Alcohol and drug awareness

All of our players are made aware of the dangers in relation to smoking, alcohol and drugs. Part of their development involves educating them in the effects of all the above.

Click on the following links to jump to each item;

Smoking     Alcohol     Drugs

Smoking

Smoking is effectively inhaling burning tobacco in order to allow the stimulant drug Nicotine into your bloodstream. Nicotine is addictive, and much more so than Pringles. Smoking is the biggest killer in Britain, eradicating 120,000 people per year from our population. It is illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of sixteen, and the effects of smoking on a young sportsman/woman doubtless show in their fitness and development. 

Effects

The effects of smoking a cigarette begin quickly and last for approximately 30 minutes. Users say it helps them to relax and concentrate. Smoking also suppresses the appetite temporarily. Anyone who saw Nadia on Big Brother a few years ago will know that withdrawal of cigarettes causes irritability, restlessness and depression.

Risks

• Coughing fits and breathing problems
• Lung cancer
• Heart disease
• Circulatory problems
• Bronchitis
• Smoking during pregnancy can harm the unborn child
• Passive smoking (inhaling other people's smoke) can cause all the above for non-smokers
• Death

Want to stop smoking? Contact your local Health Service, and they'll give you advice on ways to go about it.

Alcohol

Many people are unaware that not only is alcohol a drug, but a highly addictive one at that. It's accepted in society, it's legal, and as a result the risks involved with it are underestimated. It's related to going out, having a laugh, celebrating and good times. Remember, it is illegal for anyone to sell alcohol to people under the age of 18. 

Effects

In general, alcohol has a far quicker affect on females than males. Female bodies are made up of less water and as a result alcohol in the bloodstream is less diluted. Dehydration can occur far quicker. However, this doesn't mean that if you're a man you can sink the drink and not be affected - far from it. There are many independent factors which change the affect of alcohol on your body:

 

• How strong the drink is / how much you've had to drink
• Your body weight / size
• How much food you've consumed before drinking
• Your current state of mind (happy, sad, angry)
• Your environment (familiar territory or an unsafe place?)

Risks

Consumption of alcohol is littered with risks. Many short-term risks are indirect, in so-far as they are a result of your behaviour whilst under the influence. This can be anything from being out of control of your actions, falling over, or getting into arguments and fights. One of the most dangerous is passing out, because then there's a chance that you could choke on your own vomit. Not a pleasant or heroic way to go for a cricket star of the future!

Long-term, there are even more severe risks:

• Brain cell damage
• Liver damage
• Cancer of varying types
• Epilepsy
• Stomach ulcers
• Liver damage 

Staying Safe

• Eat a good meal before drinking alcohol
• Don't mix differrent types of alcohol (ie. spirits, beer)
• Know how you're getting home before you need to!
• Drink a pint of water before you go out and before you go to sleep to ease the threat of dehydration.
• NEVER leave a friend alone if they are extremely drunk
• Try to keep them awake
• If they've passed out, put them in the recovery position
• Call an ambulance

Drugs

Drugs are common in all walks of life, whether recognised or not. However, unlike alcohol, they are entirely illegal unless prescribed. Two of the most commonly used forms amongst young people are Cannabis (also know as Marijuana) and Ecstasy (E, MDMA).

Cannabis

Cannabis is a Class C drug meaning it is illegal to possess or supply it. Maximum sentence for possession is 2 years, and for supplying it's 14 years. It's usually smoked, and the effects kick in after a few minutes and last for a few hours.

• It heightens senses when it comes to colours, taste and music, and makes users relaxed and talkative.
• It can also bring on cravings for certain foods

Risks

• Affects short-term memory and the ability to concentrate.
• Getting 'stoned' affects co-ordination and imparis driving skills.
• It can make users paranoid and anxious.
• Use over a long period of time may increase the risk of respiratory problems such as lung cancer.
• Despite claims it is not addictive, many users find it hard to quit.
• There is some research linking cannabis use amongst teenagers to depression and schizophrenia.

For further information about stopping cannabis use, visit cannabishelp.org.uk

Ecstasy

It's an illegal, Class A substance in pill form which is sometimes taken by clubbers on a night out. It carries a heavy penalty if you are caught in possession, and the punishments for supplying (including to a friend) are even more severe.

Risks

• It raises the user's temperature, which combined with strenous activity (such as dancing, sport) can cause serious illness such as heatstroke and severe dehydration.It prevents sleep, a lack of which leaves you feeling exhausted and run down.
• There's also no way of telling what is really in the pill you have taken - it could be full of completely different chemicals.

Below are two case studies on former professional cricketers, both of whom used drugs during their careers. 

If you have problems with drugs and what help or simply more information, call the Drug Information Line on 0800 528 0004, email drug-free@uksport.gov.uk or visit the website 100percentme.co.uk