Episode 7 Do We Really Drink Too Much?

Episode 7 Do We Really Drink Too Much?

Keywords

alcohol, mental health, coping mechanism, personality changes, cultural context, non-alcoholic beverages, Australia, alcohol consumption, health promotion, addiction

Summary

In this conversation, Peter Dowling and Dr. Cathy Owen explore the multifaceted relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health. They discuss the cultural significance of alcohol in Australia, its role as a coping mechanism, and the potential negative impacts on mental health, including chronic depression and personality changes. The conversation also touches on the market dynamics of non-alcoholic beverages and the challenges of promoting healthier drinking habits.

Takeaways

• Alcohol is a legal drug that affects mental health.

• Many Australians enjoy alcohol as part of their culture.

• Alcohol can serve as an anti-anxiety medication.

• Chronic alcohol use can lead to depression.

• Personality changes can occur with alcohol consumption.

• Alcohol is often marketed heavily in Australia.

• Non-alcoholic options are becoming more popular.

• Price dynamics affect the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks.

• Health promotion messages need to be relatable.

• Managing alcohol use is crucial for mental health.

Titles

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Alcohol and Its Impact

05:55The Dark Side of Alcohol Consumption

12:05Cultural Context of Alcohol in Australia

18:07Mental Health and Alcohol Interplay

Questions

If you have a question you would like to hear discussed, please drop us an email at [e-mail]

Resources

Feeling out of sorts? Here are some quality mental health resources:

Lifeline 131114 or online here https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

E-Couch https://ecouch.com.au/

Relationships Australia https://relationships.org.au/

1800Respect 1800737732 or https://www.1800respect.org.au/

National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline [phone]

Headspace for 12-25 https://www.headspace.com/articles/how-to-improve-self-esteem

Kids Helpline for 5-25 https://kidshelpline.com.au/