'Dr. Pat’s Sex Clinic'
For the next few weeks, I want to discuss some questions that teenagers have asked me. Some of the questions are more relevant to teen girls and others to teen boys. But all questions raise important issues. Read them all whether you are a girl or a boy. These and many other issues of teenage are explored in the book.
So, if you have a teenage son or daughter, or maybe are a teenager yourself, then write to me with your questions and I’ll attempt to answer them in the column.
[Girls & Boys] Teachers and parents just tell us not to drink alcohol. Why?
Alcohol is sometimes called a social lubricant. In small amounts it reduces shyness and gets people talking. Wines and alcoholic cocktails often make a person more romantic and less uptight about meeting new people. This is why most adult social gatherings are conducted with a glass of wine or a cocktail.
What about teenagers?
Alcohol acts on the brain. Drinking alcohol causes the release of naturally occurring feel-good opioids known as endorphins in the brain. When you have a drink, you feel happy, excited, and ready for action. Alcohol reduces inhibition at brain level. It effectively takes the foot off the brake that is keeping you from doing really stupid and often sexual things.
At teenage, your sexual brain is just waking up and you like to do exciting and novel things, especially with your friends and peers and. Under the influence of alcohol you’re more likely to engage in high risk activities, or consent to participate in them; actions that you regret later and may be unable to take back.
Researchers tell us that drinking increases the likelihood of risky sexual behaviour. Taking alcohol is associated with multiple and casual partners, and less consistent condom use; as well as unwanted sex and even sexual assault. There is also evidence that regular alcohol use and binge drinking is associated with increased rates of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and younger age at first pregnancy.
A problem in many western countries is “drink spiking”. Here, unknown to you, someone else puts alcohol or some other sedative type drug in your soft drink or coffee. Be careful when you are at a party, especially one where there are people you don’t know well, or one which is not being supervised by parents or other responsible adults.
What’s the message here? Alcohol is a drug. It affects your brain. It makes you do things you are likely to regret when your brain regains control.
Be a cool teenager – Make a decision. Take control of your behaviour. Learn to keep away from places where you may be tempted or coerced to drink.
Take a look at your friends and what they are doing. If they are users of alcohol, talk to them about the dangers. If they won’t listen to you, reconsider your friendships with them.
It’s your life. Be empowered to say no when someone offers you a drink.
Please send any questions you have to [email protected]. I will answer these as best I can.
PATRICIA WEERAKOON IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR TURNED SEXOLOGIST AND WRITER BASED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
0 Comments
shancan says:
Oct 08, 2012 at 12:22 pmGood secular discussion.....in your forthcoming weeks add 1. accidents caused by drunken teenagers ( to self and others)
2.Long term results of addiction ( physical conditions)
3. The myth of alcohol promoting commercials
Thanks