an infected person. You can’t tell by looking at a person whether they have HIV. This means you have to protect yourself - and your sex partner. How can you do this?

- Don’t have sex outside marriage or a committed relationship. If you or your partner have ever had unprotected sex – or if either of you uses injection drugs – you can’t be sure you don’t have HIV. The only way to be sure is to get tested. This means two HIV tests six months apart, with no new sex partners or injection drug use in between.

- You can’t get HIV if your penis, mouth, vagina, or anus doesn’t touch another person’s penis, mouth, vagina, or anus. Kissing, erotic massage, and mutual masturbation are safe sex activities.

- You can greatly reduce your risk by using a latex or polyurethane condom during sex. Don’t use natural –skin condoms – they prevent pregnancy but don’t prevent infections. Use a lubricant – but never use an oil-based lubricant with a latex condom. The female condom (also called a vaginal pouch) also protects against disease.

- Oral sex without a condom or latex dam is not safe, but it’s far safer than unprotected intercourse.

Using drugs increases your HIV risk. Stop using drugs if you want to avoid the AIDS virus. If you're not ready to stop taking drugs, you can still reduce your risk of getting HIV. Here’s how:

• Don’t have sex when you're high. It's easy to forget about safe sex when you're on drugs.

• If you must use drugs, don't inject them.

• If you must inject drugs, don't share the equipment. This includes the whole works: needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, and rinse water. Some states have needle-exchange programs where you can trade dirty equipment for new equipment.

Mothers with HIV can give the virus to their infants during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, get an HTV test. Anti-HIV drugs taken during pregnancy and delivery can greatly reduce the risk of passing the AIDS virus to your baby. If you have HIV, you should feed your infant formula or breast milk from an uninfected woman.

You can get HIV from the blood of an infected person. If you are helping a bleeding person, be careful to avoid getting blood into cuts or open sores on your skin or in your eyes or mouth.

If you think you have been exposed to HIV, see your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend taking anti-AIDS drugs to keep the virus from taking hold. This is NOT a "morning-after pill" – it’s several weeks of drugs with serious side effects - but it can keep you from getting HIV infection.

1. False or True:

1. AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

2. People with HIV can’t remain healthy for years without developing AIDS.

3. People are recognized as having HIV when the breakdown of the body’s defences leads to serious infections and certain cancers.

4. By the end of September 1989 over 11,000 people in the United Kingdom were known to have been infected with the virus.

5. The main means of transmission are shaking hands or by sharing cutlery.

6. Speaking about any risk of HIV infection from violence, the only risk is if HIV from an infected person enters the bloodstream of another.

7. HIV infection alone does not affect people’s ability to do their job until they develop illnesses that make them unfit.

8. The main risks to travelers are from casual relationship and everyday contact.

9. Face-to-face discussion is important in handling a subject that can arose fear and prejudice.

10. Actually, there is no continuing need for easily obtainable accurate information and sound advice.

11. Kissing, erotic massage, and mutual masturbation are safe sex activities.

12. You can get HIV from the blood of an infected person.

2. Answer the following questions:

2. What is AIDS?

3. How is HIV spread?

4. What are the main means of transmission?

5. Can AIDS be spread by casual everyday contact?

6. Is everyone who has HIV forbidden to keep on working normally as long as they are fit to do so?

7. Is there any risk of HIV infection from violence?

8. What are the main risks to travellers?

9. Is it important to provide different organizations with information on AIDS?

10.It is helpful to produce leaflets, isn’t it?

11.Is the epidemic still spreading?

12.How can a person prevent AIDS?

13.Using drugs increases your HIV risk, doesn’t it?

3. Make up your own dialogues:

1. You are two close friends who work together. You’ve just learned that one of your colleagues has got AIDS. You are gossiping about it and decide how to help and support her.

2. You are a mother and a fifteen -year old daughter, who has just been told some information about AIDS. The girl is eager to know more and asks her mother a lot of different questions and compares it with the information she got in school. The girl’s mother is a good doctor.

3. You are two scientists who have just invented a cure for AIDS. Now you are discussing the problem itself and your brilliant invention and the way it works.

4. One of you is fond of travelling and can’t imagine your life without it. This time you have made up your mind to go to some exotic country. The other person is a travel agent who tries to warn you about the danger of catching AIDS.

5. You are the managers of one very large company. You have to organize some kind of a discussion for your employees. Now you are talking about it. You should decide what you are going to tell them about. Don’t forget to offer them some medical tests or medical care just in case.